Ibrahim Gardner
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completing their degree. After graduation, they can apply for a post-completion OPT, which allows them to work in the US for up to 12 months. Students with an F-1 visa can also gain practical experience through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) while enrolled at their college or university. Additionally, students studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) may be eligible for a STEM OPT extension, allowing them to stay and work in the US for 24 months after graduation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit for international students in the US | Allowed |
| Type of visa | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) |
| Eligibility | Students enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate |
| School accreditation | Authorized by the US government to accept foreign students |
| Employment during the first academic year | On-campus only |
| Off-campus employment | Allowed after the first academic year |
| Off-campus employment types | Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT) |
| OPT duration | Up to 12 months full-time |
| OPT eligibility | Must be enrolled for at least one academic year and in good academic standing |
| OPT application | Must be received by USCIS before the completion of the degree |
| STEM OPT extension | Allowed for students in STEM fields, valid for 24 months after graduation |
| Green card | Permits indefinite work in the US, but may take years to obtain |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 Visa and OPT extensions
The F-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the United States as full-time students at accredited academic institutions. While the F-1 Visa does not permit off-campus work during the first academic year, students may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment.
One way for international students to gain a work permit after graduating with an associate degree is to apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to their F-1 Visa. OPT is a type of temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT can be completed before or after graduation, and it allows students to work in the US for up to 12 months. To be eligible for OPT, students must have their Form I-765 approved and receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a STEM OPT extension, which provides an additional 24 months to their stay, totalling 36 months of validity. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet certain requirements, such as having their initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree. The STEM OPT extension allows students to gain hands-on experience in their major field of study and build a pathway towards their dream job.
It is important to note that working in the United States without authorization has serious consequences, including removal from the country and accrual of unlawful presence. Students must comply with federal laws and regulations when seeking employment and should carefully review the requirements for maintaining their student status.
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STEM OPT extension
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in the US after graduation by applying for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. Students with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) can apply for a STEM OPT extension, which allows them to stay and work in the US for an additional 24 months. This extension is granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is available to eligible F-1 students who are currently in a period of post-completion OPT, once per degree level (bachelor's, master's, or doctorate).
To qualify for the STEM OPT extension, students must hold a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. college or university that is accredited and certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The degree must be in a STEM field that appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Students must also have an E-Verify employer that provides formal training and learning, and they must work with their employer to complete Form I-983, which outlines the training opportunity and its direct relationship to the student's degree.
The STEM OPT extension application process includes submitting Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," endorsed by a Designated School Official (DSO), and a copy of the STEM degree. Students must apply for the extension no earlier than 90 days before the expiration of their Post-OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and within 60 days of the STEM OPT recommendation date.
It is important to note that students cannot work for themselves and must be bona fide employees of the employer signing Form I-983. Additionally, students are required to report their employment details to the DSO every six months and ensure that their employer maintains good standing with E-Verify.
By fulfilling these requirements and adhering to the application process, international students can increase their opportunities for career development and gain valuable work experience in the United States through the STEM OPT extension.
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On-campus employment
International students with an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus without requiring additional work authorization. This is unlike off-campus work, which requires authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). F-1 visa holders can work for a university employer at the school they are attending or at a school-affiliated off-campus location such as a research facility or sports stadium. The work must be directly providing services for students, for example, working in a bookstore or cafeteria.
It is important to note that international students should be eligible for all on-campus jobs unless the job specifically states otherwise. The best place to look for on-campus jobs is your college's online job board, if they have one. Many US schools use online platforms to post jobs that are open to college students. Students can also visit their college's career center for help with their resume and to find out about on-campus jobs that they qualify for. Networking is also key, so it is worth asking upperclassmen and peers how they found their on-campus jobs.
In the case of emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, or international financial crises, there may be a suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1 students, affecting on-campus employment. This is determined by the USCIS on a case-by-case basis.
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Off-campus employment
International students in the US with an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training status during and after completion of their degree. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total. Students can work full-time during the summer and other breaks as long as they intend to register for the next academic semester.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Authorised when work is required by the program or is a formal part of the degree program. CPT is usually paid but there may be unpaid occasions.
- Emergent Circumstances: World events that cause students to suffer severe economic hardship, including natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises. USCIS makes case-by-case decisions for off-campus employment for students who can show that unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created a severe economic hardship.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Optional Practical Training Extension: F-1 students may be eligible to work off-campus on a STEM OPT extension, which allows them to stay and work in the US for 24 months after graduation.
Students can begin the work permit process after being enrolled for nine months, but their employment cannot begin until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and have been enrolled for at least a year.
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Acquiring a green card
International students on an F-1 visa are permitted to work on-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). CPT must be completed while enrolled at a college or university, whereas OPT can be completed before or after graduation, allowing graduates to stay in the US legally for up to 12 months. The STEM OPT extension allows international students to stay and work in the US for 24 months after graduation.
Although an F-1 visa allows for these work opportunities, it is temporary and does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency. Acquiring a green card is a common goal for international students who wish to work in the US after graduation. While it is possible to obtain a green card with an associate degree, it is generally much harder. Most green card applications require at least a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent. However, relevant post-secondary education, such as an associate's degree, may be considered as training for certain skilled worker positions.
- Receive employer sponsorship: If you gain employment while on an F-1 visa, your employer can sponsor you by making an application for an EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card.
- Obtain an EB-1B visa: This requires at least three years of experience in teaching or research in an academic field, which can be obtained while pursuing an advanced degree.
- Demonstrate exceptional ability: Provide evidence of a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award relating to a field of exceptional ability. Additionally, showcase at least ten years of full-time experience in your field, a license or certification to practice your profession, or recognition for significant contributions to your industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students with an F-1 visa are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after earning an associate degree.
International students with an F-1 visa can apply for OPT up to nine months after being enrolled and can begin employment after receiving their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
OPT is limited to 12 months of full-time work in total. Part-time OPT during studies reduces the available full-time OPT by half the amount of part-time work. OPT must be completed within 14 months after the completion of the degree.
Yes, international students can also explore Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is authorized when work is a required or formal part of the degree program. Additionally, students in STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.
