Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the USA on an F-1 visa have several options for working during their summer break. Students with an F-1 visa are generally permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer. Students may also be eligible for off-campus work through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a type of employment that trains students in their field of study and can be full-time or part-time during the summer. OPT provides up to 12 months of post-graduate, law-related employment and can also be full-time during the summer. Students experiencing economic hardship may also be eligible to work full-time off-campus during the summer.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work full-time during breaks and summer vacation | Yes, but only on-campus and if the student will return to school after the break |
| Work off-campus | Yes, but only after maintaining F-1 status for at least one full academic year and in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances |
| Work on-campus | Yes, for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks and summer vacation |
| Work full-time on OPT | Yes, but only after completion of all coursework, if a thesis or dissertation is still required and the student is making normal progress towards the degree |
| Work full-time on CPT | Yes, but only during breaks and summer vacation and if it's an integral part of the curriculum or educational program |
| Work full-time without restrictions | Yes, if the student has permanent resident status (green card holder) |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
To be eligible for on-campus employment, you must be in valid F-1 status, which means that you are enrolled and attending classes full time (a minimum of 12 credits at all times) and that your academic progress has been satisfactory. You will also need a Social Security Number (SSN) to work on campus, which you can apply for once you have a letter of employment from your future employer.
It is important to note that you may not rely on on-campus employment to prove financial resources for the year, and often these jobs are not related to your studies. Additionally, many schools require that you obtain permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment and may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year.
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Off-campus employment
There are three main types of off-campus employment for F1 visa students:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is a type of employment that trains you in your field of study, and for which you fulfil academic credit or part of your degree requirement. CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, a cooperative education job, a practicum, or other experience that is related to your field of study. CPT employment is defined as "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school". CPT is only available to students who have been enrolled full-time for one academic year (9 months) on an F1 visa, and the CPT employment must be an integral part of the degree program or a requirement for a course for which academic credit is awarded. Students must receive prior authorization from their school's International Student Office and notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). CPT employment can be either part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week), but students can only be approved for part-time CPT while in school. There is no limit to how long a student can work on CPT, but working full-time for 12 months or more will make the student ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
- Severe Economic Hardship Employment: This benefit is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can prove that they are experiencing severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. Students must also demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient. Eligible students can work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): F1 students may be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis as a result of special situations such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after graduation. OPT must be part-time during the academic year but can be full-time during the summer vacation.
It is important to note that working illegally will result in the loss of F1 student status and the F1 visa may be revoked. To work in the US, a Social Security Number is required.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the USA on an F1 visa have three main employment-related guidelines. Firstly, they may work at any qualifying on-campus job that does not displace a US citizen or LPR. Secondly, they may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during holidays and vacation periods.
Students must obtain prior authorization from their school's International Student Office and notify the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). CPT is only available before the completion of a student's degree program, and they must have a job offer at the time of application. Students must maintain full-time enrollment during fall and winter CPT, with CPT authorization required when the training is inside the United States. CPT is a valuable option for international students seeking off-campus employment, allowing them to gain practical experience in their field of study.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students with F-1 status in the United States can participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) to gain practical work experience. OPT is a period during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status are permitted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work for up to one year on a student visa. This practical training must be directly related to the student's major area of study. Students can apply for OPT before (pre-completion) or after (post-completion) they complete their academic studies. However, the total duration of OPT is limited to 12 months, with any pre-completion OPT duration deducted from the available post-completion OPT period.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and maintain their F-1 student status. Additionally, they must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by filing Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS. The application process may take up to 90 days, and students are advised to work closely with their school's International Student Office to maintain their lawful F1 status. It is important to note that working in the United States without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country.
OPT provides international students with valuable work experience and the opportunity to help cover their education costs. However, critics have raised concerns about the lack of government oversight and the potential for academic institutions to prioritize international students over American students due to the incentive of work authorization. There have also been allegations of U.S. companies favoring international students with OPT over American graduates.
For students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an option to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. This extension is available to eligible F-1 students who meet specific requirements, including being employed by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program and having received their initial grant of post-completion OPT based on their STEM degree.
In summary, Optional Practical Training (OPT) offers international students with F-1 status in the United States the opportunity to gain practical work experience related to their major area of study. By following the eligibility requirements and application process, students can benefit from OPT while also complying with the regulations set by USCIS.
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Social Security Number application
International students in the USA on an F1 visa are allowed to work full-time during the summer and other breaks, as long as they intend to register for the next academic semester. However, they must first obtain an internship offer and then work with the school's Designated School Official (DSO) to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), international students must first obtain legal authorization to work in the USA. A Social Security Number is required by the US government for tax and employment reporting purposes. It is also often used for other purposes, such as opening bank accounts.
Once a student has secured a job offer, they should follow these steps to apply for an SSN:
- Wait at least 2-3 weeks from your arrival in the US before requesting an SSN.
- Obtain a letter from your International Student Services Office confirming your eligibility to work.
- Gather your original documents, including your passport, F-1 visa, I-94 card or printout of your electronic I-94 information, and Form I-20.
- Complete the Social Security Number application online.
- Visit your local Social Security Administration office to show them your documents in person.
- If your application is approved, you will receive your Social Security Card within 10-14 business days.
It is important to note that simply having a Social Security Number does not grant legal authorization to work in the USA. Students must ensure they have the proper employment authorization before starting work. Additionally, students should keep their Social Security Card in a safe place, as it is difficult and costly to replace.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work full-time in the USA during the summer, but there may be restrictions depending on the student's immigration status. Students with F-1 status can work full-time on campus during the summer. Off-campus work is only permitted in cases of severe economic hardship, and students must have been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year.
CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training. It is a type of employment for F-1 students that is an integral part of their curriculum or educational program. CPT can be full-time or part-time during the summer and can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study.
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. It is a work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. OPT can be full-time during the summer and must be related to the student's major.
