Savanna Hoffman
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work but must adhere to strict guidelines. The F1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for full-time academic students at accredited US institutions. F1 students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week on-campus, in areas like campus bookstores or cafeterias, or off-campus in certain circumstances. Off-campus employment options include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), severe economic hardship, and approved international organizations. Students must maintain their F1 status and adhere to work guidelines to remain legally employed in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work eligibility | International students in the US 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 work | Allowed for up to 20 hours per week during when classes are in session, and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not |
| Off-campus work | Allowed in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total |
| Off-campus work authorization | Ends 1 year after issuance or upon completion of the program (whichever comes first) |
| Off-campus work eligibility | Students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization. Off-campus employment is only allowed in the following circumstances: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) |
| CPT eligibility | CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience that is related to the student's field of study. Students must be enrolled full-time for a year under valid F-1 status |
| CPT authorization | CPT can be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) but must be part of the academic program and be integral to the student's major field of study |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during when classes are in session, and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not. They can also work full-time during holidays and vacation periods if they intend to register for the next academic semester.
There are some restrictions on on-campus employment. The work must not displace a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR). Additionally, many schools require that students obtain permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment, and may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year.
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Off-campus employment: Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after completing their degree. OPT is a type of work permit available to eligible F1 students that allows them to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in or completing a degree program in the US and have been in valid F1 status for at least nine months. The OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major field of study and can be full-time or part-time, with a minimum of 20 hours per week.
The process for applying for OPT involves several steps and can take up to 90 days for USCIS to process the application. Firstly, the student must request that their Designated School Official (DSO) recommend OPT by endorsing their Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," and entering the recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The DSO must then print and sign the form and provide it to the student.
Next, the student must properly file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS, along with the required fee and supporting documentation. It is important to note that Form I-765 should not be filed until after receiving the DSO's OPT recommendation and updated Form I-20. If submitted before receiving the recommendation or after the 30-day post-recommendation period, USCIS will deny the application, and the student will lose their application fee.
Once USCIS approves the OPT application, they will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students must not begin working before the start date on the EAD. The OPT authorization is valid for one year, after which the student must apply for continued employment authorization if they wish to continue working.
It is important to be aware of the rules and restrictions governing OPT. For example, students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT. Additionally, any OPT employment must be authorized by both USCIS and the school's International Student Office. Students should consult with their International Student Office to ensure they are complying with all necessary regulations and maintaining their lawful F1 status.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the US on an F1 visa are allowed to work but only under certain conditions. F1 students can work on-campus without requiring USCIS approval, although on-campus employment opportunities are limited. They can also work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree, but this requires prior authorization from USCIS and the school's International Student Office.
Students must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized, and they need a signed cooperative agreement or letter from the employer. CPT can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time, and students can have more than one CPT authorization at the same time. However, students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are not eligible for OPT.
To apply for CPT, students must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization and then work with the DSO to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with USCIS. The DSO must enter their recommendation into SEVIS and provide the student with a Form I-20, which certifies their F-1 status. The student then needs to file a Form I-765 with USCIS and pay a filing fee. USCIS will send the EAD upon approving the petition.
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Severe economic hardship
International students in the United States on 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 Services (USCIS).
On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by the USCIS regulations, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, although F1 status includes an on-campus employment privilege, on-campus employment opportunities at most schools are limited. Even if you can obtain a job on campus, you may not rely on it to prove financial resources for the year, and often these jobs are not related to your studies. Many schools do require that you obtain permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment, and may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year.
USCIS will authorize off-campus employment only in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emergent circumstances are world events that affect a specific group of F-1 students and cause them to suffer severe economic hardship, including natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises.
To qualify for off-campus employment, the student must be able to demonstrate why on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet the student’s financial needs, which arise from unexpected circumstances. Severe economic hardship 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 in the United States. These circumstances may include the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
To apply for off-campus employment authorization due to severe economic hardship, students must submit the following documents to USCIS:
- A completed and signed Severe Economic Hardship Request Form
- A personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, attach backup documentation; for example, news articles, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances, or proof of a currency devaluation in your country, etc.
- Completed Form I-765, using the code (C)(3)(iii) at item 16
- Copy of your F-1 visa page (except Canadians) or I-797 (approval of change of status to F-1), if applicable
- Two full-face passport-style photos. The photos must be identical and in color with a plain background. They must be no more than 30 days old when the I-765 is filed.
- The personal statement along with any other supporting documents, if available
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Approved international organizations
International students in the US on an F-1 visa may seek employment with a "recognized international organization". These organizations are listed by the State Department and include the Red Cross, African and Asian Development Banks, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization, among others.
To be eligible for this type of employment, you must have a job offer and sponsorship from one of the listed organizations. The employment must be within the scope of the organization's sponsorship and within your field of study. Additionally, you must be in good academic standing and have held a valid F-1 status for at least one academic year.
The process for obtaining approval to work for an approved international organization involves the following steps:
- Obtain an internship offer with an international organization.
- Work with your school's Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- The DSO must certify your eligibility and enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- The DSO then prints and signs the supporting Form I-20, which certifies your status as an F-1 student, and provides it to you.
- You may not begin employment before the start date on your EAD and must adhere to any other conditions specified.
It is important to note that this type of employment does not have to be for credit nor required for your degree program. Additionally, it will not be deducted from your 12-month period of Optional Practical Training (OPT). The employment may constitute up to 20 hours per week when school is in session or may be full-time during periods of recess.
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