Lana Oconnell
International students in the US on an F1 visa are not permitted to work as freelancers without additional work authorization. F1 visas are single intent visas, meaning they are intended for education only and not for pursuing work in the US. International students are only authorized to work on-campus unless they get additional work authorization. This means that freelancing or any other form of self-employment is prohibited according to US immigration laws. However, after the first year of school, students can use Optional Practical Training (OPT) to perform freelance work that is directly related to their field of study.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freelancing on F-1 visas allowed? | International students cannot freelance without additional work authorization. |
| Work authorization options | Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) |
| CPT | Must be tied to a specific employer |
| OPT | May be used for freelance work after the first year of school |
| Work hours | Up to 20 hours a week during the academic semester |
| Work hours during breaks | Up to 40 hours a week |
What You'll Learn
Freelancing is considered self-employment
International students on F-1 visas are only authorised to work on campus unless they get additional work authorisation. This means that freelancing or any other form of self-employment is prohibited according to US immigration laws. However, there are two work authorisation options for international students: 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 after the first year of school, but it will count against your 12 months of allotted OPT time, so it is generally not recommended.
If you are planning to pursue self-employment, make sure to speak to your Designated School Official (DSO) as they will help you with the paperwork.
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F-1 students can work on campus for up to 20 hours a week
F-1 students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours a week, allowing them to earn an income while studying. This work must take place either at their school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location. On-campus employment includes jobs with the school itself, such as in a cafeteria or bookstore, or with commercial firms located on school premises, like a food service company contracted by the school.
F-1 students can also work for off-campus employers that are educationally affiliated with the school, such as a research lab or professor at an off-campus research facility. However, this type of work must still be considered part of their on-campus employment and must not exceed the 20-hour weekly limit.
It's important to note that F-1 students cannot work for companies that are not contractually affiliated with their school, even if the work is done on school property. For example, they cannot work for a construction company, even if the job site is on campus. Additionally, F-1 students must ensure that their on-campus employment does not displace US citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Before starting on-campus work, F-1 students should receive a certification letter from their Designated School Official (DSO), which they will need to present to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security number. The DSO is also responsible for counselling students on maintaining their F-1 status, tax and Social Security implications, and reporting any changes in employment and hours worked.
F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and can work full-time during school vacations. However, they must stop their on-campus employment once they complete their studies.
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Off-campus work is forbidden in the first year
On-campus employment must take place either at your school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location. This means that the work must be directly providing services for students. For example, working at a university bookstore or cafeteria would count as on-campus employment. However, construction work on campus would not qualify as on-campus employment.
There are two types of work authorisation for international students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT cannot be used for freelance work, as it must be tied to a specific employer. OPT may be used for freelance work after the first year of school. It is important to note that no off-campus work authorisation will be granted during the first academic year.
If an F1 student is found to be working without permission, their SEVIS record will be terminated, and they will have to leave the United States immediately. They may also be banned from re-entering the country for three or ten years.
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F-1 students need work authorization for off-campus work
F-1 students need prior work authorization for off-campus work. This is because F-1 visas are only issued to full-time students who have proven that they have the financial ability to pay for their tuition and living expenses while studying in the US.
There are two types of off-campus work authorizations available to F-1 students: 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 after the first year of school. No off-campus work authorization will be granted during the first academic year.
To apply for off-campus work authorization, students must first discuss their intention to work with their Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO will then determine if the student is eligible for off-campus work and, if so, recommend them for a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status". Once the student has the new Form I-20, they must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days of receiving their recommendation. If approved, USCIS will send the student a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document", with the dates that they may work off-campus.
It is important to note that F-1 students cannot begin working while the Form I-765 is pending with USCIS. Additionally, any off-campus work must be related to the student's area of study.
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OPT and CPT are two work authorization options
OPT and CPT: Two Work Authorization Options
International students on F-1 visas in the US have two work authorization options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Both programs allow students to gain practical work experience in their field of study, but there are key differences between the two.
CPT
CPT is a temporary work authorization program that allows international students on F-1 visas to work off-campus during their academic program. To be eligible, students must have completed at least one full academic year of study and have a valid job or internship offer that is directly related to their field of study. The job or internship must also satisfy an integral component of the student's academic program and start and end before the end of the program. Graduate students whose programs require an internship or practicum in their first year may be eligible for CPT before completing a full year of study.
CPT can be part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (up to 40 hours per week), and there is no set limit on how much CPT a student can use. However, 12 months of full-time CPT will make a student ineligible for OPT before or after graduation. Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility. CPT does not require students to apply for employment authorization through USCIS, and there are no additional fees outside of student visa requirements and tuition.
OPT
OPT is a temporary work authorization program that allows F-1 students from accredited colleges or universities to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. Students can use pre-completion OPT to work off-campus during their academic program or post-completion OPT once they graduate. OPT can be used for up to 12 months at each education level, and students can only work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have completed at least one full academic year of study and seek a job related to their major. There is no requirement for the work to be integral to the student's academic program, as is the case with CPT. Students do not need a job offer to apply for OPT, and they can apply and look for a job while waiting for approval. However, the OPT application process involves additional steps and fees compared to CPT.
In conclusion, while both CPT and OPT provide valuable work authorization options for international students on F-1 visas, they differ in terms of eligibility requirements, work timing, authorization requirements, and application fees. CPT is primarily for internships before graduation, while OPT offers more flexibility and can be used before or after graduation. Students can strategically use both programs to maximize their work experience and extend the length of their F-1 visa.
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