International Law Grads: Sba Work Options Explored

International law students who wish to work in the U.S. must have a completed bachelor's degree from an established program to be eligible for admission. Most U.S. law schools accept international applications, although some schools have additional requirements. International students need an F-1 visa to study in the U.S. once accepted to a law school. F-1 students may work for a contractually affiliated company, such as a school bookstore, and their total work hours cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. They may work full-time during annual breaks or when school is not in session. F-1 students may also be eligible to apply for post-completion optional practical training upon graduation. There are fellowships and scholarships available for international students, such as the AAUW International Fellowship Program, which provides awards ranging from $20,000 for master's degrees to $50,000 for postdoctoral studies.

International law students can work in the US with an F-1 visa

International law students on an F-1 visa can work in the US, but only under specific conditions and in compliance with the rules and restrictions set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). F-1 students are allowed to work in the US during their studies and after graduation, but the process can be challenging and requires careful planning.

During Studies

F-1 students may accept on-campus employment without prior authorisation from USCIS. On-campus employment includes work that takes place at the school location, such as in a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students.

After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS before starting work. There are four categories of off-campus employment for F-1 students:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This is an off-campus employment option when practical training is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. CPT employment can include internships, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT employment must be required for the degree or academic credit must be awarded, and students can be paid for this work.
• Severe Economic Hardship: In cases of unexpected circumstances beyond their control, such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, F-1 students may be authorised for off-campus employment on a case-by-case basis by USCIS.
• Emergent Circumstances: In the event of world events that cause severe economic hardship, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises, F-1 students may be eligible for Special Student Relief. This involves the suspension of certain regulatory requirements, including on-campus and off-campus employment restrictions.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension: F-1 students in STEM fields may be eligible for off-campus employment if their employer is enrolled in the E-Verify program.

After Graduation

F-1 students can also work in the US after graduation by applying for OPT, which allows them to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, with a possible 24-month extension for STEM fields. To be eligible for OPT, students must have completed their degree and ensure that their employment is related to their field of study. Additionally, they must be deemed eligible by USCIS and meet certain travel regulations, such as having a valid passport, EAD card, and letter of employment when leaving and re-entering the country.

Another option for F-1 students to work in the US after graduation is to obtain employer sponsorship for an H-1B visa or a green card. This can be challenging due to the limited number of visas and the competitive nature of the application process. However, with careful planning and guidance from university career advisors, international law students on F-1 visas can increase their chances of securing work authorisation in the US.

Students can work for up to 20 hours during the school term

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus, and this is the most freely available option. However, these jobs are often not related to their studies, and many schools require students to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment. F-1 students may also be able to work off-campus in cases of severe economic hardship, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emergent circumstances include world events such as natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises.

In Canada, international students are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, as long as they are full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI). They must also have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada, which can be obtained by applying to have the necessary conditions added to their study permit. Students can work full-time during the summer and other breaks, as long as they will be returning to school after the break.

Students can work full-time during annual breaks

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work during their studies, but their total work hours cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. However, they may work full-time during annual breaks when school is not in session. This is a great opportunity for international law students to gain practical experience and earn an income during their time off.

F-1 students can work on-campus at their school location, for example, in a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students. They can also work for a company that is contractually affiliated with the school, such as a school bookstore, as it provides services to students. In addition, F-1 students can work off-campus if the location is educationally affiliated, meaning it is associated with the school's curriculum or part of contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level.

It is important to note that F-1 students must maintain their status, follow the guidelines for on-campus employment, and ensure that their total work hours do not exceed the permitted limit during the school term. International students can also consider applying for post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to continue working after graduation. This allows them to gain practical experience in their field of study and can be a great way to transition into a full-time career.

Overall, while international law students in the US on an F-1 visa have certain restrictions on their employment, they can take advantage of the opportunity to work full-time during annual breaks. This allows them to balance their studies and gain valuable work experience, which can be beneficial for their future careers. It is important for students to be aware of and comply with the regulations governing their student visa status to maintain their legal standing in the country.

Students can apply for post-completion OPT to continue working after graduation

International students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to continue working after graduation. OPT is a type of work permit available for eligible F-1 students, allowing them to gain real-world work experience directly related to their major area of study. To be eligible for admission to a US law school, international students must have a completed bachelor's degree from an established program. They will also need an F-1 student visa to study in the US once accepted into a law school.

Students can apply for post-completion OPT as early as 90 days before graduation or up to 60 days after their Form I-20 program end date. The application must be received by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days after the Office of Global Services (OGS) signature on page 1 of the Form I-20, with the OPT request on page 2. Students must obtain the OPT recommendation from their school on page 2 of their Form I-20 before applying to USCIS.

It is important to note that students authorized for post-completion OPT are expected to be employed, and they can be unemployed for only up to 90 days during the authorization period. Students who plan to exit the United States after graduation should travel only after receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, as resolving any potential complications with the USCIS application is much harder from outside the country. Additionally, if a student leaves the US and re-enters in B status, they may be considered to have abandoned their F-1 status, leading to the early termination of their OPT.

To apply for OPT, students must properly file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS, along with the required fee and supporting documentation. They can provide their own address or the mailing address of a third party on this form. However, it is recommended to use an address that will remain valid for several months to avoid any issues with USCIS correspondence. Once the OPT application is approved, and the EAD card is received, students can begin their authorized OPT employment.

Students can work for contractually affiliated companies

International law students can work for contractually affiliated companies. An F-1 student visa is required for international students to study law in the US. F-1 students are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours during a school term and can work full-time when school is not in session or during annual breaks. This includes on-campus employment, such as working in a school bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services to students.

Off-campus employment is also an option for F-1 students, but it must meet specific criteria. The location must be educationally affiliated, which means it is either associated with the school's curriculum or part of contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level. An example of this could be a school bookstore that services multiple campuses. F-1 students can also work for recognized international organizations within the scope of their sponsorship.

It is important to note that F-1 students must follow guidelines for on-campus employment and maintain their student status. Additionally, they may be eligible to apply for post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to continue working after graduation. The 60-day "grace" period after graduation is intended for F-1 students to prepare to leave the US, unless they are starting a new program of study or have applied for OPT.

There are several opportunities for international students to gain financial support during their studies in the US. Fellowships and scholarships are available through programs like the AAUW International Fellowship Program, the ACI Foundation Scholarship, the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship, and the Robert Gordon Menzies Scholarship to Harvard. These programs offer varying levels of financial support, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, and some include additional benefits such as mentorship opportunities and convention attendance.

Frequently asked questions