Working For Free: International Students' Plight

International students often seek employment opportunities to gain experience and earn money while studying abroad. Working for free, or as a volunteer, is a type of employment that may be subject to different regulations than paid work. In the United States, international students on F-1 visas are generally allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. Off-campus work, including remote work, is typically forbidden during the first year of study. After the first year, proper work authorization is required for off-campus employment, including unpaid internships and volunteer positions. Similar regulations exist in Canada, where international students can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet other requirements.

Working remotely for a non-US company

As an international student in the US, you may be considering working remotely for a non-US company to gain experience and earn money. While remote work can open up a world of opportunities, it is important to understand the legal requirements to ensure you maintain your student visa status.

Firstly, it is essential to know that any work performed on US soil, including remote work for a non-US company, requires proper US work authorization. Most international students in the US hold F-1 visas, which allow for part-time, on-campus work without additional authorization. However, off-campus employment, including remote work, is generally forbidden during the first year of study. After the first year, F-1 students will need work authorization for off-campus jobs, including remote work for US or non-US companies.

There are two main work authorization options for international students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT allows students to participate in paid and unpaid internships during their degree program, provided the internship is relevant to their field of study. OPT enables students to work before or after graduation in jobs related to their major. Both CPT and OPT can be used for remote work with non-US companies, but students must adhere to weekly hour restrictions.

Freelancing is another option for international students, but it is considered self-employment and requires work authorization. With proper authorization, freelancing is allowed for both US and non-US companies, and students can work for multiple clients while adhering to OPT hour limits.

It is important to note that working illegally in the US can result in severe consequences, including losing your student visa and facing difficulties obtaining future visas. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and follow the legal requirements for remote work with non-US companies while maintaining your student visa status.

Work authorization for international students

International students in the US on F-1 visas are only authorized to work on campus unless they get additional work authorization. This includes remote work for a US or non-US company. Off-campus employment, including remote work, is generally forbidden during the first year of study. After their first year, F-1 students will need proper work authorization to work remotely. This includes unpaid work such as internships and some volunteer positions.

There are two work authorization 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 this is not recommended because if you use all your allotted OPT during your studies, you cannot use OPT after graduation. During school, you can freelance part-time (up to 20 hours a week) for up to 12 months using pre-completion OPT. Post-completion OPT can be used for freelancing full-time, up to 40 hours a week.

To ensure legality while freelancing on OPT, all work must be related to your academic major. International students can use websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com to find freelance jobs. Companies in the US and abroad post opportunities in a variety of industries.

F-1 students may also be eligible for off-campus employment in the case of severe economic hardship, including unexpected circumstances such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, or emergent circumstances such as natural disasters, wars, or international financial crises.

On-campus jobs for international students

International students in the US on F-1 visas are only authorized to work on campus unless they obtain additional work authorization. This is good news for international students, as on-campus jobs are plentiful and come with many benefits.

Where to Find On-Campus Jobs

On-campus jobs are often advertised on college online job boards, on flyers posted around campus, or on physical job boards in central locations like the student center. You can also try going to places you might like to work, such as the library, cafeteria, or campus box office, and asking if they're hiring.

Eligibility

On-campus jobs are open to international students, and you can apply at any time during your academic program. You can even work multiple jobs, as long as they do not total more than 20 hours per week. However, the exact policies about on-campus work for international students vary by school, so be sure to contact your school's international student services office for more information.

Examples of On-Campus Jobs

• Working for a company that contracts with your school to serve students directly, such as a food service company
• Working for a contractually affiliated company, such as a school bookstore
• Working as a social media coordinator for the school's career center

Additional Information

On-campus jobs do not require any additional work authorization or paperwork for students on F-1 visas. A valid I-20 document is all you need to confirm your eligibility to work on campus.

Off-campus employment authorization

International students on F-1 visas are only authorized to work on campus unless they get additional work authorization. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment, but it must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO is the person authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year. Students must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and pay a fee to USCIS. If approved, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document," (EAD) and can begin working off-campus. This authorization is valid for one year, after which the student must re-apply.

There are two work authorization 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, but it is recommended to save OPT until after graduation if possible, as this allows students to stay in the US longer. During school, students can freelance part-time (up to 20 hours a week) for up to 12 months using pre-completion OPT. Post-completion OPT can be used for freelancing full-time (up to 40 hours a week).

International students and freelancing

International students in the US on F-1 visas are only authorised to work on campus unless they get additional work authorisation. This includes freelancing, which is considered a type of self-employment. However, freelancing is allowed with pre-graduation and post-graduation OPT (Optional Practical Training), and you can even freelance for companies outside the US.

To ensure legality while freelancing on OPT, all work must be related to your academic major. It's also important to keep detailed records of all work. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com can be used to find freelance jobs.

International students must also take some preliminary steps with their schools before pursuing paid writing opportunities. For example, if you are an MBA student, you may want to consult for local startups in person. If you are a design student, you may want to take on a web design project remotely for a client in the US.

Additionally, if you have a qualifying STEM major, you can extend post-completion OPT for up to 24 more months. However, you cannot freelance on the STEM OPT extension, so use your year of doing freelance work on OPT after graduation to secure an eligible job.

Frequently asked questions