Savanna Hoffman
International students often consider freelancing as a way to gain work experience and build a career in their desired field. While freelancing can be a rewarding path, offering flexibility and access to new opportunities, it is important to navigate the complex visa requirements and work restrictions. International students on academic programs in the US, for example, face tight work restrictions, and must carefully understand their visa type and the work it authorizes to avoid losing their visa or being banned from re-entry to the US. With planning and good record-keeping, it is possible for international students to legally freelance while on a student visa, both before and after their studies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work authorization | Required for international students in the US |
| Work hours | No more than 20 hours a week while classes are in session |
| Work nature | All work must be related to the student's academic major or field of study |
| Visa type | F-1 visa holders cannot work outside of campus |
| OPT | Can be used for freelancing, allowing full-time work of up to 40 hours a week |
| CPT | Allows remote work opportunities, with full-time and part-time options |
| Record-keeping | Detailed records of all work, contracts, and communications should be maintained |
| Sponsorships | Considered paid work by the US government, requiring work authorization |
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Work authorization
International students in the US on F1 visas have tight work restrictions, which can make it difficult to freelance. However, it is possible to freelance legally while on a student visa, both before and after graduation, with proper work authorization and planning.
International students in the US who want to work remotely for a company based in another country should explore their work authorization options. Students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week, and this can be remote or partially remote, such as working as a social media coordinator for the school's career centre. Students can also take advantage of OPT (Optional Practical Training) or CPT (Curricular Practical Training) programs, which allow for remote work opportunities, as long as all other requirements are fulfilled. OPT can be used for freelancing, and students can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) after graduation. Students with a qualifying STEM major can extend their post-completion OPT by up to 24 months, but they cannot freelance on this extension. CPT allows for part-time work (up to 20 hours per week) while classes are in session, and all work must be related to the student's field of study.
Record-Keeping
It is important to keep detailed records of all work, including contracts, communications, and timesheets. Students should also ensure that all work is related to their academic major to ensure legality while freelancing on OPT.
Visa Status
It is crucial to only do work that is legally authorized to avoid issues with visa status and future visa applications. Freelancing on an F1 visa is only allowed through OPT or CPT opportunities, and students must receive school authorization to pursue off-campus work.
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Visa status
International students on an F1 visa in the US are subject to strict work restrictions. An F1 visa does not allow international students to work outside of campus. Students on this visa can only work through OPT or CPT opportunities, which must be authorised and can be full-time during breaks and part-time during classes.
International students on an F1 visa can freelance, but only if the work is related to their academic major and they have the proper work authorisation. This could be through OPT or CPT programs. Students must also keep detailed records of all work, including contracts and correspondence.
Students on an F1 visa can also work on campus, which can include remote work, but only for up to 20 hours per week.
International students in the US can also earn income through other means, such as rental properties, stocks and investments, and royalties from publications in another country.
It is important to only do work that is legally authorised to avoid issues with visa status and future visa applications. The penalty for working illegally in the US is severe and may result in losing one's student visa, being banned from future visas, and banned from re-entering the US for three to ten years.
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On-campus jobs
International students in the US on F-1 visas are only authorised to work on campus unless they get additional work authorisation. On-campus jobs are a great option for international students looking to gain work experience and earn some money while studying. Here are some things to know about on-campus jobs:
Availability
Work Hours and Remote Options
International students are typically allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year while classes are in session. During holiday breaks, the work hours may be extended to up to 37.5 hours per week. Some on-campus jobs may even offer remote or partially remote options, such as working as a social media coordinator for the school's career centre.
Variety of Roles
No Work Authorisation Needed
One of the most significant advantages of on-campus jobs is that international students typically do not need to obtain additional work authorisation to be employed by their university. This makes the process more accessible and streamlined compared to seeking off-campus employment.
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Off-campus work
International students in the US on F-1 visas are allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours a week. However, 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 off-campus. This includes unpaid work such as an unpaid internship or volunteer positions.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work off-campus either before or after graduation in a job related to their major. According to USCIS, self-employment is allowed on OPT, which means freelancing is allowed. Students can work full-time on post-completion OPT, for up to 40 hours a week in total, for both US and non-US companies. However, students cannot freelance on the STEM OPT extension.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid internships during their studies. CPT is authorized by the student's university and must be part of the student's program of study.
International students intending to freelance off-campus should contact their university's international student office to inquire about their options. The type of work authorization a student can request depends on their visa and what stage they are at in their program.
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Post-graduation OPT
International students on F-1 visas in the US have tight work restrictions, but with proper planning and record-keeping, they can legally freelance both before and after graduation. This is possible through pre-graduation and post-graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a type of temporary employment authorisation directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least two consecutive semesters and plan to seek employment in the US in their field of study. Students can apply for OPT authorisation for up to 12 months before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.
For post-graduation OPT, students can work full-time, up to 40 hours per week, for US-based or foreign companies. Students can even freelance for multiple clients as long as their total hours do not exceed the OPT limit. It is important to note that all work must be related to the student's academic major, and they must keep detailed records of all work. Students on post-completion OPT may have up to 90 days of unemployment.
If a student has earned a degree in certain STEM fields, they may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. However, they cannot freelance on the STEM OPT extension. To apply for OPT, students should submit the OPT I-20 Request E-Form and Form I-765. They will also need to receive their Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) before starting OPT.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work as freelancers in the US, but they must ensure they have the correct work authorization. Students can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week) or part-time (up to 20 hours per week) depending on whether they have graduated or not.
The first step is to talk to the designated school official (DSO) of your university’s international student office. They can help you navigate your school’s requirements to get work authorizations. You can also apply through your college and start the application process up to 90 days before your first academic year ends. You will also need to submit the required paperwork directly to USCIS.
All work must be related to your academic major and you must keep detailed records of all work. You can only work outside of campus with a working permit.
The penalty for working illegally in the US is severe. You may lose your student visa, be banned from getting another visa in the future, and be banned from re-entering the US for three or ten years.
