Lori Meadows
International students in the US can work on-campus and off-campus, but they must follow visa regulations and obtain proper work authorizations. F-1 visa holders, for example, can work on campus and are eligible for off-campus work authorization through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT provides work experience related to the student's field of study, while OPT is a temporary work authorization that allows certain kinds of work related to the student's major. J-1 visa holders are also generally eligible to work, with some allowed to work part-time during their program and up to 18 months following graduation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of visa | F-1 (Academic Student) or M-1 (Vocational Student) |
| Eligibility for F-1 visa | Enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate |
| School accreditation for F-1 visa | School must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students |
| Employment during the first academic year | On-campus employment only, up to 20 hours per week |
| Off-campus employment eligibility | After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) |
| OPT eligibility | Must be enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status |
| OPT duration | One year, with a possible extension of two years for STEM fields |
| Social Security Number requirement | Required for on-campus and off-campus employment |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa requirements
International students in the United States typically hold an F1 visa, a non-immigrant visa that allows them to work in the country under specific conditions and guidelines set by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) enables international students to enter the US as full-time students at accredited academic institutions or language training programs. To obtain an F-1 visa, prospective international students must meet several requirements:
Institution Certification:
The college or university where the student plans to study must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The institution should be authorized by the US government to accept foreign students.
Full-Time Enrollment:
Students must be enrolled full-time at the institution while the academic term is in session. They must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
English Language Proficiency:
International students must meet the required English language proficiency score set by the institution or enroll in courses to improve their English proficiency.
Sufficient Funding:
Students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their school and living expenses during their stay in the US. They should not plan to work off-campus to fund their studies.
Valid Passport:
The student's passport should be valid for US travel for at least six months after their program completion date. They must also have a residence in their home country to return to after completing their degree.
Visa Application Process:
The F-1 visa application process involves completing the DS-160 visa application form, scheduling and attending a visa interview, and submitting supporting documents. These documents include the I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), proof of sufficient funds, a valid passport, travel itinerary, and a photo that meets the specified requirements. The visa interview can be conducted at a US embassy or consulate, and applicants should schedule their appointment as early as possible.
It is important to note that F-1 students are generally not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in certain types of off-campus employment, such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), but this requires prior authorization from USCIS and the student's International Student Office. On-campus employment opportunities are more readily available and do not require USCIS approval.
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On-campus employment
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option for international students, 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.
International students in valid F1 status can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during breaks when classes are not in session. Students can work on campus without prior authorization from their designated school official (DSO). However, they will need a Social Security number (SSN) to get a job on campus.
On-campus jobs can include roles such as a night desk attendant in a residence hall or a tutor at the Learning Center. To be a tutor, you will need to get a recommendation from an advisor to prove you have the academic knowledge for the course(s) you will be tutoring.
It is important to note that working in the US as an international student without proper authorization can have serious repercussions, including deportation. Students found working illegally are failing to maintain their F-1 student status and risk losing their F-1 student status and having their F-1 visa revoked.
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Off-campus employment
F-1 students must also show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States and should not plan to work off-campus. To apply for off-campus employment, students must explain their economic hardship situation and receive approval from their Designated School Official (DSO). If approved, the DSO will provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status". Students must then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) within 30 days of receiving their recommendation. If approved, the USCIS will send a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), specifying the dates the student may work off-campus.
There are several categories of off-campus employment for F-1 students, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT 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". CPT employment must be an integral part of the student's degree program or a requirement for a course for which they receive academic credit. Prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to the USCIS are required. OPT, on the other hand, allows students to work off-campus in a job related to their field of study, either before or after graduation, under certain conditions.
It is important to note that working in the US as an international student without proper authorization can have serious repercussions, including deportation and revocation of the F-1 visa. Students must comply with federal laws and regulations when seeking employment and should consult their DSO and International Student Office to understand their work eligibility and ensure they file all appropriate forms.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
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 the completion of their degree. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, including "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."
CPT is only available before the completion of a degree program, and students must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program, and students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT. Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, 8 credit hours for graduate students, and 6 credit hours for Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student Research Assistants. Most students have to limit their CPT during the academic year to local jobs or working remotely for their employer, usually on a part-time basis.
Full-time CPT is defined as employment for more than 20 hours per week. 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). During the final term of study, students must be enrolled at the University of Michigan and physically present on campus to comply with F-1 requirements. For an optional (non-required) CPT in the final term, students cannot only be enrolled in the designated CPT course; they must also enroll in a separate in-person course.
CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States. For example, a summer internship in a student's home country does not need CPT authorization. Students must apply for work authorization by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee. USCIS will send an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) upon approving the petition.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after completing their degrees. 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 to F-1 students who are enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program at a college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution approved by the US government to accept foreign students.
To apply for OPT, students must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization recognized by the International Organization Immunities Act. They then need to work with their Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO will enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and provide the student with a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." The student must then submit a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with a filing fee to USCIS. USCIS will issue the EAD upon approving the application, and students must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.
It is important to note that OPT employment requires prior authorization from both USCIS and the student's school's International Student Office. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but they cannot begin employment until they have received their EAD and have been enrolled for at least one year. Additionally, OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and can be full-time or part-time, as long as the student maintains their full-time student status when school is in session.
There are two types of OPT: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. For pre-completion OPT, students may work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session. For post-completion OPT, students must work at least part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time. The total time of full-time OPT available is reduced by the amount of pre-completion OPT authorized. Additionally, students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT.
It is crucial to follow the rules and guidelines established by USCIS for OPT, as working without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country and reentry bars.
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Frequently asked questions
To work as an international student in the US, you will need a non-immigrant student visa. These are commonly known as F and M visas. F-1 visas are for academic students enrolled in an accredited college, university, or other academic institutions. M-1 visas are for vocational students.
F-1 visa holders can only work on-campus part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the first academic year. After the first year, F-1 students can engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and STEM OPT Extension. CPT is a required part of your school's curriculum that gives you practical experience in your major. OPT allows you to work in areas related to your major for up to one year before or after graduation.
To apply for CPT, you must make an appointment with your university's Designated School Official (DSO) or International Student Services to determine your eligibility. For OPT, you must apply through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and obtain authorization from your school's International Student Office. You can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but you will need to receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS before starting work.
