Lana Oconnell
International students in the United States on F-1 visas are permitted to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. To work on campus, students must maintain a full-time course load and have valid documentation. Off-campus work is also possible, but specific criteria and restrictions apply. Students must obtain prior authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS, and the work must be related to their area of study. CPT and OPT programs offer further opportunities for international students to gain work experience, but eligibility requirements and restrictions apply.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 or M-1 |
| Work hours during school term | 20 hours maximum |
| Work hours during breaks | Full-time |
| Work location | On-campus or off-campus |
| Off-campus work requirements | Related to the student's major, authorized by Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS |
| On-campus work requirements | Employer must be educationally affiliated with the school |
| Social Security Number (SSN) | Required for employment, obtained after a job offer |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | Off-campus employment option after a full academic year, requires authorization |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Up to 12 months of full-time work, requires Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS |
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What You'll Learn
- F-1 Visa holders can work full-time during breaks
- CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is paid, off-campus work related to your degree
- OPT (Optional Practical Training) is work authorised for up to 12 months full-time
- International students need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work
- Off-campus work requires permission from the DSO (Designated School Official)
F-1 Visa holders can work full-time during breaks
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are allowed to work, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). F-1 visa holders are permitted to work full-time during breaks, including the summer break, as long as they intend to return to school after the break. They may also work full-time after the completion of all coursework if a thesis or dissertation is still required and the student is making normal progress towards their degree.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and economic hardship employment. CPT is training in the student's field of study for which they receive academic credit or which fulfills part of a degree requirement. It may take the form of a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. Students suffering "severe economic hardship," as defined by USCIS, may also be eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time during breaks.
To work off-campus, F-1 students must obtain authorization prior to starting work. Off-campus work authorization requires case-by-case approval from USCIS, and students must be able to show that working will not adversely impact their ability to attend school full-time and maintain academic standing. On-campus employment at an off-campus location is available to all F-1 students except border commuter students, and F-1 students do not need USCIS approval for this type of employment. However, the employment must be for an employer educationally affiliated with the school.
F-1 students are limited to working 20 hours per week during the school term and 40 hours per week during breaks and vacations. Students who work more than 20 hours per week during the school term are in violation of their F-1 student status and may face serious immigration repercussions.
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CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is paid, off-campus work related to your degree
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are generally permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. However, there are strict rules regarding off-campus employment. One such exception is CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, which allows international students to gain work experience related to their field of study. CPT is a type of work authorization that permits F-1 visa students to participate in paid, off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. This training must be considered an integral part of a student's degree program and directly related to their major.
To be eligible for CPT, students must be enrolled full-time and maintain their F-1 status. CPT authorization is given on a semester-by-semester basis, and students must apply separately for each semester. Students must also have their CPT authorization and employment information annotated on their CPT I-20 form, which is provided by their Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO will only recommend CPT if the student can show that working will not adversely affect their ability to maintain full-time student status and academic standing. Additionally, students must have a specific job or internship offer and can only begin CPT after the start date indicated on their Form I-20.
CPT is distinct from OPT, or Optional Practical Training, which is work authorization for up to one year either before or after graduation. OPT is available to students who have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have maintained their F-1 status. While CPT is considered an integral part of a degree program, OPT is not and can be authorized before or after the completion of a degree. Students can engage in CPT and OPT simultaneously, but CPT authorization during the first semester is typically reserved for students in master's or doctorate programs that require immediate CPT participation.
It is important to note that CPT and OPT are subject to different regulations and restrictions. For example, students who have completed 12 months of full-time CPT during their degree program may become ineligible for OPT after graduation. Additionally, CPT and OPT are not valid reasons to remain in the United States after graduation, and students must either transfer to another program or change their visa status within 60 days of completing their CPT or OPT.
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OPT (Optional Practical Training) is work authorised for up to 12 months full-time
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are permitted to 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, strict rules govern international students who want to work off-campus during their studies.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work authorization available for eligible F-1 students, allowing them to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. OPT can be authorized for up to 12 months of full-time employment, either before or after graduation (pre-completion OPT or post-completion OPT). To be eligible, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and maintain their F-1 status.
The process for applying for OPT involves multiple steps and can be complex. Students must first request a recommendation from their Designated School Official (DSO), who will endorse their Form I-20. Then, they must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with the required fee and supporting documentation, to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). USCIS will review the application, and if approved, they will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students must not begin working before the start date on their EAD, and they must comply with all regulations to maintain their student status and work authorization.
It is important to note that working without authorization in the United States can have serious consequences, including removal from the country and re-entry bars. Additionally, F-1 students who have earned degrees in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT, known as the STEM OPT Extension.
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International students need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. They may also be eligible for off-campus employment after their first academic year, but this must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
To work in the United States, international students must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). An SSN is a 9-digit employee identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to track earnings over a worker's lifetime. While an SSN is not a work permit, it is required by the U.S. government for tax and employment reporting purposes. International students must, therefore, apply for an SSN as soon as they get a job offer.
To apply for an SSN, international students must bring certain documents to the Social Security Office, including:
- A letter from their employer, on company letterhead, stating the job title, work hours, start date, and rate of pay
- A letter from the International Student Services Office confirming their eligibility to work
- Their passport, F-1 visa, and I-94 number
- Their Form I-20
- Completed Social Security Number application
It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S. International students must ensure they have the necessary work authorization before applying for an SSN. Additionally, F-1 students must provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).
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Off-campus work requires permission from the DSO (Designated School Official)
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. However, off-campus work is highly restricted and requires prior authorization.
To obtain permission to work off-campus, international students must meet certain eligibility requirements and obtain authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) at their Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. The DSO is responsible for assisting and overseeing enrolled F and M students, and ensuring they understand the guidelines for off-campus employment.
To be eligible for off-campus work authorization, students must demonstrate that working will not adversely affect their ability to attend school full-time and maintain their academic standing. Additionally, they must show severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. The DSO will evaluate these criteria and make a recommendation for off-campus employment on a case-by-case basis.
If the DSO certifies the student's eligibility, they must enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and provide the student with the supporting Form I-20, which serves as the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." The student will also need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS. Obtaining off-campus work authorization is a multi-step process that requires careful navigation of the regulations and timely submission of documentation.
It is important to note that the rules and regulations regarding international student employment in the United States are complex and subject to change. Students should refer to the USCIS website, consult with their DSO, and seek guidance from their International Student Services office to ensure they comply with all requirements and maintain their visa status.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US can work full-time during university holidays, including winter and summer breaks. Students with an F-1 visa can work full-time during periods when school is not in session.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. CPT employment can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to 12 months full-time. OPT can be done pre-completion or post-completion, and students must apply for it before receiving their degree.
International students must maintain a full course of study and possess valid documentation to work on-campus. Students with an F-1 visa can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
