Douglas Olsen
International students in the US on F1 visas are allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week when they are not. However, immigration regulations severely limit off-campus employment for F1 visa holders, and students found working illegally risk losing their visa. To work off-campus, students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization. Students may also be eligible for practical training programs, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allow them to gain work experience related to their field of study.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work on campus | Allowed for F-1 visa holders without authorization, up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during breaks and summer vacation. |
| Work off-campus | F-1 visa holders can apply for CPT or OPT work authorization after their first academic year. J-1 visa holders may also be eligible depending on their exchange program's rules. |
| CPT | Curricular Practical Training is a type of employment for F-1 students that is an integral part of their curriculum or educational program. It can be an internship or any work experience related to their degree. CPT work must be part-time during the academic year and can be full-time during breaks and summer vacation. F-1 students can apply after being in status for at least 9 months. |
| OPT | Optional Practical Training is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total. F-1 students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months and receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. OPT can be used both during and after the completion of their degree. |
| Severe Economic Hardship | F-1 students facing financial difficulties can apply for off-campus work authorization through USCIS. |
| STEM OPT Extension | F-1 students who earned a degree in a STEM field can apply for a 24-month OPT extension. |
| Academic Training | J-1 students may qualify for on-campus or off-campus academic training of up to 18 months before or after completing their studies. |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US with a valid F1 visa are allowed to work on-campus and in specified training programs. Students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. On-campus jobs are typically student-oriented, such as working in the library, cafeteria, or student center.
There are strict rules regarding international students' ability to work in the US. Students with a valid F-1 visa may work on-campus at the school they are authorised to attend. However, they cannot be employed off-campus without meeting certain requirements and obtaining written authorization before starting work.
F-1 students have three main guidelines regarding on-campus employment:
- They may work at any qualifying on-campus job that 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 annual vacations or when school is not in session.
- They should report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security number.
It is important to note that while most colleges and universities can assist international students in finding employment, many schools require students to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment. Additionally, on-campus employment opportunities may be limited, and students should not rely on them as their sole source of income.
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Off-campus employment
There are a few exceptions to the rule. Students who are eligible for Special Student Relief (SSR) can work an increased number of hours while school is in session, but they require authorisation from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Students can also work off-campus if the work is ""educationally related" or "affiliated" with the school, such as working with a professor at an off-campus research facility. Students can also apply for off-campus employment authorisation for internships with international organisations, but the internship must be extended by a recognised international organisation, such as the United Nations.
If students are facing unforeseen financial hardship, they can apply for off-campus employment to earn an income to bear their living expenses. This authorisation can only be available after all other potential employment opportunities have proven to be insufficient. Students must pay an application fee, and USCIS will take between 4-7 months to confirm or deny the request.
Students must always obtain work authorisation to work off-campus. The employment must be related to the student's major and can include paid internships, employment during breaks, and positions where the individual receives a benefit instead of pay.
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Work visa protocols
International students can work in the United States, but they must follow strict visa regulations. The type of work visa an international student can get depends on their country of origin, their visa status, and the type of employment they are seeking.
On-Campus Employment
International students with valid F-1 visas can work on campus without prior authorization from their designated school official. However, they must obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting any on-campus employment, and they may not be permitted to work in their first semester or year. On-campus jobs are typically limited and unrelated to a student's major. International students are also not eligible for work-study jobs as these are federally funded. They can work part-time, up to 20 hours a week, during the academic year and full-time during breaks and summer vacation.
Off-Campus Employment
Off-campus work during studies is limited and requires separate authorization. F-1 visa holders can apply for off-campus work authorization through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a form of temporary employment authorization that enables students to gain practical experience in their field of study while still enrolled. It is typically part-time during the academic year and can be full-time during breaks and summer vacation. CPT is often in the form of internships, cooperative education, work-study, practicum, or other work experience that is either for credit or required for a degree. Students who engage in full-time CPT for 12 months or more will lose their OPT benefit when they graduate.
OPT is a form of off-campus employment that F-1 students can apply for after completing their first academic year. It can be done part-time while still in school, reducing the available full-time OPT by half the amount of part-time work. OPT can also be done full-time after graduation, for up to 12 months in total. Students must receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS before beginning employment, and the application process can take up to 90 days.
Post-Graduation Work Opportunities
Post-graduation work opportunities vary significantly and are a key reason many international students choose to study in the US. In Canada, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows eligible graduates to work for up to three years, making it one of the most flexible post-study options. In the US, F-1 students can apply for OPT, which allows up to 12 months of work authorization post-graduation. If an employer supports a work visa during OPT, students can apply for a permanent or temporary work visa. Temporary visas include the H, L, O, and E visas, which allow temporary work in the US with a set expiration date.
It is important for international students to understand the regulations and limitations of their specific visa to avoid overstepping any boundaries or missing out on legal opportunities.
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Work authorisation
International students in the US with an F1 visa are permitted to work on campus at the school they are authorised to attend. They can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during breaks and summer vacation. However, they must obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting any on-campus employment, and it may not be permitted during their first semester or year.
F1 students may also be eligible for off-campus work under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a type of employment that is an integral part of the curriculum or educational program, such as an internship or work experience that is either for credit or required for the degree. It can be part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic year and full-time during breaks and summer vacation. To be eligible for CPT, students must have been in F1 status for at least 9 months.
OPT is a form of off-campus work authorisation that allows students to work in jobs related to their major field of study. There are three types of OPT: pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, and the STEM OPT Extension. Pre-completion OPT allows students to work off-campus in jobs related to their field of study before graduation, while post-completion OPT allows them to do so after graduation, provided they work at least 20 hours per week. The STEM OPT Extension allows students who earned a degree in a STEM field to apply for a 24-month extension of their OPT. To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least 9 months and must receive an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
J1 students may also be eligible for on- and off-campus work under Academic Training, which is authorised employment for up to 18 months before or after the completion of their studies. They receive work authorisation in the form of a letter issued by the RO or ARO at their institution.
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Practical training
Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are not eligible for OPT. OPT is available for each higher level of study, for example, you may have 12 months of OPT for a bachelor's degree and another 12 months for a master's degree. Pre-completion OPT may be part-time or full-time but may not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. OPT is only available to students who are enrolled full-time and have maintained valid F-1 status for at least nine months. Students must also receive prior authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and their school's International Student Office before beginning employment.
If you have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible, you must be an F-1 student who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify, and have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in the US, but they must follow strict rules and regulations. The type of work they can do depends on their visa status and the rules of their exchange program.
International students can work on-campus and off-campus. On-campus employment is the most freely permitted, but opportunities are limited at most schools. Students with F-1 status can work on-campus without prior authorisation, for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and full-time during breaks and vacations. Off-campus work requires specific authorisations, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT is a type of temporary employment that is an integral part of a student's curriculum. It can be an internship, cooperative education program, practicum, or work-study. CPT can be done on or off-campus and is usually part-time during the academic year, but can be full-time during breaks.
OPT is a type of off-campus work authorisation that allows students to work in their field of study. It can be pre-completion or post-completion. Students must apply for OPT and receive an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) before beginning employment.
