Douglas Olsen
International students in the United States on F-1 visas are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after their degree, provided they have prior authorization from the USCIS and their school's International Student Office. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another off-campus employment option for F1 students, but it must be an integral part of their degree program or a requirement for a course for which they receive academic credit. CPT authorization is granted by the school's International Student Office and must be reported to the USCIS. Students with F-1 visas may also work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. However, students with F-1 visas cannot accept pay for unpaid internships or similar work without obtaining CPT authorization.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1, M-1 |
| Work type | On-campus, off-campus |
| Work time | Part-time (up to 20 hours per week), full-time (more than 20 hours per week) |
| Work eligibility | Enrolled full-time, valid F-1 status, sufficient funds, English proficiency, maintaining residence abroad |
| Authorization | Required for off-campus employment, CPT, OPT, and unpaid internships; obtained from Designated School Official, USCIS, and school's International Student Office |
| Social Security Number | Required for employment; apply online and submit original documents to Social Security Administration Office |
| Penalties | Loss of student visa, difficulty obtaining future visas, banned from re-entry to the US |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus jobs for international students
International students in the US can work part-time while studying, and on-campus jobs are relatively easy to acquire. All international students are eligible to work on-campus without additional work authorization, unlike off-campus work.
International students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks or summer vacation.
There are many different types of on-campus jobs available to undergraduate and graduate students. International students are welcome to apply for the same jobs as domestic students. Some common examples of on-campus jobs include:
- Food services
- Bookstore
- Library
- Campus box office
- Hospitality services
- Transportation services
- Research facilities
- Sports stadiums
International students can use an "On-Campus" filter on their college's online job board to find openings. Some schools may also have a physical job board in a central location on campus, such as the student centre.
Off-campus work authorization
International students on an F-1 visa may accept off-campus employment after their first academic year, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Off-campus work must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus employment where the practical training is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. CPT employment can be a paid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other work related to the student's field of study. Prior authorization from the school's International Student Office and notification to USCIS are required.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another type of off-campus work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. OPT employment requires prior authorization from USCIS and the school's International Student Office.
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Off-campus employment eligibility
International students in the US with an F1 visa and immigration status are permitted to work off-campus, but they must meet strict eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization. Students must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. Their school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and they must be enrolled as full-time students.
There are two types of off-campus employment options for F1 students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). 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 received. Prior authorization from the school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) are required. Students must have been enrolled full-time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate programs requiring immediate CPT). CPT authorization specifies whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time employment.
OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US, and students can apply after being enrolled for at least nine months. However, they cannot begin working until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and have completed one academic year. OPT is also available for students who have completed their degrees.
In special circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, or international financial crises, the US government may allow students from affected countries to apply for off-campus employment through the Special Student Relief (SSR) program.
Students found working off-campus without authorization may lose their F1 student status. To maintain their status, students must demonstrate their ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Students must have been enrolled full-time for one year on valid F1 status, except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT. CPT employment must be directly related to the student's field of study and must be an integral part of their degree program or a requirement for a course for which they receive academic credit. CPT authorization will specify whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment (more than 20 hours per week). While in school, students can only be approved for part-time CPT. There is no limit to how long a student can work with CPT authorization, but if they work full-time for 12 months or more, they are not eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Students interested in CPT must make an appointment with their school's International Student Office to see if they are eligible. They should also speak with their company or employer and obtain a Detailed Training Description, which they can show to their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans in detail. If their advisor believes the training is integral to their curriculum, they may recommend CPT by completing an Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. Students must also ensure they have all the required documents to apply for CPT authorization.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students in the US with an F1 visa and status are generally allowed to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) during and after their degree. OPT is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least 9 months and have active F-1 student status. For post-completion OPT, students can apply up to 90 days before graduation, but it is recommended that they apply at least 45 days before graduation. Students cannot begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and have been enrolled for at least a year. Students do not need a job offer before applying for OPT, and their job may be anywhere in the United States.
Students can accrue no more than 150 days of unemployment during the initial 12-month period of F-1 post-completion OPT. Volunteering and unpaid internships can be considered employment for the initial 12-month period and can be reported in SEVIS as valid OPT employment. OPT employment must be a minimum of 20 hours per week, paid or unpaid.
If a student transfers to another school or begins studies at another educational level, their authorization to engage in OPT employment will automatically terminate. While their F-1 status will not be affected, they must not work on a terminated EAD as they are no longer authorized to work in the United States using that OPT EAD. Working in the United States without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country.
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Severe economic hardship
International students in the US on F1 visas are generally not permitted to work off-campus without prior authorization. However, in cases of severe economic hardship, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant authorization for off-campus employment. This is typically only granted in cases of unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control, such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, substantial fluctuations in currency value or exchange rates, unexpected increases in tuition or living costs, or changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support.
To be eligible for this authorization, students must have been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year (two semesters), be in good academic standing, and be carrying a full course load. They must also demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs and that off-campus employment will not interfere with their full-time studies. The student's Designated School Official (DSO) must recommend the student for off-campus employment on the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20), and the student must file an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) and pay a fee. If approved, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS, which is typically valid for one year and allows the student to work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks.
It is important to note that the process for obtaining authorization for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship can be complex and may vary depending on the student's specific circumstances. Students should carefully review the requirements and work closely with their school's International Student Office or DSO to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and complete the necessary steps for authorization.
In addition to seeking off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship, international students on F1 visas may also have other options for authorized employment, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which can provide opportunities for paid internships or other training-related employment. However, these options also have specific requirements and eligibility criteria that students must meet.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work part-time on-campus, but any off-campus work, including remote work, is generally forbidden during the first year of study. After their first year, F-1 international students will need proper work authorization to work remotely for a US or non-US company.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid internships during their course of study. 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." Prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization that allows international students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after they graduate. OPT can be used for remote work for a non-US company, but students can only work up to 20 hours per week during the academic semester.
