Douglas Olsen
International students in the US on F-1 visas are allowed to work part-time on campus for up to 20 hours per week when school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus work is generally not permitted, except in cases of economic hardship or emergent circumstances, and must be directly related to the student's major. Students must obtain prior authorization from their Designated School Official (DSO) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before starting any off-campus work. To get an on-campus job, students must apply up to 30 days before the start of classes and obtain a Social Security Number (SSN).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 or M-1 |
| Visa criteria | Enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program; school approved by Student and Exchange Visitors Program; enrolled as a full-time student; proficient in English; sufficient funds for self-support; residence abroad |
| On-campus employment | Allowed for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks; must apply up to 30 days before classes start; requires a Social Security Number (SSN) |
| Off-campus employment | F-1 students must complete one academic year and meet eligibility requirements; M-1 students must have an internship offer from an international organization |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | Paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the field of study; requires prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to USCIS; must have a job offer before submitting CPT authorization request |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Work authorization for up to one year in areas related to the student's major; can be pre-completion or post-completion; requires F-1 status and enrollment for at least one academic year |
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What You'll Learn
- F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week
- Off-campus work is restricted to specific eligibility requirements
- Students must apply for a Social Security Number to work
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of paid or unpaid internship
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows work in your major field for up to a year
F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week
International students with F-1 visas are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. This can include working in a university bookstore, cafeteria, or other facilities that directly provide services to students. Students can apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes by speaking to their Designated School Official (DSO).
F-1 visa holders are required to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) to work on-campus. To do so, they must submit a letter of approval from their DSO and their employer. It is important to note that F-1 students are generally not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, after the first year, they may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions, such as economic hardship or through specific programs like Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT is a form of employment that trains students in their field of study and can include internships, cooperative education jobs, or practicums. To be eligible for CPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for one year on valid F-1 status, and the employment must be an integral part of their degree program or a requirement for a course. OPT, on the other hand, allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation.
It is crucial for international students to follow the regulations and obtain proper authorization before seeking employment in the United States. Working illegally can lead to severe consequences, including the loss of student status and potential deportation.
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Off-campus work is restricted to specific eligibility requirements
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 Services (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option, while off-campus work is restricted to specific eligibility requirements.
Firstly, an F-1 student must have completed at least one academic year and be in good academic standing before being authorized for off-campus employment. Secondly, the student must demonstrate that on-campus employment is either unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. This includes providing evidence of economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.
Additionally, any 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 prior to starting work. The DSO will provide the student with a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," which must be endorsed and submitted within 30 days. The student must also file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and pay a fee to USCIS. If approved, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), and can begin working off-campus.
It is important to note that F-1 students are generally expected to show an ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the United States and should not plan on working off-campus to meet these financial needs. Off-campus employment authorization is typically only granted in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after enrollment or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Overall, while international students on F-1 visas in the United States may work off-campus, they must meet strict eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization to do so. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in losing their F-1 student status.
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Students must apply for a Social Security Number to work
International students in the US on F-1 visas 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 apply to off-campus employment. Students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization to work off-campus.
To work in the US, international students must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). The SSN is a 9-digit number issued to citizens and eligible non-citizens for the primary purpose of tracking individuals for taxation. It is also used to report an employee's earnings or a student's taxable scholarship benefits. While it is not required for other purposes, such as obtaining a driver's license or opening a bank account, it is often used as a matter of convenience for these reasons.
To apply for an SSN, students must first obtain valid employment authorization. On-campus employment requires a letter from the hiring department confirming the job offer. For off-campus employment, students must obtain a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Students must then submit a Social Security Letter Request to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). The OISS will issue a letter confirming that the student has secured employment and is enrolled as a full-time student in good standing.
Students can then complete the Social Security Number application online and take their original documents to the local Social Security Administration Office. The Social Security Administration will verify the student's immigration information before mailing the SSN and card, which can take up to 4 weeks or more. It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US, but it is required for those who have been authorized to work.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of paid or unpaid internship
International students in the United States on F-1 visas 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 they are not. However, strict rules govern off-campus employment for international students. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid or unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is considered academic and not solely for employment purposes, and the internship or practicum must be considered an integral part of the student's degree program.
To be eligible for CPT, students must be enrolled full-time for the semester they wish to pursue CPT, with the exception of their final semester. Students must also maintain their F-1 status each semester. CPT can be part-time or full-time, and there is no maximum number of hours placed on CPT. However, students must continue to maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. CPT must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) or the student's Academic Advisor/Internship Coordinator, and it must occur before the student's program end date. Students must also have their DSO's endorsement on their Form I-20 and not begin CPT before the indicated start date. CPT is only required when the training takes place inside the United States.
To apply for CPT, students must complete the CPT I-20 Request Form and attach an internship offer letter for review. Students must also register for an internship course or a class that requires an internship during the semester they wish to do CPT, unless their degree program does not require registration for an internship course. Students must successfully complete all internship courses to be eligible for current and future CPT authorizations. CPT is not a way to continue OPT/STEM OPT employment that has ended, and students who have received one year or more of full-time CPT are ineligible for post-completion OPT at the same educational level.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows work in your major field for up to a year
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are generally allowed 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, they cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization.
One way for F-1 students to gain off-campus work authorization is through Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows students to gain work experience in their major field of study for up to 12 months either before or after completing their academic studies (pre-completion or post-completion). To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. For post-completion OPT, students can apply up to 90 days before their graduation, and the OPT employment must be a minimum of 20 hours per week.
To apply for OPT, students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with the required fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Designated School Official (DSO) must also recommend OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and provide a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," signed within the last 30 days. If OPT is approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and students must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.
It is important to note that any OPT request in "Requested" status longer than 180 days is automatically canceled by SEVIS. Additionally, students cannot begin working on OPT until they receive the EAD work card, and working without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country.
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Frequently asked questions
International students with an F-1 visa are generally allowed to work on their university campus for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during school breaks. However, they must first obtain approval from their Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS.
Off-campus employment is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one academic year and who have an economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security's emergent circumstances. Off-campus training must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the DSO and USCIS.
There are two programs created for students who wish to gain experience in their field of study: Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. CPT is paid employment that trains students in their field of study and can be a required internship or practicum.
