International Students: Full-Time Work In Summer Break?

International students in the USA on an F-1 visa are subject to strict rules regarding employment. F-1 students are generally expected to be full-time students and are limited to working on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer and other breaks. However, F-1 students may be eligible to work off-campus in cases of severe economic hardship, or if the work is an integral part of their academic program (Curricular Practical Training, or CPT). Students must obtain prior authorization for off-campus employment, and may be required to apply for a Social Security Number.

F-1 students can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods

F-1 students are eligible to work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods. However, they must be enrolled as full-time students when school is in session and should not plan to work off-campus. F-1 students must show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States.

F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session or during annual vacations. They can also work full-time during the summer and other breaks, provided they intend to return to school after the break. To work on campus, F-1 students must obtain a letter of certification to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number.

F-1 students can also work off-campus in certain circumstances, such as severe economic hardship, emergent circumstances, or special student relief. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of off-campus employment available to F-1 students when practical training is integral to their academic program. CPT can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study.

To maintain their F-1 status, international students must follow all employment-related guidelines and ensure they have proper authorization before beginning any work. Working illegally can result in losing F-1 student status and being forced to leave the United States.

Off-campus work is illegal without official authorization

International students with an F-1 visa are generally not permitted to work off-campus without official authorization. Working off-campus without authorization is illegal, and students found working illegally will fail to maintain their F-1 status and may have their visa revoked.

F-1 students can work in certain training programs, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is a full-time or part-time training opportunity available during the school year or annual summer vacation. CPT 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." To qualify, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT may be paid or unpaid, and prior authorization is required from both the school's International Student Office and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

Another option is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is a form of work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. OPT must be directly related to the student's major, and students must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS to receive authorization. Students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before graduation, but it is recommended to apply at least 45 days before graduation to ensure timely processing.

F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis due to special situations, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. In such cases, the work must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting work.

It is important to note that the eligibility requirements and regulations for off-campus employment are strict and complex. International students should consult with their school's DSO or International Student Office to ensure they follow the proper procedures and maintain their student status.

Students must be enrolled full-time when school is in session

International students with an F-1 visa are allowed to work in the United States, but their employment opportunities are restricted. F-1 students can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks. However, to be eligible for on-campus employment, students must be enrolled full-time when school is in session and maintain their F-1 status.

F-1 students can also work off-campus in certain circumstances, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. Off-campus employment must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students must maintain their full-time status when school is in session, even if they are working off-campus during the break.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of off-campus employment that provides practical training related to the student's field of study. CPT can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience that fulfils academic credit or part of the degree requirement. To be eligible for CPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for one year on valid F-1 status.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another option for F-1 students, providing up to 12 months of work authorisation in areas related to their major. OPT can be full-time during the summer vacation and must be authorised by the USCIS before beginning the training. Students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 status to be eligible for OPT.

It is important to note that international students must maintain their full-time status when school is in session, regardless of their employment choices. Working without authorisation can result in losing F-1 student status and facing legal consequences.

Students must be able to afford living and school expenses

International students in the US on an F-1 visa must be able to prove that they can afford living and school expenses before entering the country. This is a requirement of the visa, and students must show that they have sufficient funds available to support themselves for the entire duration of their studies.

F-1 students are permitted to work in certain circumstances, but this is not a substitute for proof of financial resources for the year. On-campus employment is the most freely permitted type of work, and F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week when school is not in session. However, on-campus jobs are often not related to a student's studies and may not be relied upon as a source of income.

Students can also work off-campus in some cases, but this is subject to stricter eligibility requirements and must be authorized in advance. Off-campus employment is generally only permitted in cases of severe economic hardship, emergent circumstances (such as natural disasters or international financial crises), or as part of Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is a form of paid or unpaid internship or practicum that is integral to a student's degree program or required for a course. To qualify for CPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for one year on valid F-1 status and must receive prior authorization from their school's International Student Office and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Students may also be able to work full-time during the summer through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is available for up to 12 months either before or after graduation. OPT must be directly related to the student's major and requires authorization from USCIS. Students can also participate in summer internships, which may be authorized as practical training experiences, or as paid or unpaid Curricular Practical Training.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a paid or unpaid internship option

F-1 students can engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as a paid or unpaid internship option. CPT is an off-campus employment opportunity for F-1 students when the practical training is integral to their academic program or curriculum. To qualify, the work experience must be required for the student's degree, or they must receive academic credit for it. CPT employment can include internships, cooperative education, or other types of required internships or practicums offered by sponsoring employers through agreements with the school.

Prior authorization from the school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is mandatory. Additionally, students must have maintained full-time enrollment for a year on valid F-1 status, except for graduate programs that require immediate CPT. CPT employment must be an integral part of the degree program or a requirement for a course for which academic credit is received. Students can work full-time during the summer and other breaks as long as they intend to return to school after the break.

Students with CPT authorization can work full-time during annual vacations or holidays, provided they intend to register for the next academic semester. CPT authorization is only necessary when the training takes place within the United States. For instance, a summer internship in the student's home country does not require CPT authorization. Students must also ensure they maintain their F-1 status by being enrolled as full-time students and demonstrating sufficient funds to cover their expenses.

It is important to note that students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time CPT may become ineligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training). OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time, and part-time OPT reduces the available full-time OPT duration.

Frequently asked questions