Working On-Campus: Visa Options For International Students

International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are permitted to work on campus, but only up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. This can include work at an on-campus commercial business, such as a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students. Students with an F-1 visa may also be eligible to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree. However, off-campus employment is only allowed in certain circumstances, such as economic hardship or curricular practical training (CPT).

F-1 visa holders can work on campus

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). F-1 visa holders are allowed to work on campus, but there are strict rules and regulations to follow.

Firstly, F-1 visa holders must show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States and should not plan to work off-campus. Secondly, F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F-1 visa holders, and it does not require USCIS approval.

F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during holidays, annual vacations, and periods when school is not in session. They can work for any qualifying on-campus job that does not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). This includes work for the school directly or for a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. For example, an F-1 student can work for a food service company contracted by the school at school facilities but not for the same company at any off-campus locations.

F-1 visa holders intending to work on campus must also report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number. They must also maintain valid F-1 status and may be required to obtain permission from their school's International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment.

Off-campus work for F-1 visa holders

F-1 visa holders are allowed to work in the United States, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F-1 visa holders, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus employment opportunities are often limited, and students may not rely on them to prove financial resources for the year.

F-1 visa holders may not work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment under three categories:

• Optional Practical Training (OPT): F-1 students can work off-campus during and after completion of their degree in OPT status. OPT can be extended for an additional 17 months, up to a total of 29 months, to allow students to apply for an H1B visa. To be eligible, students must be employed by companies enrolled in the E-Verify program and studying specific subjects.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): F-1 students can work off-campus when the practical training is an integral part of their established curriculum or academic program.
• Severe Economic Hardship: F-1 students may be eligible to work off-campus due to severe economic hardship or special student relief.

To work off-campus, F-1 students must receive prior authorization from USCIS and their school's International Student Office. Additionally, off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) before starting work.

Work for international students in Canada

International students in Canada can work on-campus or off-campus, but they must meet the eligibility criteria. Students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit, as long as they are enrolled in a full-time academic, vocational, or professional training program that is at least six months long and leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate. Students must also have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work off-campus. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of the study permit conditions and can result in losing student status and future permit approvals.

On-campus work includes employment within the buildings or grounds of a school's campus, such as jobs with the school, faculty members, student organizations, or private businesses operating on campus. There is no limit to the number of hours students can work on-campus. Students can also work unlimited hours remotely for an employer based outside of Canada, as long as they comply with their study permit conditions.

International students enrolled in a co-op program at a college or university can apply for a co-op work permit if they have a valid study permit, a letter from their designated learning institution confirming that work placements are necessary for their degree, and if their co-op or internship makes up 50% or less of their total program of study.

Working in Canada as an international student can provide valuable experience, help develop business contacts, and even facilitate immigration to Canada after graduation.

On-campus work rules for F-1 visa holders

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). F-1 visa holders are eligible for on-campus employment, which is the most freely available option, and there are four categories of off-campus employment.

On-campus employment does not require USCIS approval, but opportunities are limited and the income is usually insufficient. F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during holidays, vacations, and periods when school is not in session. However, on-campus employment may not be used as proof of financial resources for the year, and the work must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR).

F-1 students must also maintain valid F-1 status and may be required to obtain permission from their school's International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment. They should also report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number.

Off-campus employment for F-1 visa holders is only authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or special student relief, and it must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official.

Getting a Social Security Number for on-campus work

International students in the US on an F1 visa are allowed to work, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F1 visa holders.

To work on campus, F1 visa holders must follow specific rules. For instance, they can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods if they intend to register for the next academic semester. The employment may not displace a US resident, and the work performed must be directly for the school or an affiliated commercial firm that provides services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria.

To receive a Social Security Number (SSN) while studying in the United States, F1 visa holders must follow these steps:

• Talk with your Designated School Official (DSO) about working and training in the United States. Your DSO will share important information regarding the regulations and requirements for F and M students and confirm whether you are eligible to apply for an SSN.
• Verify that you are in Active status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Your SEVIS record must be in Active status for at least two days before applying for an SSN.
• Wait 10 days after arriving in the United States before applying for an SSN to allow enough time for your arrival information to update in all government systems. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify your nonimmigrant student status and determine if you are eligible for an SSN. You can use the SAVE Case Check to follow the progress of your verification check online.
• Obtain a letter from your TC or Columbia department confirming that you have been offered an on-campus job. The employment letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed by your hiring department, and include your job title, start date, and number of hours you intend to work.
• Submit a Social Security Letter Request to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) via TC-Compass. If you are requesting an SSN based on on-campus employment, you must bring your department letter to the OISS. The OISS will issue a second letter to confirm that you have secured on-campus employment and that you are a full-time student in good standing. An OISS letter is not required if your employment is based on curricular practical training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment.
• Present your certification letter to the Social Security Administration to receive your Social Security Number.

Frequently asked questions