Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the United States on F-1 visas are permitted to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school year and can work full-time during breaks, including summer and winter holidays. Students can also work off-campus after their first academic year, provided the work is related to their area of study and has been authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS. Students can also apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows them to gain work experience in their field of study, but this may affect their eligibility for OPT.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Work eligibility | F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and STEM OPT. M-1 students must have off-campus training employment related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS. |
| Work hours | F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and may work full-time during university holidays, including winter and summer breaks. |
| Social Security Number | A Social Security Number (SSN) is required for employment and can be obtained through an online application. |
| Documentation | Required documentation includes a passport, F-1 visa, I-94 number, Form I-20, and a letter from the International Student Services Office confirming eligibility to work. |
| Employment Authorization | Students must maintain a full course load and valid documentation to work on campus. Off-campus work may require specific permission from the International Student Services Office (ISSO) and employment authorization from USCIS. |
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What You'll Learn
- F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week
- Off-campus work requires permission from the International Student Services Office
- Students must maintain full-time status and valid documentation to work
- CPT is an off-campus employment option for F1 students, requiring prior approval
- OPT is work authorization for up to one year, requiring F-1 status
F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week
International students in the United States with an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week. This rule applies only when school is in session and classes are ongoing. During holiday breaks and vacations, F-1 visa holders can work full-time, which is up to 40 hours per week.
To be eligible for on-campus employment, F-1 visa students must be enrolled full-time in an academic program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. The student's school must also be authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students.
On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by USCIS regulations, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, although F1 status includes an on-campus employment privilege, on-campus employment opportunities at most schools are limited. F-1 visa holders are also subject to specific rules regarding on-campus work. For instance, the employment may not displace or take a job away from a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).
F-1 visa holders interested in off-campus employment must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization. Off-campus work authorization requires case-by-case approval from USCIS. To be eligible, students must demonstrate that working will not adversely affect their ability to attend school full-time and maintain academic standing.
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Off-campus work requires permission from the International Student Services Office
International students in the United States on F-1 visas are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session, and up to 40 hours per week during university holidays, including winter and summer breaks. However, off-campus work is subject to stricter regulations and requires specific permission from the International Student Services Office (ISSO) or DSO (Designated School Official), as well as employment authorization from the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
To be eligible for off-campus employment, students must demonstrate that working will not negatively impact their ability to attend school full-time and maintain their academic standing. Additionally, they must provide evidence of severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. This authorization is typically valid for one year, and students must reapply for continued employment authorization at least six months before the authorization expires.
F-1 students can also apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is an off-campus employment option when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. CPT can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience directly related to the student's field of study. Prior authorization from the International Student Office and notification to the USCIS are required for CPT.
Another option for off-campus employment is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and does not require a job offer beforehand. However, students must maintain lawful F1 status and work closely with their school's International Student Office to obtain permission.
In summary, while international students on F-1 visas have the opportunity to work both on- and off-campus, off-campus work requires careful adherence to regulations and authorization from the appropriate authorities, including the International Student Services Office, to maintain their visa status and avoid legal repercussions.
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Students must maintain full-time status and valid documentation to work
Students with an F-1 visa are allowed to enter the United States as full-time students at an accredited college, university, school, seminary, conservatory, or academic institution. To maintain their F-1 status, students cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization. Students must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and their school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students.
For F-1 students, on-campus employment is an option, but their total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. They may work full-time during periods when school is not in session or during annual breaks. To work off-campus, F-1 students must first complete an academic year and have active F-1 status. This off-campus work must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
Students with an M-1 visa are in a vocational or non-academic program. They must also maintain full-time status when school is in session. Any off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option for F-1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. CPT can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. Prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to USCIS are required. CPT authorization specifies whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment.
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CPT is an off-campus employment option for F1 students, requiring prior approval
International students in the United States on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is one such off-campus employment option for F1 students. CPT employment is defined as "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school".
To qualify for CPT, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. Prior authorization by your school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required. Students must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT). CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States.
To obtain CPT authorization, students must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization and then work with the Designated School Official (DSO) to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. The DSO will determine if the student qualifies for CPT and will enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The DSO will then print the supporting Form I-20, sign it, and give it to the student. CPT requires a signed cooperative agreement or a letter from the employer. Students can work on CPT either full-time or part-time.
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OPT is work authorization for up to one year, requiring F-1 status
F-1 students often want to work, but employment opportunities are limited, and strict rules apply. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT allows students to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study.
OPT is a benefit of an F-1 student's status and extends their ability to remain in the United States for the purpose of seeking employment in their field of study. OPT is available for up to one year, and students must apply for continued employment authorization six or more months before the authorization expires. While on OPT, students are required to report any changes in employment or interruption of employment to their Designated School Official (DSO).
To apply for OPT, a DSO recommends OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and it is the student who must apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If the OPT is approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The student must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.
There are two types of OPT: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. Pre-completion OPT allows students to work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full time when school is not in session. To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, students must have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enrol F-1 students. Post-completion OPT requires students to work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full time.
It is important to note that working in the United States without authorization has serious consequences, including removal from the country and re-entry bars. Therefore, students must carefully follow all guidelines and requirements for OPT to maintain their F-1 status and avoid any adverse effects on their ability to remain in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
International students with an F-1 visa can work full-time on campus during breaks (like summer or winter holidays). They can also work off-campus full-time with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.
CPT authorization allows international students to gain work experience in their field of study. CPT differs from on-campus employment as it requires students to find a job related to their field of study or one that their school deems to be complementary to their curriculum. To get CPT authorization, students must be enrolled for at least one academic year before becoming eligible (unless they are a graduate student whose program requires it immediately). CPT must be approved by both the academic advisor and the ISS.
Students with an F-1 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during the school year on campus. During the summer, they can work up to 40 hours per week on campus without CPT authorization, provided their university allows it.
Students with an M-1 visa can work off-campus full-time, but the work must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
