International Students: Work Contracts And Hiring Explained

International students in the US on non-immigrant student visas (F-1 and J-1) are eligible to accept employment under certain conditions. Students on F-1 visas can work on-campus in a job that is either located at their school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location. They can also work for a contractually affiliated company, such as a school bookstore, as long as it provides services to students. F-1 students can also take advantage of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension, which allows them to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. However, they must find a full-time employer and comply with federal laws and regulations. J-1 students receive work authorization in the form of a letter from their institution and are eligible for up to 18 months of work authorization, which can be extended to six years if they continue to work for their employer in the H-1B visa category.

On-campus employment

F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and full-time during school breaks and annual vacations. They must report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number. F-1 students must also show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus.

F-1 students can also work for a contractually affiliated company, such as a school bookstore, as it provides services to students. In the case of off-campus locations, educational affiliation means the location meets one of two criteria: associated with the school's established curriculum or related to contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level.

J-1 students sponsored by the University of Michigan should complete the On-Campus Employment Authorization form to obtain written approval from the International Center. It is possible for an international student to be hired as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) or Research Assistant (RA), and both positions generally receive tuition, a stipend, and university benefits.

International students on F-1 visas can also take advantage of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension, which allows them to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. However, this requires a job related to their field of study and does not include contract work.

Off-campus employment

In addition, F-1 students can work off-campus if they have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which is granted after they have been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year and have demonstrated an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the US. The off-campus employment authorization is valid for one year or until the completion of the program, whichever comes first.

F-1 students can also seek off-campus employment through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows them to gain practical training in their academic field after one year of full-time study. CPT can be full or part-time during the academic year and full-time during breaks and summer vacations. However, students who engage in full-time CPT for 12 months or more will lose their Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit upon graduation. OPT is a work authorization that allows F-1 students to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study for up to 12 months.

For students with STEM degrees, there is an additional 24 months of OPT work authorization available, totaling 36 months. To be eligible for this extension, students must have graduated with an approved STEM degree and find employment related to their field of study. It is important to note that the OPT application process can take up to 3-4 months, so students are advised to apply early.

While contract work is possible on an F-1 visa, it is challenging due to the requirement to maintain an employer-employee relationship. The Green Card and the 12-month initial OPT extension of the F-1 visa are the only visa classes that allow for contract work. Students must also be mindful of their visa status and ensure that they do not breach their visa conditions, such as by being supervised by a client or customer of their employer.

Overall, off-campus employment for international students on an F-1 visa is possible but comes with specific conditions and requirements that must be carefully navigated.

F-1 visa jobs

F-1 visas are for international students who want to enter the US as full-time students at an accredited college, university, school, seminary, conservatory, or academic institution. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and you must be enrolled as a full-time student. Additionally, you must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. You must also have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies and maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up.

F-1 visa students are allowed to work under certain conditions. On-campus employment is the most freely available option and does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus job opportunities are often limited, and many schools require students to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment. F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during annual vacations or when school is not in session.

There are four types of off-campus employment available for F-1 visa students:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This allows F-1 students to gain practical training in their academic field after one year of full-time study. CPT can be full-time or part-time, depending on the institution's policy.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): This is a work authorization that allows F-1 students who have graduated to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study for 12 months. The OPT can be extended for an additional 17 months, totalling 29 months, for students in certain degree programs.
• STEM OPT Extension: F-1 students with approved degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) can apply for an additional 24 months of OPT, totalling 36 months of work authorization.
• Special Situations: F-1 students may be eligible for off-campus employment on a case-by-case basis due to special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief.

It is important to note that F-1 visa students cannot work off-campus during their first academic year. Additionally, all employment must comply with federal laws and regulations, and on-campus employment must not displace US citizens or lawful permanent residents.

OPT extension

International students on an F-1 visa are allowed to work in the US, but they must comply with federal laws and regulations. One way to do this is through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows F-1 students to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study. This can be done before or after completing their academic studies, but the total period of OPT authorization is 12 months.

For students who have graduated with a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is the option to apply for a 24-month extension of the OPT period. To be eligible, students must have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a US Department of Education-accredited institution that is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The degree must be on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, and the student must be employed by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. The student must also have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.

If a student is currently participating in OPT based on a non-STEM degree but has previously earned a STEM degree, they may be able to apply for a STEM OPT extension if the opportunity is directly related to their STEM degree. Students can participate in the STEM OPT extension twice over their academic career if they earn a second qualifying degree at a higher level.

The process of applying for a STEM OPT extension involves the student working with their employer to complete Form I-983, which outlines the training opportunity and its direct relationship to the student's degree. The employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and provide a formal training program that builds on the student's academic learning through practical experience.

It is important to note that while contract work is allowed during the initial 12-month OPT period, it is not permitted during the STEM OPT extension. This means that students cannot work as independent contractors or accept short-term contract jobs during the extension period.

Work visa

International students in the US are usually enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program on either an F-1 or M-1 visa. The type of visa and the student's field of study determine the type of work they can take up and the steps they need to follow.

On-campus employment

F-1 students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during school breaks or annual vacations. On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F-1 students and does not require approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, many schools require students to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment, and they may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year. On-campus employment must be for the school or 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, but only at school facilities, not at off-campus locations.

Off-campus employment

F-1 students may accept off-campus employment after their first academic year. There are four categories of off-campus employment, and any work must be related to the student's area of study and be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS before starting. Off-campus employment includes:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT allows students to be employed during and after their course of study. The duration of CPT depends on the program.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is a type of temporary employment authorization that allows students to work off-campus. Students must apply for OPT before completing their degree. If they leave the country after completing their degree but before receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and obtaining a job, they may not be readmitted. F-1 students with qualifying STEM degrees can apply for an additional 24 months of employment, with an initial 12 months of OPT and an additional 17 months for a total of 29 months.
• H-1B visa: This visa allows international students to work in the US temporarily. However, it requires an employer-employee relationship, which can be challenging for those seeking contract work.

In summary, while international students in the US on F-1 or M-1 visas have several options for on-campus and off-campus employment, they must carefully navigate visa regulations and comply with federal laws and guidelines to maintain their status while working.

Frequently asked questions