Working Abroad: Can International Students Work?

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work, but there are strict rules in place. Students must be enrolled full-time and can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during term-time and up to 40 hours per week outside of term-time. Off-campus employment is more restricted and requires prior authorisation. Students must also have a Social Security Number (SSN) to work, which can only be obtained once a job offer has been made. Students must also prove they can afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus.

Characteristics and Values of 'Can International Student Work'

On-campus work

International students in the United States with F-1 visas are eligible to work on their home campuses while studying. Students can begin working up to 30 days before the start of classes, and they must be enrolled as full-time students. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, students must show that they can afford school and living expenses before entering the US. They must also prove that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies.

On-campus employment is work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university bookstore or cafeteria. Students can work for a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly, such as a food service company operating on school grounds. However, they cannot work for the same company at any off-campus locations or for a company contracting with the school for reasons unrelated to student services. For instance, an F-1 student cannot work for a construction company, even if the job site is on campus.

Students interested in on-campus employment should talk to their Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). They can also look out for job advertisements on flyers posted around campus or visit the Campus Jobs website of the Career & Internship Center. Students with on-campus jobs may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week when it is not.

In addition to on-campus employment, F-1 students may be eligible for off-campus work under specific conditions. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the DSO and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before starting. Off-campus work is only permitted in cases of severe economic hardship, after the student has been enrolled in an academic program for at least a year, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Off-campus work

International students can work off-campus under specific circumstances, but the process is more complicated than for on-campus employment. For instance, international students with F-1 visas are eligible to work off-campus, but they must obtain work authorization from either their DSO or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO can authorize curricular practical training, while the USCIS can authorize limited types of off-campus work, including off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship.

To obtain off-campus work authorization from the USCIS, students must file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with a copy of the Form I-20. There is also an application fee of $410.00, and the process can take 4-7 months. It is important to note that any F-1 off-campus request in "Requested" status for longer than 180 days is automatically canceled by SEVIS.

Additionally, off-campus employment recommendations cannot exceed one year, except for employment during Special Student Relief (SSR). SSR is enacted by the Department of Homeland Security when there is severe unrest or natural disasters in specific countries. This classification allows international students to apply for full-time off-campus work permits and enroll part-time.

International students seeking permission to work under the sponsorship of an international organization, as defined by the International Organization Immunities Act, must submit a written certification from the organization, a Form I-20 ID endorsed for employment, and a completed Form I-765 with the required fee.

Overall, while international students can work off-campus in certain situations, it is important to carefully follow the necessary procedures and requirements to obtain authorization.

Work visa requirements

International students in the United States must adhere to specific work visa requirements to seek employment. The type of visa possessed by an international student determines the nature of their employment, whether on-campus or off-campus. The F-1 visa is the most common type of student visa, and it permits students to work on campus for up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and full time during breaks. Students with F-1 visas can also work off-campus after their first academic year by obtaining Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization. CPT allows students to gain practical experience related to their major through internships, cooperative education, or practicums. OPT offers three categories: pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, and STEM OPT Extension. Students with F-1 visas can apply for OPT through USCIS and receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) indicating their valid dates of employment.

Additionally, J-1 students can work on academic training and receive work authorization in the form of a letter from their institution. They must have a written job offer to apply for work authorization. Employers can hire J-1 students to continue working for them under the H-1B visa, which is a temporary working visa for "specialty occupations." The H-1B visa is granted for two three-year periods, totaling six years of authorization. To qualify for the H-1B visa, the job must meet the prevailing wage as defined by the Department of Labor, and a bachelor's degree is typically the minimum requirement.

International students must carefully navigate the work visa requirements to maintain compliance with their visa status and avoid legal issues. Before seeking employment, students should consult with their international education advisors to understand their specific visa regulations and obtain the necessary work authorizations.

Work authorisation

International students in the US must have work authorisation before they can start working. The type of work authorisation and employment available to international students depends on their visa status.

F-1 Visa

F-1 visa holders are eligible to work on campus without prior authorisation from their designated school official. However, F-1 visa holders need to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorisation to work off campus. CPT is a type of employment that is an integral part of the curriculum or educational programme. OPT is a type of off-campus employment that is directly related to the student's major area of study. F-1 visa holders can apply for CPT or OPT work authorisation after completing their first academic year. They can also apply for OPT through USCIS, which permits certain kinds of work related to their major. There are three categories of OPT: pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, and the STEM OPT Extension. Students who have received OPT permission will be issued an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) by the USCIS.

J-1 Visa

J-1 visa holders receive work authorisation in the form of a letter issued by the RO or ARO at their institution. They must have a written job offer to apply for work authorisation.

H-1B Visa

With some planning, an employer can hire international students to work for them in the H-1B visa category for a total of six years. The job must meet two basic requirements: the salary must meet the prevailing wage as defined by the Department of Labor, and a bachelor's degree must be a minimum requirement for the position.

OPT and CPT

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after completion of their degree. The OPT program allows students to gain practical training in their major field of study. To be eligible for OPT, you must have been a full-time student for at least one year and seek a job related to your major.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an internship or training opportunity that is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT is defined as an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT must be completed before graduation, and students who have received one year or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for OPT. CPT does not require students to apply for employment authorization, whereas OPT does.

To apply for OPT, you must first receive an I-20 form with an OPT recommendation from a school official. You will then need to apply for employment authorization through Form I-765 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). OPT applications require a fee of $410, whereas CPT does not have additional fees. USCIS can take up to 90 days to process the application, so it is recommended to apply at least three months before you want to start working. You will need to pay taxes on income earned through OPT employment and will need to fill out a W-4 tax form with your employer.

Students with an F-1 visa are also allowed to work on-campus starting 30 days after their program begins. On-campus employment does not require USCIS approval, but many schools require permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during school and full-time during holidays and vacation periods if they intend to register for the next academic semester.

Frequently asked questions