Upwork For International Students: Opt Work Options

International students in the US can work on Upwork during OPT, but only if the work is directly related to their field of study. OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is a type of work authorization that allows international students to work in the US temporarily after graduation. It is authorized by the US government and requires graduates to certify full-time employment in a field related to their degree. To ensure legality while freelancing on OPT, it is important to keep detailed records of all work and to ensure that all work is related to the student's academic major.

Freelancing on OPT: Allowed, but must be related to the field of study

International students in the US can work as freelancers during their Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is authorized by the US government and allows for full-time work after graduation. However, there are specific requirements that must be met to maintain legal status and avoid risking your visa.

Firstly, freelancing work must be directly related to the student's major field of study and commensurate with their degree level. This is a crucial requirement, as any freelancing work outside of the student's field of study may be considered unauthorized employment, which can result in severe consequences for the student's visa status. Students must also ensure that their freelancing work does not violate any labor laws.

Secondly, students must maintain a minimum number of working hours. OPT participants are typically required to work at least 20 hours per week, and periods with less than 20 hours of work will be counted towards unemployment accrual. During the COVID-19 emergency, this requirement was temporarily waived, and students working fewer than 20 hours per week were still considered engaged in OPT. It is important to stay updated with the latest requirements and guidelines.

Additionally, it is recommended that students keep detailed records of their OPT experience and employment. This includes information such as employer details, hours worked per week, and any other relevant documentation. These records can be crucial in proving compliance with OPT requirements and maintaining legal status.

While freelancing on OPT is allowed, it is important to proceed with caution. Students should consult with their school's international student services office or an advisor to ensure they comply with institutional policies and processes. The consequences of unauthorized employment can be severe, including the loss of visa status and potential bans on re-entering the US. Therefore, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to ensure legality while freelancing on OPT.

F-1 Visa: No off-campus work, except with OPT or CPT authorisation

An F-1 visa does not allow international students to work off-campus, except with OPT or CPT authorisation. OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, which is authorised by the US government and allows for full-time work after graduation. CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training, which is authorised by the student's university and allows for part-time or full-time work during a student's program. Both require students to have a job lined up before starting the authorisation request process, except for OPT, which can be applied for without having secured a job.

International students on an F-1 visa can work on campus, but only with authorisation and only part-time during classes and full-time during breaks. Working on campus means for an employer located on campus, not just that you're in the campus library.

If you are an international student on an F-1 visa and want to work off-campus, you can use OPT or CPT. OPT can be used for freelancing, but only if the work is related to your academic major. CPT cannot be used for freelance work because it must be tied to a specific employer.

If you are considering freelancing on OPT, it is important to take the right steps to avoid risking your visa status. The penalty for working illegally in the US is severe. You may lose your student visa, be unable to get another visa in the future, and be banned from re-entering the US for three or ten years. To ensure legality while freelancing on OPT, keep detailed records of all work, including employer information, hours per week, and portal updates.

International students can use websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com to find freelance jobs. However, it is recommended to save OPT until after graduation if possible and consider other options for gaining work experience, such as an on-campus job or an internship through the CPT program.

Pre-completion OPT: Part-time (up to 20 hours) or full-time (21+ hours) work

Pre-completion OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies. However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

Pre-completion OPT can be authorized for part-time work (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time work (21 hours or more per week). The number of authorized hours depends on the request submitted in the OPT application and is reflected in the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Pre-completion OPT can be paid or unpaid training related to the student's major field of study. Students may work for multiple employers, including short-term gigs, self-employment, contract work, or work for hire, as long as the cumulative number of hours is within the authorized limit.

During the COVID-19 emergency, students engaging in OPT were considered to be participating in OPT even if they worked fewer than 20 hours per week. Additionally, students on post-completion OPT are required to work at least 20 hours per week, and they can work full-time up to 40 hours per week in total.

It is important to note that OPT used during studies will reduce the OPT available after graduation. Without an employer-sponsored job already lined up to get another visa, international students will have to leave the US within 60 days of their academic program ending. To ensure legality while freelancing on OPT, all work must be related to the student's academic major, and detailed records must be kept.

Post-completion OPT: Full-time work (20+ hours) with no more than 90 days of unemployment

International students in the US have two work authorization options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT cannot be used for freelance work, but OPT can be used for freelancing after the first year of school. OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.

Post-completion OPT requires students to work at least 20 hours per week or full-time (20+ hours). Federal law limits how long F-1 students on post-completion OPT can be unemployed to 90 days. This means that students must begin engaging in at least 20 hours per week of activities related to their degree to avoid exceeding 90 days of unemployment during OPT. Students may work for multiple employers, provided that the work is directly related to their program of study.

To ensure legality while freelancing on OPT, all work must be related to the student's academic major. Students can use websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com to find freelance jobs. It is recommended to keep detailed records of all work, including employer information, hours worked per week, and other relevant details.

It is important to note that the penalty for working illegally in the US is severe. Working without authorization can result in losing one's student visa, facing difficulties in obtaining future visas, and even being banned from re-entering the US for a certain period. Therefore, it is advisable to seek proper authorization and comply with all requirements to maintain one's student status while engaging in OPT or any other form of employment as an international student.

STEM OPT: Extension of up to 24 months, but no freelancing allowed

International students in the US have two work authorization options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT cannot be used for freelance work because it must be tied to a specific employer. OPT may be used for freelance work, but only after the first year of school.

During the first academic year, no off-campus work authorization will be granted. Students can, however, freelance part-time (up to 20 hours a week) for up to 12 months using pre-completion OPT. Nevertheless, this is not recommended because if they use all their allotted OPT during their studies, they will not be able to use OPT after graduation. Without an employer-sponsored job already lined up to get another visa, they will have to leave the US within 60 days of their academic program ending.

Post-completion OPT can be used for freelancing, and students can work full-time for up to 40 hours a week. To ensure legality while freelancing on OPT, all work must be related to the student's academic major. Students can use websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com to find freelance jobs.

Certain F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. However, it is important to note that students cannot freelance on the STEM OPT extension. This extension effectively replaced the previous 17-month STEM OPT extension. To qualify for the 24-month extension, students must have a degree in an eligible STEM field from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified school that is accredited when they submit their STEM OPT extension application.

DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List includes all STEM fields qualifying an F-1 student for a STEM OPT extension. STEM fields include engineering, biological sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, or a related field. Students can benefit from an additional 60 days of unemployment during the 24-month STEM OPT extension period, in addition to the initial 90-day maximum period of unemployment.

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