Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus during and after their studies, provided they obtain prior authorization from the USCIS and their school's international student office. To stay and work in the US after graduation, international students must either secure a job with an employer who will sponsor their H-1B visa or transfer their F-1 visa status to H-1B status. This allows them to live and work in the US for up to six years. However, the process of finding a job as an international student can be challenging due to the complex visa regulations and the reluctance of some companies to sponsor international students. Nevertheless, career fairs, networking, and internships can provide valuable opportunities for international students seeking employment in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours | F-1 students cannot exceed 20 hours of work during the school term. They may work full-time during school breaks. |
| On-campus employment | F-1 students may work on-campus if the job does not displace a U.S. citizen or LPR. |
| Off-campus employment | Off-campus employment is only authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances as defined by the DHS. |
| Post-graduation | Students have 60 days after graduation to enroll in another program or an OPT program. |
| OPT | OPT allows students to work, train, or intern in their field of study for up to one year after graduation. Certain STEM majors can extend OPT for up to two more years. |
| Visa transfer | F-1 students can transfer their status to an H-1B visa with a sponsoring employer, allowing them to work and live in the US for up to 6 years. |
| Green card | After 5 years of employment with the same company, students can request their employer to file for an employment-based green card. |
| Networking | Over 80% of job offers in the US come through networking. |
| Career fairs | Career fairs provide work opportunities and allow students to network with professionals from various backgrounds. |
| Internships | Internships allow students to gain experience and establish relationships, increasing the chance of sponsorship after graduation. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can work off-campus in the US with OPT status
- Students must have an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) to work
- F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms
- Students can transfer their F-1 visa status to an H-1B status
- International students can stay in the US by finding a company sponsor
International students can work off-campus in the US with OPT status
International students on an F-1 visa can work off-campus in the US with OPT status. OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, which allows eligible students to gain temporary work experience directly related to their major area of study. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at a college or university certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
There are two types of OPT: pre-completion and post-completion. With pre-completion OPT, students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session. For post-completion OPT, students must work at least part-time (a minimum of 20 hours per week) or full-time. The off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first.
To apply for OPT, students must obtain a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," from their Designated School Official (DSO) and file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 30 days. The DSO plays a crucial role in recommending and supporting the student's OPT application.
It is important to note that working off-campus without authorization can result in severe consequences, including removal from the country. Additionally, international students on OPT should be cautious about travelling outside the US. Leaving the country after completing a degree but before receiving an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and obtaining a job may affect their chances of readmission and securing a postgraduate work visa.
For students who studied in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics), there is the option of a STEM OPT extension, allowing them to stay and work in the US for up to 24 months after graduation. Alternatively, international students can explore the possibility of transferring their F-1 student visa status to an H-1B status with the help of a US employer, enabling them to work and live in the US for up to six years.
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Students must have an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) to work
International students in the US on an F-1 visa can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a temporary employment opportunity related to their field of study. OPT is available for up to 12 months, with additional extensions possible for certain STEM degree holders.
To apply for an EAD, students must complete and submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with the required supporting documents. This form is available on the USCIS website and includes detailed instructions for completing and submitting the application. The current cost of applying for an EAD is $410, with a potential extra charge of $85 if biometrics need to be taken as part of the application process.
In addition to Form I-765, students must provide supporting documents to prove their eligibility for a Work Permit. These documents may include proof of their current immigration status, such as a copy of their visa or I-94 arrival/departure record, evidence of their eligibility category, such as an approval notice for an underlying immigration petition or a copy of their pending application, and passport-style photographs taken within the last 30 days.
It is important to note that F-1 students are generally not authorized to work off-campus. However, in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may authorize off-campus employment.
Students must have received their EAD and secured a job before leaving the country after completing their degree, as travelling outside the US while the EAD application is pending may impact their immigration status and chance of readmission.
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F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work part-time on-campus while studying. This is limited to 20 hours per week during school terms and up to 40 hours per week during holidays and vacation periods.
F-1 students can work on-campus in a qualifying job that does not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). This includes jobs with employers that are contractually affiliated with the school, even if the workplace is off-campus, such as a research lab. Students must report their work and obtain a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number.
It is important to note that working more than 20 hours per week during the school term will violate F-1 student status. The payroll office at the school closely monitors the working hours of each employee and directly communicates any violations to the school's Designated School Official (DSO). As such, it is the student's responsibility to ensure they do not exceed the limit, even if their university is unaware of the F-1 hourly limitations.
Students who violate their F-1 status by working more than 20 hours per week must apply for reinstatement to lawful F-1 status. During the reinstatement process, students must discontinue all work immediately but may continue their studies.
To work off-campus, F-1 students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization. Off-campus employment is generally only authorized in cases of severe economic hardship, emergent circumstances, or through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT provides practical training related to the student's field of study, while OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation.
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Students can transfer their F-1 visa status to an H-1B status
International students on an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term, and full-time during periods when school is not in session or during their annual break. However, F-1 students are generally not expected to work off-campus, except in cases of severe economic hardship.
To continue working in the US after graduation, international students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain off-campus employment for up to 12 months. Students in STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month OPT extension.
- Find an H-1B sponsor: Secure a job offer from a US employer willing to sponsor your H-1B petition. The position should qualify as a specialty occupation, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
- H-1B registration and selection: Employers register candidates for the annual H-1B lottery, which usually takes place in March. If selected, they can proceed with filing a petition.
- Labor Condition Application (LCA): The employer files an LCA with the Department of Labor, agreeing to pay the prevailing wage for the occupation and location.
- Petition for Change of Status: The employer files a petition for a Change of Status (COS) with USCIS. This can be done without waiting for the petition to be approved.
It is important to note that changing jobs within the 6-year period will require re-applying for the H-1B visa. Additionally, processing times for changing from an F-1 to an H-1B visa may vary depending on factors such as the employer, the service center reviewing the case, and the current case backlog at USCIS.
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International students can stay in the US by finding a company sponsor
International students on an F-1 visa are eligible for 12 months of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before finishing their studies, as well as 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. This allows them to gain hands-on experience in their major field of study and work in the US for up to 12 months. Students with STEM degrees can avail of a 24-month OPT extension, enabling them to work full-time for 36 months post-graduation.
However, to stay and work in the US for a longer duration, international students can seek company sponsorship to obtain an H-1B visa. This visa allows individuals to work and live in the US for up to six years, with the possibility of requesting employment-based permanent residency after five years of employment with the same company. The process involves transferring from an F-1 student visa to an H-1B visa, which requires the employer to sponsor the student by filing a labour condition with the Department of Labor, ensuring fair work hours and wages.
It is important to note that the H-1B visa is tied to the specific company that petitioned for it, and changing jobs within the six-year period would require re-applying for the visa. Additionally, eligibility criteria include qualifying as an experienced candidate in the same field of study and possessing a bachelor's degree.
International students can also explore other visa options, such as the J-1 visa, which allows for up to 18 months of work authorization with authorization from the program sponsor. Alternatively, students can consider seeking financial sponsorship for their student visas, which may be in the form of grants, family members, government organizations, or private companies.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in the US after graduating via post-completion OPT, STEM OPT extension, H-1B Visa, and Green Card permit. However, they must obtain work authorization first.
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. It allows students on an F-1 visa to work, train, or intern in their area of study for up to 12 months, extendable by 24 months for STEM fields.
The process to get a work visa in the US can be challenging due to the limited number of visas issued annually and the competitive nature of the application process. One option is to transition from a student visa (F-1) to a work visa (H-1B) by finding an employer who will sponsor you.
OPT is a temporary status that allows international students to work in the US for up to 12 months (or 24 months with a STEM extension). A work visa, such as the H-1B, allows non-immigrants to work in the US for a longer period, typically three to six years.
