Extending Time In The Us: Options For F1 Students

Foreign students on F-1 visas in the United States are permitted to work on-campus part-time during the academic year and full-time during breaks. They can also apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work off-campus in a job related to their field of study for up to 12 months. The F-1 visa is typically issued for up to five years, but this period can vary depending on the student's nationality. To stay in the US after their F-1 visa expires, students can apply for an extension through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), change their visa status, or transfer to another school.

F-1 Visa holders can work on-campus part-time during the academic year

On-campus employment is typically defined as work performed on the school's premises directly for the school or for commercial firms that provide services to students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria. It is important to note that employment with commercial firms must directly provide services to students to qualify as on-campus employment.

To be eligible for on-campus employment, F-1 students must demonstrate that they meet certain criteria. Firstly, they must show that they are unable to secure on-campus employment or that the pay from available on-campus employment is insufficient to meet their financial needs. Additionally, students must prove that working will not adversely impact their ability to attend school full-time and maintain good academic standing. F-1 students must also provide evidence of economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, such as loss of financial aid, substantial fluctuations in currency exchange rates, unexpected changes in their source of financial support, or medical bills.

Before starting any on-campus employment, F-1 students must obtain authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and, in some cases, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO will provide the student with a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility", which must be endorsed for on-campus employment. The student must then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and pay a fee to USCIS within 30 days of the DSO's endorsement. If the application is approved, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), and can begin their on-campus part-time work during the academic year.

Students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work off-campus

F-1 students can extend their time in the US by applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work off-campus. OPT is a type of work permit that allows students to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study. It is available for eligible F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year at an SEVP-certified school and intend to register for classes in the following academic term.

To apply for OPT, students must first request a recommendation from their Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing the student's Form I-20, "Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Once the DSO has recommended OPT, students can then file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form must be accompanied by the required fee and supporting documentation. Students should be mindful of the deadlines for filing Form I-765, as any delays can impact the start date of their OPT.

After submitting the application, students must wait for approval from USCIS before beginning their OPT. If approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with a start date. Students must not commence working before this date.

It is important to note that F-1 students who transfer to another school or begin studies at a different educational level will have their authorization to engage in OPT employment terminated. Additionally, students on post-completion OPT are expected to be employed and can only remain unemployed for a total of 90 days.

Certain F-1 students with science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degrees may also be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. To qualify, students must have earned their degrees from accredited and SEVP-certified institutions, and the practical training opportunity must be directly related to their STEM degree.

Students must complete a full academic year at an SEVP-certified school to be eligible for annual vacation

F-1 students must complete a full academic year at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school to be eligible for annual vacation. This means that, once they have completed one full academic year, they are eligible to take an annual vacation and then one every year after that. This annual vacation differs from a school break, which is a short period of time during a school term, usually during a U.S. holiday, spring break, or winter break.

F-1 students can take their annual vacation during any academic term, but it is most frequently taken during the summer. Before taking an annual vacation, F-1 students should speak with their designated school official (DSO) to confirm their eligibility. The DSO will sign the student's Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," if they plan to travel outside of the United States.

During an annual vacation, F-1 students can take as many, as few, or no courses as they like. However, they must intend to register for classes in the academic term following their annual vacation. F-1 students can only work during their annual vacation if they have been authorized to do so by a DSO or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If they choose to work without authorization, they will be forced to leave the United States immediately and may not be able to re-enter in the future.

If F-1 students are unable to meet the program completion date on their Form I-20, they may be granted an extension by the DSO if they have continually maintained their status and if the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons. Students may also request a program extension by contacting SEVP by email at [email protected].

Students can transfer to another school or change their education level to extend their stay

F-1 students can extend their stay in the US by transferring to another school or changing their education level. F-1 students are those who enrol in traditional academic programs in the US and are distinct from M-1 students, who enrol in vocational programs.

To transfer to another school, students must apply to another SEVP-certified school, receive acceptance, and transfer within the deadlines. There is no requirement to complete a term before applying for a transfer, but students must be attending classes and maintaining their status up to the time of the request for transfer. The student's DSO at the transfer-out school must determine that the other SEVP-certified school has accepted the student. The student's SEVIS record will then be transferred, and they will retain the same SEVIS ID number.

F-1 students can also extend their stay by changing their education level, for example, moving from a bachelor's to a master's program. The student's DSO uses the Change Education Level link to create a new Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The new program start date must occur within five months of completing the current program.

Students can apply to change their visa status to remain in the US

F-1 and M-1 visas are nonimmigrant visas for international students who want to pursue traditional academic programs or vocational programs in the United States. F-1 and M-1 students share the same primary purpose for coming to the United States, but the types of benefits an international student may be eligible for and how long they may remain in the country depend on the type of visa they hold.

F-1 students must complete at least one full academic year at an SEVP-certified school to be eligible for annual vacation. They are also eligible for curricular practical training (CPT) at either the undergraduate or graduate level during their program of study. CPT employment must be an integral part of an established curriculum and the position must directly relate to the student's major area of study. F-1 students are also eligible for optional practical training (OPT) during or after their program of study. OPT is a form of temporary employment that directly relates to their program of study.

M-1 students are not eligible for employment during their program of study, but they may obtain authorization for practical training employment after completing their vocational program.

If you are an F or M student studying in the United States, your designated school official (DSO) should be the first person you talk to if you have any questions regarding the legal requirements of your stay in the United States. Your DSO can assist in answering your questions or help you find someone who can help. F-1 students should speak with their DSO if they are planning to change their major, program, or degree level. M-1 students should speak with their DSO if they are planning to take a break from school, travel outside the United States, move to a new address, or request a program extension.

Both F and M students may contact SEVP by email at [email protected] if their DSO is unable to assist them or if they would prefer to ask someone else. In their email, they should describe their situation and include any questions they have. SEVP provides responses on a first-come, first-served basis.

F and M students must take action to maintain legal status or depart the United States after completing their program of study. Once they have completed their program of study and any authorized period of practical training, F students have 60 days after the completion of their program (the program end date on their Form I-20) to leave the United States. If they wish to extend their stay in the United States, they can talk to their DSO about their options, including transferring to another school or changing their education level (e.g., from a bachelor's to a master's degree). Students can also apply to change their visa status to another nonimmigrant status, such as H-1B (temporary worker), O (extraordinary ability in science, art, or business), or P (athlete).

M students have 30 days after the completion of their program (the program end date on their Form I-20) to leave the United States. The latest date they may remain in the United States is the "admit until" date on their Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record," unless they filed for an extension with USCIS.

If your current nonimmigrant status will expire more than 30 days before your M-1 program start date and you wish to remain in the United States until your start date, you must find a way to obtain status up to the date that is 30 days before your program start date (a process known as "bridging the gap"). For most people, this will involve filing a separate Form I-539 to request to extend your current status or change to another nonimmigrant status, in addition to your other Form I-539 application to change to student status. If you do not file this separate request before your status expires, USCIS will deny your Form I-539 request to change to M-1 status.

Note that M-1 students may not change to F status while in the United States. Due to processing times, you may need to request that your DSO defer the F-1 program start date to the following academic term or semester because USCIS may not make a decision on your Form I-539 change of status application before your originally intended F-1 program start date. If your COS application is approved, your change of status to F-1 will be effective as of the date of approval. You are not required to obtain status all the way up to the date that is 30 days before your program start date ("bridge the gap"), provided that your nonimmigrant status is unexpired at the time of filing the change of status to F-1 application, and you otherwise remain eligible for a change of status.

Individuals in a nonimmigrant status that prohibits enrolling in school must first acquire F-1 or M-1 status. Enrolling in a course of study while in a status that does not permit such activity will result in a status violation. Individuals who have violated their nonimmigrant status by enrolling in a course of study are not eligible to extend their status or change to F-1 or M-1 status.

If you are in the United States in a valid nonimmigrant status for a purpose other than attending school and wish to change your nonimmigrant status to a student status while remaining in the United States, you must meet certain criteria and submit an application with USCIS to change your status. In general, you may apply to change your nonimmigrant status while remaining in the United States if you were lawfully admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant status.

If you are from a country where no visa is required, such as Canada, you may proceed directly to a U.S. port of entry or a U.S. pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station and apply for admission to the United States as an F-1 or M-1 student. Once admitted by an immigration officer in F-1 or M-1 status, you may begin your studies.

Frequently asked questions