Working In The Us: Options For International Masters Students

International master's students can work in the US, but they must comply with federal laws and regulations. Students with F-1 visas can complete up to a year of temporary employment related to their field of study and can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. OPT can be used during or after studies, but students can only work up to 20 hours per week during their studies. CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is another option, but it must be an integral part of the curriculum and is full-time. Students must obtain approval for off-campus employment, and on-campus employment is generally more freely permitted.

On-campus employment

International students in the US on a valid F1 visa are permitted to work on-campus, although there are several conditions and restrictions. On-campus employment is the most freely available option for international students, and it does not require approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

F-1 students have three main employment-related guidelines for on-campus work:

• They may work at any qualifying on-campus job, as long as it does not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR).
• They may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during school breaks or the annual vacation.
• They should report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number.

International students must also show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus. However, F-1 students may be eligible to work off-campus in cases of severe economic hardship, or after they have been enrolled in an academic program and maintained their F-1 status for at least one full academic year.

Off-campus employment

International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after completion of their degree. However, off-campus employment is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study and are experiencing economic hardship.

To apply for off-campus employment, you must first explain your economic hardship situation and receive approval from your Designated School Official (DSO). If your situation applies, the DSO will recommend you and provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status". You must then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days of receiving your recommendation. If USCIS approves your application, they will send you a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), which will include the dates that you may work off-campus.

F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis due to special situations, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. To be eligible for off-campus employment, students must show that on-campus employment is neither available nor sufficient and that they have made a good faith effort to find on-campus employment before applying for off-campus work.

It is important to note that any off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the DSO and USCIS before starting any work. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the student having to leave the United States and may affect their ability to return.

Student visa requirements

International students seeking to pursue a master's degree in the United States must comply with specific student visa requirements. The process involves several steps, and it is important to follow the guidelines to maintain legal status while studying in the US. Here is an overview of the key requirements and considerations for obtaining and maintaining a student visa:

• Visa Categories: The United States offers two primary nonimmigrant visa categories for international students: the F-1 Visa (Academic Student) and the M-1 Visa (Vocational Student). The F-1 Visa is for those enrolled full-time in an accredited academic institution, including colleges, universities, high schools, or other academic programs, leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. The M-1 Visa, on the other hand, is for students enrolled in vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training.
• Enrollment and Accreditation: To qualify for either visa, you must be accepted by a US institution of higher education that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified. This means your chosen school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Even if an institution is SEVP-certified, it may not hold national or regional accreditation, so it is essential to check the accreditation status of your desired institution.
• Financial Ability: F-1 students must demonstrate their ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States. It is essential to provide proof of financial resources to cover tuition and living costs for the duration of your stay.
• Employment Restrictions: F-1 students are generally not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment under certain conditions. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment under specific circumstances, such as economic hardship or through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs. Any off-campus employment must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS and must be related to the student's area of study.
• Visa Application Process: The visa application process involves submitting the necessary documentation, undergoing an interview with a consular officer, and providing ink-free, digital fingerprint scans. The consular officer will determine your eligibility and inform you of any further administrative requirements. After visa approval, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee, depending on your nationality, and make arrangements for receiving your passport and visa.
• Visa Validity and Extensions: It is crucial to adhere to the program end date listed on Form I-20. F-1 students must depart the US within 60 days after the program end date, unless they have received authorization for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students may request extensions through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if needed.

In summary, obtaining and maintaining a student visa in the United States as an international master's student involves meeting specific requirements, including choosing an accredited institution, demonstrating financial ability, adhering to employment restrictions, and carefully following the visa application and maintenance process. It is essential to stay informed about the latest guidelines and regulations to ensure compliance with the terms of your visa.

Practical training opportunities

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after their degree. OPT is a program that allows international students in the US to work temporarily in a job related to their field of study. This can be categorised as pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. To be eligible, you must have been enrolled for at least nine months and have active F-1 student status.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another option for off-campus employment for F-1 students. 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 your degree program or a requirement for a course for which you receive academic credit. You must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F-1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT).

Students with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics can request a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis due to special situations, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief.

M-1 students (Vocational Student) may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies. This training must be related to their area of study and must be authorised prior to starting work.

Work-study programs

Federal work-study programs are not typically available to international students as they are federally funded and require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, some schools have special policies that allow international students to take advantage of work opportunities. For example, the University of Pennsylvania offers work-study programs to eligible international students through institutional funding, while the University of Mary Washington provides "institutional work-study" with wages provided by the departments that students support.

To find work-study opportunities as an international student, you can explore on-campus jobs, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is an off-campus employment option for F-1 visa students when the practical training is integral to their curriculum or academic program. OPT allows F-1 students to work off-campus in certain situations, such as in STEM fields. Additionally, organizations like HTIR Work-Study can help connect international students with schools that offer work-study programs.

It's important to note that your ability to work on or off-campus may depend on your visa type. F-1 visas allow international students to study full-time at accredited academic institutions and may accept on-campus employment after meeting certain conditions. After the first academic year, F-1 visa holders may engage in off-campus employment under specific circumstances. On the other hand, M-1 visas are for vocational or non-academic programs and do not typically allow for on-campus employment during the first year.

Frequently asked questions