Working In Summer: International Students' Guide

International students in the U.S. have several options for working during the summer, although there may be restrictions depending on their immigration status. Students with an F-1 visa may be eligible to work part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer using Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Those in their final semester may also be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which provides up to 12 months of post-graduate, law-related employment. Students with permanent resident status, or a green card, can live and work in the U.S. without limitations during the summer and after graduation.

International students with F-1 student visas can work full-time during the summer

For off-campus work, F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which provides up to 12 months of full-time, law-related employment. To be eligible for OPT, students must have completed at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. The employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorised in advance by the Designated School Official and USCIS. Additionally, students must have their Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) from USCIS and must have been enrolled for at least a year before starting work.

Another option for F-1 students is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is a student visa work benefit that must be authorised in advance by the Office of International Education. CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. As part of the CPT application, students must arrange to receive academic credit during the employment period, typically by enrolling in a one-credit independent study during the summer.

It is important to note that international students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to work both on-campus and off-campus. To obtain an SSN, students must provide a job offer letter, a letter from the International Student Services Office confirming their eligibility to work, their passport, F-1 visa, and other relevant documents.

Students with an F-1 visa must have a Social Security Number (SSN) to work

International students in the US often want to gain work experience during the summer. Their ability to do so depends on their immigration status. For instance, students with an F-1 visa may be eligible to work part-time during the school year and full time during the summer and other breaks. However, to work, they must have a Social Security Number (SSN).

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit employee identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for an SSN is based on a person's eligibility to work in the United States. Those eligible include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and qualified foreign nationals—including, in certain circumstances, students in F-1 or J-1 status.

If you are an F-1 student, you must provide evidence of lawful employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a student visa work benefit that must be authorized in advance by the Office of International Education. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total. F-1 students may be eligible to apply for OPT in their final semester, which provides up to 12 months of post-graduate, law-related employment to gain practical experience.

To apply for an SSN, you must first obtain valid employment authorization. This can be based on one of the following:

• On-campus employment
• CPT
• OPT
• International organization employment
• Severe economic hardship employment

Students with an F-1 visa must have a job offer to apply for an SSN

International students in the US can work in the summer, but their employment opportunities depend on their visa status. Students with an F-1 visa may be eligible to work part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer. However, to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), which is necessary for employment, students must have a job offer.

The F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for students wishing to study in the United States. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program. They must also be enrolled full-time, be proficient in English or enrolled in English proficiency courses, have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies, and maintain a residence abroad.

F-1 visa students can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. To work off-campus, F-1 visa students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization. One way to do this is through Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is a student visa work benefit that must be authorized in advance by the Office of International Education. CPT is employment that trains students in their field of study and can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to their major.

Another way for F-1 visa students to work off-campus is through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which provides up to 12 months of work authorization in areas related to their major, either before or after graduation. To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. While a job offer is not required to apply for OPT, students must have a job offer to apply for an SSN, which is necessary to begin employment. To apply for an SSN, students must bring a letter from their employer stating the job title, work hours, start date, and rate of pay, as well as a letter from their International Student Services Office confirming their eligibility to work, their passport, F-1 visa, and other relevant documents to the Social Security Office.

Students with an F-1 visa must gain work authorisation from USCIS

Students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after completion of their degree. However, to do so, they must gain work authorisation from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution or in a language training program. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and your school must be authorised by the U.S. government to accept foreign students.

There are several requirements that must be met before an F-1 student can gain work authorisation from USCIS. Firstly, they must have been enrolled in an academic program for at least one full academic year and be in good academic standing. Secondly, they must demonstrate an inability to secure on-campus employment or prove that the pay from available on-campus employment is insufficient to meet their financial needs. Additionally, they must show that working off-campus will not adversely impact their ability to attend school full-time and maintain their academic standing.

To gain work authorisation, F-1 students must complete and submit specific forms to USCIS. They must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and pay a fee. If their application is approved, they will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), from USCIS, which allows them to begin working off-campus. It is important to note that the USCIS processing time can take up to 90 days, so students should start the application process early.

While OPT provides an opportunity for F-1 students to gain practical work experience, it is essential to comply with all requirements to maintain their student status and avoid any adverse consequences, such as removal from the country or reentry bars.

Students with an F-1 visa must gain permission from their school's International Student Office

International students with an F-1 visa have several options for working in the US during the summer, but they must gain permission from their school's International Student Office. Students with an F-1 visa are generally permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer. However, on-campus employment opportunities are often limited, and students may be required to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting any on-campus employment.

For off-campus employment, F-1 students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which provides up to 12 months of work authorisation in areas related to their major. To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and does not require sponsorship from a specific employer. However, all OPT employment requires prior authorisation from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the 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 receive their Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) from USCIS and have been enrolled for at least a year.

Another option for F-1 students is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is a student visa work benefit that must be authorised in advance by the Office of International Education. CPT is employment that trains students in their field of study and can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to their major. As part of the CPT application, F-1 students must arrange to receive academic credit during the employment period and must remain enrolled for the following semester.

It is important to note that international students with an F-1 visa must maintain their status and follow all regulations regarding employment. Students found working illegally risk losing their F-1 status and may have to leave the United States immediately. Therefore, it is crucial for F-1 students to gain permission from their school's International Student Office and comply with all applicable rules and requirements.

Frequently asked questions