Ibrahim Gardner
International students who wish to study in the United States must obtain a student visa. There are two types of nonimmigrant visas available: the F visa and the M visa. Students with an F-1 visa may accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions, and can engage in off-campus employment after their first academic year. To work off-campus, F-1 students must first obtain an internship offer and apply for an Employment Authorization Document. Students with an M-1 visa can engage in practical training after they have completed their studies. After graduating, international students can apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension or a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT extension to stay and work in the US legally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1, M-1 |
| Student visa requirements | Enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program, school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, enrolled as a full-time student, proficient in English or enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency, sufficient funds for self-support, maintain a residence abroad |
| On-campus employment | Most freely available, does not require USCIS approval, may require permission from the International Student Office |
| Off-campus employment | Four categories, must be related to the area of study, must be authorized by the Designated School Official |
| Employment Authorization Document | Requires Form I-765, Form I-20, and other supporting documents |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Allows students to stay in the US legally after graduation, can be completed before or after graduation, duration depends on the program |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | Off-campus employment option, must be an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program, must be required for the degree or academic credit must be awarded |
| H-1B visa | Allows students to stay in the US for a limited number of years |
| Green card | Requires employer sponsorship, asylum, or sponsorship from a relative who owns a business |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the United States with an F1 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 Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F1 visa holders.
F1 visa holders may work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and full-time during school break periods (up to 40 hours per week). To apply for on-campus employment, students must talk to their Designated School Official (DSO) and obtain a letter of approval. This letter, along with a letter of approval from their employer, is required to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), which is necessary to get a job in the United States.
It is important to note that on-campus employment opportunities at most schools are limited, and students may not rely on them to prove financial resources for the year. Additionally, students must ensure they follow all rules and regulations regarding employment, as working illegally can lead to problems that may jeopardize their student status and even result in deportation.
Work in Canada: US Masters, International Student Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Off-campus employment
International students in the United States on F1 visas have several options for off-campus employment. However, there are strict rules and requirements that must be met, and students should consult their International Student Office or Counsellor for guidance.
Firstly, F1 students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and be in good academic standing to qualify for off-campus employment. The work must be directly related to the student's area of study and must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) before starting. This official is responsible for maintaining the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and recommending the student's eligibility.
One option for off-campus employment is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which 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 must be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program, and the work experience must be required for the degree or academic credit must be awarded. CPT is considered part-time work, limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year, but it can be full-time during breaks and summer vacations.
Another option is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is available for students in certain subjects if they are employed by companies enrolled in the E-Verify program. OPT can be full-time or part-time, and students can only receive one 12-month period per educational degree level.
In special circumstances, such as financial hardship or unexpected world events, F1 students may apply for off-campus employment authorisation. This is called Special Student Relief (SSR) and is determined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
To apply for off-campus employment, students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", along with the required fees and documents. The process can take up to 12 weeks or longer, and employment authorisation is automatically terminated if the student fails to maintain valid F1 status.
Working Hours for International Students: Rules and Exceptions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the United States on F1 visas are permitted to work under certain conditions. One such condition is Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum, including "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school".
There are two types of CPT: required and optional. Required CPT is when the academic program mandates practical work experience for all students to graduate. Optional CPT is work experience directly related to your field of study that is not required. CPT employment is only available prior to the completion of your degree program, and you must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program, and students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT. Full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, 8 credit hours for graduate students, and 6 credit hours for Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student Research Assistants.
To apply for CPT, you must first take the CPT Certification Course and save your CPT Certificate as a PDF. Next, meet with your employer and obtain a Detailed Training Description. You should then meet with your Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss your CPT plans and show them the Detailed Training Description. If your advisor believes the training is integral to your curriculum, they may recommend you for CPT by completing the Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. Your advisor may also help you enroll in a Registrar-designated CPT course, if applicable. Gather all the required documents listed in the 'Documentation Needed to Apply' and log in to the M-Passport portal. Click on 'Requests > CPT Authorization' and follow the instructions. An International Student and Scholar Advisor will review your CPT application.
It is important to note that CPT authorization is strongly recommended for all unpaid internships, whether the student needs to provide employment authorization documents to the company or not. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
International Students: Are They Exempt from Social Security Tax?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students on an F-1 visa who graduate from a US college or university qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT). This allows them to gain relevant work experience in their field of study. The OPT is valid for one year, and students can work full-time or part-time.
To apply for OPT, a foreign student must first reach out to the Designated School Official (DSO) at their college or university to endorse Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing Form I-20 and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The student must then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), along with the required fee and supporting documentation.
Once the OPT is approved by the USCIS, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The student must not begin working before the start date on the EAD. It is important to note that the OPT application process can be lengthy and involves multiple steps and players. Any mistakes or delays can impact the final authorized OPT start date.
There are two types of OPT: pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. Pre-completion OPT allows students to work part-time (20 hours per week or more) while they are still pursuing their degree. Post-completion OPT allows students to work full-time after they have graduated. It is important to note that transferring to another school or beginning studies at a higher level will automatically terminate the authorization to engage in OPT employment.
For students who have earned degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there is an option to apply for a STEM OPT extension. The STEM OPT extension allows for an additional 17 or 24 months of OPT, depending on the specific circumstances. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet certain requirements, including having a degree from a designated STEM program and being employed by a company enrolled in the E-Verify program.
Working in Russia: Opportunities for International Students
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Post-graduation work visas
International students can work in the USA and Australia after graduation, provided they have the right visas. In the US, international students on F-1 visas may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and severe economic hardship employment. CPT is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. To qualify, the work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. OPT is available for students enrolled in companies in the E-Verify program and studying specific subjects. F-1 students may also 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. To work under the severe economic hardship provision, students must show that new, unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created severe economic hardship, such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment.
Students on F-1 visas are generally entitled to up to one year of post-completion practical training, which can include CPT, OPT, or severe economic hardship employment. To stay in the US after graduation, students can apply for an H1-B visa, which is granted for an initial period of three years and can be extended for an additional three years. Students can also apply for a green card, which permits them to work anywhere in the US, receive financial benefits, and live in the US indefinitely. However, because green cards are in high demand, they may take many years to obtain. Students can also apply for a B-1/B-2 visa, which allows multiple entries into the US and a maximum stay of 180 days. To be eligible, students must prove that their travel is temporary and that they can self-fund the entire trip.
In Australia, international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa, which lets them live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.
International Students: Pathway to US Citizenship
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can get a working visa. Students can apply for an "employment authorization document" (EAD) with the help of their International Student Office. After receiving the EAD, students may work for any employer in the United States.
There are two types of working visas available for international students: F and M visas. The F-1 visa is for students enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. The M-1 visa is for students enrolled in vocational or other non-academic programs, except language training.
The requirements for getting a working visa as an international student vary depending on the country and the type of visa. However, some general requirements include:
- Being enrolled as a full-time student at an approved school
- Having sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies
- Maintaining a residence in your home country that you do not intend to give up
- Having a valid passport and proof of financial support
