Lori Meadows
International students who wish to work in the United States need to apply for a work permit. There are two non-immigrant visa categories for those wishing to study in the US, commonly known as F and M visas. F-1 students may be eligible to apply for post-completion optional practical training (OPT) upon graduation. To acquire work experience, international students must first apply for temporary employment authorization, known as either OPT or Curricular Practical Training (CPT). All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 or M-1 |
| Student status | Active in SEVIS |
| Work type | On-campus or off-campus |
| On-campus work examples | University bookstore or cafeteria |
| On-campus work application timing | Up to 30 days before the start of classes |
| On-campus work hours | Not more than 20 hours per week when school is in session |
| Off-campus work eligibility | Severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances |
| Off-campus work authorization validity | 1 year |
| Off-campus work authorization extension | Apply for continued employment authorization 6 or more months before expiry |
| Off-campus work restrictions | Cannot work before authorization |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility | Enrolled for at least 9 months |
| OPT application requirement | No job offer needed |
| OPT duration | Up to 12 months full-time |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) eligibility | Less than 12 months of full-time CPT |
| Employment authorization document | Form I-765 |
| Social Security Number (SSN) requirement | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US on F-1 visas are eligible to work on their home campuses while studying. This is known as 'on-campus employment'. On-campus employment is specific to work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university bookstore, cafeteria, or research facility.
To be eligible for on-campus employment, students must be enrolled in an academic program full-time and maintain their F-1 status. They may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during school breaks and summer vacation. Students may begin working on campus up to 30 days before the start of classes.
To apply for on-campus employment, students should talk to their Designated School Official (DSO). If approved, the DSO will provide a letter of approval, which the student must take, along with a letter of approval from their employer, to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). Students with on-campus employment must also report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration.
It's important to note that the exact policies about on-campus work for international students may vary by school. Students should consult their school's international student services office and their primary ISS adviser for specific information. Additionally, treaties between a student's home country and the US government can affect income tax requirements, so students should be sure to understand the tax implications of their on-campus employment.
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Off-campus employment
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus, but only under certain conditions. Firstly, they must have completed one full academic year with their F-1 status. Secondly, they must be able to demonstrate a severe economic hardship occurring after their enrollment, or emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emergent circumstances include world events like natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises, which cause economic hardship for a specific group of F-1 students.
In such cases, students can apply for off-campus work authorization by submitting Form I-765 to USCIS. However, they must not begin working while the form is pending approval, and they must withdraw the application if the SEVIS status is still "Requested". The off-campus employment authorization is valid for one year from the date of issuance or until the completion of the program, whichever comes first.
Students can also seek employment off-campus through an internship with an international organization. To be eligible, the internship must be within the United States and with a public international organization that falls under the International Organization Immunities Act.
Additionally, students can gain work experience through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT). OPT is available after graduation, while CPT can be pursued during or after the course of study. Both OPT and CPT allow for part-time work during the academic year and full-time work during breaks and summer vacations. It is important to note that engaging in full-time CPT for 12 months or more will result in the loss of OPT benefits upon graduation.
To summarize, while off-campus employment for international students on F-1 visas is restricted, there are several pathways available, including economic hardship, emergent circumstances, internships with international organizations, and practical training programs like OPT and CPT.
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Temporary employment authorization
International students in the US can obtain temporary employment authorization under specific circumstances, whether during their studies or after graduation. This is a longstanding and well-established precedent, and the application process is straightforward.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of temporary employment authorization that allows international students to gain work experience related to their major area of study. It is available to F-1 students who have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). OPT can be authorized for up to 12 months before or after completing academic studies, but the pre-completion OPT duration will be deducted from the post-completion OPT period. Students with degrees in certain STEM fields can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT if they meet specific requirements, including employment by an E-Verify enrolled employer.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another form of work authorization that enables F-1 students to engage in practical training within their academic field after completing one year of full-time study. CPT allows students to work full or part-time during internships, which are common CPT opportunities.
On-Campus Employment
F-1 students with Active SEVIS status may apply for on-campus employment, which includes work on campus or at educationally affiliated off-campus locations. These students can work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and exceed this limit during breaks and annual vacations.
Off-Campus Employment
Off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students is generally limited to cases of severe economic hardship occurring after enrollment or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or international financial crises. USCIS approval is required before commencing off-campus work, and the authorization typically ends one year after issuance or upon program completion, whichever comes first.
Social Security Number
All students who intend to work, regardless of the type of employment, must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). However, a Social Security Number alone is not sufficient proof of work authorization for international students. Employers must confirm work authorization before the employment start date to prevent any liability for both parties.
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Social Security Number requirements
International students on F-1 visas may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. To apply, they must talk to their Designated School Official (DSO), who will provide a letter of approval. Along with a letter of approval from their employer, this letter can be used to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
International students are eligible to apply for an SSN only after securing a job or internship in the U.S. and obtaining an employment verification letter from their institution. This can cover on-campus employment, CPT, or OPT. Students should apply for an SSN as soon as possible after getting a job offer.
To apply for an SSN, students should start the process online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card. They must then present their original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status, as well as any relevant letters from the DSO and employer, within 45 days. They should visit their local Social Security Administration office to show their documents in person.
Students will need to provide:
- ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter or a copy of their J-1 admission stamp in their passport and a printout of their electronic I-94 information
- An employment offer letter from their department/hiring office
- Documentation for employment authorization from their ISS adviser or sponsoring agency
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F-1 student status
F-1 students are allowed to work in certain circumstances. On-campus employment is the most common type of work for F-1 students. It does not require approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, students may be required to obtain permission from their school's International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment, and they may not be permitted to work during their first semester or year. To work on campus, students must maintain valid F-1 status, and their work must not displace a US student or LPR. F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during holidays and vacation periods.
Off-campus employment is more restricted for F-1 students. They may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but after this, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and off-campus employment due to economic hardship. CPT employment must be directly related to the student's major or field of study and an integral part of their degree program or a requirement for a course for which they receive academic credit. Students must have a job offer before applying for CPT employment and must have been enrolled full-time for a year under valid F-1 status. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total, and students can apply for pre-completion OPT or post-completion OPT. To be eligible for off-campus employment due to economic hardship, students must have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study and be experiencing economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security's emergent circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US with a valid F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus, but only after obtaining authorization from the USCIS and their school's International Student Office.
To obtain off-campus work authorization, international students must first demonstrate an ability to afford school and living expenses. Then, they must obtain an internship offer with an international organization and work with their DSO to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS.
On-campus employment is the most freely available option for international students in the US. F-1 students with active status may apply for on-campus jobs up to 30 days before classes start. However, they may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session.
