Working Full-Time In The Us: Options For International Grads

International graduate students in the US on an F-1 visa are subject to strict rules regarding employment. F-1 students are generally permitted 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 employment is only allowed in limited circumstances, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), and requires prior authorization. CPT is a form of paid or unpaid internship or practicum that is integral to the student's degree program or fulfills a course requirement. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To be eligible for CPT or OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and maintain valid F-1 status.

On-campus employment

For on-campus work, an F1 student is subject to the following rules:

• You can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods if you intend to register for the next academic semester.
• The employment may not displace (take a job away from) a US resident.
• You can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester, and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session.
• If an F1 student finishes one program of study and starts another program of study at the same campus, the student may continue on-campus employment as long as they plan to enrol for the next term.
• An F1 student who is enrolled in school, maintains status, and follows the guidelines for on-campus employment may continue to work.
• An F1 student may only work on-campus after the program end date if they are continuing their education at the next program level at the same school.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. CPT employment 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". To qualify, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience that is related to your field of study. Prior authorization by your school's International Student Office and notification to the USCIS is required. You must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT), and the CPT employment must be an integral part of your degree program or a requirement for a course for which you receive academic credit. Once you receive CPT authorization, you can only work for the specific employer and for the specific dates authorized. While in school, you can only be approved for part-time CPT (20 hours per week or less). However, there is no limit to how long you can work. If you work full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, you are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Off-campus employment

International students with F-1 visas are subject to strict rules regarding employment in the US. While on-campus employment is the category most freely permitted, off-campus employment is heavily restricted and requires authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year. After this period, they may engage in off-campus employment under three types of authorization: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship Employment.

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 degree program or a requirement for a course for which academic credit is awarded. Prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to the USCIS are required. Once CPT authorization is received, students can only work for the specific employer and on the specific dates authorized. While there is no limit to how long a student can work with CPT authorization, working full-time for 12 months or more will make them ineligible for OPT.

OPT is a form of work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. Students can apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before graduation, but it is recommended to apply at least 45 days in advance to ensure timely processing. The authorization ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first.

Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can demonstrate a severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. They must also show that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient. Students with F-1 visas are limited to working off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

International students on F-1 visas are permitted to work in the US, but they must adhere to specific guidelines. One such option is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study. Here is some detailed information about CPT:

To apply for CPT, students must first obtain an employment opportunity or internship offer. They then work with the DSO to complete the necessary paperwork, including Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," and Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization." The DSO will enter their recommendation for the training opportunity into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and the student must maintain their full-time student status when school is in session.

It is important to note that CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States. Any training or internships completed in the student's home country during breaks do not need CPT authorization. Additionally, CPT authorization is typically valid for one year, and students must apply for continued authorization if they wish to extend their training beyond that period.

CPT provides international students on F-1 visas with valuable opportunities to gain practical experience in their field of study. It allows them to enhance their skills, apply their knowledge in a real-world setting, and build connections in their industry. However, it is important for students to carefully review the requirements and regulations surrounding CPT to ensure they remain in compliance with their visa status.

Social Security Number application

International graduate students in the US on F-1 visas are permitted to work off-campus in cases of economic hardship, or if their work is related to their area of study and has been authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In such cases, they are required to apply for and obtain a Social Security Number (SSN).

The SSN is a nine-digit number assigned by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to US citizens, permanent residents, and eligible nonimmigrant workers. It is used for tax and employment reporting purposes, such as reporting an employee's earnings or a student's taxable scholarship benefits. However, it is also often used for other purposes, such as opening bank accounts or applying for a driver's license.

To apply for an SSN, you must file your application in person at any SSA office. You will need to provide original documents that prove your age, identity, and work-authorized immigration status. All evidence of immigration status and work authorization must be unexpired. For F-1 students, this includes a valid passport, valid I-20 or DS-2019, and an I-94 card or electronic I-94 notated "F-1 D/S". F-1 students must also provide evidence of lawful employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT).

It is recommended that you do not apply for an SSN more than 30 days before the start of your employment, as applications submitted earlier may be rejected as too early. Once your application is accepted, you can expect to receive your SSN within 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.

F-1 and M-1 visa requirements

To be eligible for an F-1 or M-1 visa, you must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution or vocational program, respectively. This includes colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, and elementary schools. Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students. Additionally, you must meet the following criteria:

• Proficiency in English or enrolment in courses leading to English proficiency.
• Sufficient funds to cover school and living expenses.
• Maintenance of a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up.

For F-1 students, off-campus employment is generally not allowed during the first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment and, after the first academic year, can engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• Severe Economic Hardship: USCIS authorizes off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship occurring after enrollment and after being in F-1 status for at least one year, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the DHS.
• Curricular Practical Training: This requires a specific process, including obtaining Form I-20 and following the guidelines outlined by the DSO and USCIS.
• Optional Practical Training: F-1 students may be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT, which is temporary employment directly related to their area of study.

M-1 students have more limited employment options, as they are generally not eligible for off-campus employment. However, they can engage in curricular practical training, which requires authorization from the DSO and USCIS.

It is important to note that any off-campus employment for both F-1 and M-1 students must be related to their area of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS. Working without authorization will result in forced departure from the U.S. and possible re-entry restrictions.

Frequently asked questions