Janice Lozano
International students on an F-1 visa are allowed to work in the United States, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions. Students on an F-1 visa must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and their school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students. There are several categories of employment available to F-1 students, including on-campus and off-campus work, as well as education-related training. On-campus employment is the most freely available option and does not require authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Off-campus work is subject to more restrictions and requires authorization from the USCIS. Additionally, F-1 students must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) and are limited to working 20 hours per week when school is in session. To be eligible for off-campus work, F-1 students must have been in valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year and be in good academic standing. Students must also demonstrate financial need and obtain an internship or employment with a recognized international organization within their field of study.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Work eligibility | F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first year, they may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions. M-1 students can engage in curricular practical training or post-completion optional practical training. |
| Employment conditions | Employment must be "directly related" to the student's major and within their field of study. |
| Application process | Students must obtain an internship offer and apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. They must also submit Form I-765 and pay a fee. |
| Work hours restriction | Students can only work 20 hours per week when school is in session. |
| Security clearance | Students must be able to receive Public Trust, Secret, or Top Secret security clearance. |
| Citizenship status | Only U.S. citizens are eligible for the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program. |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US with an F1 visa are allowed to work on campus, but only under certain conditions. F1 visa holders are authorised to work for a university employer at the school they are attending or at a school-affiliated off-campus location such as a research facility or sports stadium. To qualify for on-campus employment, students must be enrolled in an academic program full-time.
There are several on-campus roles that international students can apply for, including library assistant, teaching assistant, biology lab assistant, assistant in a university bookstore or cafeteria, and box office assistant. International students can also work as language tutors on campus.
To apply for on-campus employment, students should talk to their Designated School Official (DSO) and, if approved, they will receive a letter of approval. Students will need this letter, along with a letter of approval from their employer, to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
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Off-campus employment
International students with an F-1 visa in the United States are generally not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, after the first year, they may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions. To be eligible for off-campus work, F-1 students must demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs due to unexpected circumstances. They must also be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and be in valid F-1 status.
F-1 students may also be eligible for off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship, which is defined as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. This includes situations such as loss of financial aid, substantial increases in tuition or living costs, unexpected medical expenses, or other unexpected expenses. To qualify for off-campus work under economic hardship, students must provide thorough documentation and proof of an adverse change in their financial situation.
In Canada, international students are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit for up to 24 hours per week. To be eligible, they must be full-time students at a designated learning institution and ensure that they meet all the requirements for working while studying. Students can work remotely for an employer outside of Canada, as long as they comply with the conditions of their study permit.
It is important to note that working without proper authorization is a serious violation of an international student's status, and they should carefully follow the regulations and guidelines for off-campus employment in their respective countries.
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Employment Authorization Document
International students on an F-1 visa are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension.
To work off-campus, F-1 students must demonstrate their ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus. The USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one academic year or in emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, and financial crises.
To apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), F-1 students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," to the USCIS within 30 days, along with the specified fee. They must also include a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," signed by a DSO within the last 30 days, certifying their bona fide F-1 student status. The DSO should ensure that the student's supporting evidence clearly shows their eligibility for employment authorization.
The EAD, commonly referred to as an EAD Card, is issued by the USCIS to individuals who have been granted permission to work in the United States. The front of the EAD card includes the dates of authorized employment, a photograph, the individual's full name, date of birth, and visa classification. Any limitations on employment will be noted on the card. It is recommended to renew the EAD as soon as possible within 180 days of its expiration date to avoid gaps in employment authorization. If the EAD is lost, stolen, or contains incorrect information, a replacement can be requested by filing a new Form I-765 and paying the associated fee, unless a fee waiver is approved.
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F-1 visa restrictions
F-1 visas are for international students pursuing full-time academic studies in the United States. There are several restrictions and guidelines that F-1 visa holders must adhere to with regard to working.
Firstly, F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment, which does not require USCIS approval. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship employment. CPT allows students to accept paid internships or work-study programmes that are integral to their degree curriculum. OPT is temporary employment directly related to the student's area of study, and F-1 students may be eligible for up to 12 months of OPT, with the possibility of an extension for certain students. To qualify for employment under Severe Economic Hardship, a student must have experienced unforeseen circumstances, such as natural disasters or international financial crises, which have caused them to suffer severe economic hardship.
F-1 students must also maintain their status as students and show that they have the ability to afford school and living expenses. Employment authorization will be terminated if a student fails to maintain their F-1 status.
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Social Security Number
International students on an F-1 visa are allowed to work in the United States, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows non-immigrant students to enter the US as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution or in a language training program.
To work in the US, every eligible F and M student needs a Social Security Number (SSN). The process to obtain an SSN is as follows:
- Receive a recommendation from your Designated School Official (DSO) and obtain a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," signed within the last 30 days, certifying that the applicant is a bona fide F-1 student.
- File a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS within 30 days. This form must be accompanied by the Form I-20 and a fee.
- If your employment application is approved by USCIS, they will send you a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD).
- You cannot begin work until you have received your EAD.
It is important to note that F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: severe economic hardship, emergent circumstances, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). On-campus employment is the most freely available option and does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus employment opportunities are often limited and may not be relied upon to prove financial resources.
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