Winter Work Breaks: International Students' Full-Time Opportunities

International students often face challenges during the winter break, as travelling home can be expensive and time-consuming. However, there are ways to spend the winter break productively, such as staying on campus, exploring other parts of the country, or even finding seasonal jobs to earn some extra money. For international students in the US and Canada, there are specific rules and requirements regarding employment, which differ depending on the type of visa and student status. F-1 students in the US, for example, are eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during breaks if they experience severe economic hardship. In Canada, international students can work full-time during scheduled breaks without a work permit, but they must be full-time students before and after the break.

International students in Canada can work full-time during breaks

International students in Canada can work full-time jobs during scheduled breaks, such as winter and summer holidays, or a reading week. This is providing that they were full-time students both before and after the break. Students must also ensure that they are meeting the other requirements for working while studying.

International students can work on-campus without a work permit, and there is no limit to the number of hours they can work. On-campus work includes employment within the buildings or grounds of a school's campus, including jobs with the school itself, faculty members, student organisations, or private businesses that operate on campus. Students can even work for themselves if they own a business that is physically located on campus.

Students can also work off-campus, but they must have a study permit that includes this information. Students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit, and this change came into effect on November 15, 2024. However, students must be mindful of the number of hours they work, as working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of study permit conditions, and students can lose their student status.

International students can also work remotely for an employer based outside of Canada, as long as they comply with the conditions of their study permit. This remote work does not count towards the off-campus work hour limit.

International students in the US can work full-time on-campus during breaks

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work full-time on-campus during breaks, provided they intend to register for the next academic semester. This is a privilege included in their F-1 status, although many schools require students to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment.

On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by USCIS regulations, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus employment opportunities are limited at most schools, and students may not rely on these jobs to prove financial resources for the year. Additionally, on-campus jobs are often unrelated to students' majors or fields of study.

During the school term, F-1 students cannot work more than 20 hours per week. However, they may work full-time during the annual break and those periods when school is not in session, provided they will return to school after the break.

F-1 students may also be eligible to work off-campus if they are suffering "severe economic hardship", as defined by USCIS. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have valid F-1 status. They must also provide evidence of economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control and show that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient.

International students in the US can work part-time on-campus

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work part-time on-campus, as long as they are enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university. This is a great way for international students to gain valuable work experience, cover some of their education costs, and obtain their master's degree.

On-campus employment is the most accessible option for international students, as it does not require approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, students must still maintain their F-1 status and adhere to certain conditions and restrictions. For instance, students may be required to obtain permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment, and on-campus jobs may not always be available or related to their field of study.

During breaks, such as winter vacation, international students can work full-time on-campus, provided they intend to register for the next academic semester. This is a good opportunity for students to earn extra money, as there is less competition for on-campus jobs when many students leave for the holidays.

It is important to note that international students on an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, they may be eligible for off-campus employment under specific conditions, such as experiencing severe economic hardship or engaging in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs.

International students in the US can work off-campus after their first academic year

International students in the US on an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may be able to accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by USCIS regulations, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus employment opportunities are often limited, and students may need permission from the International Student Office before accepting any on-campus work.

After their first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT Extension. CPT allows students to work full-time during the summer and other breaks, as long as they will return to school after the break. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total, and part-time OPT reduces the available full-time OPT by half. The STEM OPT Extension is for F-1 students in STEM fields who have completed their first year of study and may be eligible to work off-campus.

To work off-campus, F-1 students must first obtain an internship offer and then work with the Designated School Official (DSO) to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. The DSO will enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and provide the student with the supporting Form I-20. F-1 students must also show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to rely on off-campus work. USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

International students in the US can work off-campus if they have severe economic hardship

International students in the US on an F-1 visa must show an ability to afford school and living expenses and should not plan to work off-campus. However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship. This is defined as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control that make it difficult for a student to continue their education.

To qualify for off-campus employment, the student must demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. The student must also have been enrolled for at least one academic year, be in good academic standing, and be a full-time student when school is in session. A designated school official (DSO) must verify that the student qualifies for off-campus employment by entering the information into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The DSO must then provide the student with a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," which must be endorsed. The student must then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and pay a fee to USCIS.

Approval for off-campus employment is granted on a case-by-case basis and is not based on the student's choice of employer. If approved, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document," and a letter notifying them of the decision. This authorization is valid for one year, and the student must apply for a continuation six or more months before the authorization expires if the job is still available.

It is important to note that F-1 students authorized for on-campus employment may exceed 20 hours of work per week during breaks and annual vacations.

Frequently asked questions