Savanna Hoffman
International students in the United States on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another option for F1 students, which is a type of temporary off-campus employment authorization that allows students to gain hands-on experience directly related to their major while still enrolled in their academic program. CPT is only available when it is part of an established curriculum within a school. Students on an M-1 visa are not permitted to work during their studies but may engage in practical training after completion of their program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1, M-1, J-1 |
| Visa holder status | Full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution |
| Work type | On-campus, off-campus, part-time, full-time, internships, cooperative education, practicum |
| Work hours | On-campus: 20 hours per week; Full-time: 40 hours per week |
| Work eligibility | Must be enrolled in an academic program, a language-training program, or a vocational program; Must be proficient in English; Must maintain a residence abroad; Must have sufficient funds for self-support |
| Training opportunities | Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT extension |
| Training eligibility | Must be enrolled full-time for one year; Must have DSO approval; Must be directly related to the program of study |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa students and on-campus employment
International students on an F-1 visa can secure on-campus employment in the US. However, they must adhere to specific rules and regulations. During the first academic year in the US, F-1 visa students are only eligible for on-campus employment. On-campus employment is 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, library, dorm, or cafeteria.
F-1 visa students can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time (40 hours a week) during holidays and vacation periods, such as summer/winter vacation and Thanksgiving vacation. However, the weekly total can be no more than 20 hours, even if the student is working in multiple on-campus jobs. To apply for on-campus employment, students must talk to their Designated School Official (DSO) and obtain a letter of approval. With this letter and a letter of approval from their employer, students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), which is required for all students who wish to work.
While on-campus employment is the most easily available option for F-1 visa students, opportunities may be limited, and the income may not be sufficient to cover all expenses. Additionally, F-1 visa students must maintain valid F-1 status, and they may not displace a US student by taking a job that would otherwise be available to them. Before coming to the US, F-1 visa students must prove they have the financial ability to pay for tuition and living expenses, as on-campus employment opportunities may be scarce.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the US with an F1 visa are generally allowed to work on their campus for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during school breaks. However, there are certain training opportunities that international students can pursue without changing their nonimmigrant status. One such opportunity is Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
CPT is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum. It can take the form of alternate work/study, internships, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT is only available to F-1 students when it is part of an established curriculum within a school and must be integral to the program of study. CPT is only available prior to the completion of the degree program, and students must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program.
Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States. To qualify for CPT, students must be an F-1 student and have completed one full academic year of study at an SEVP-certified school, unless they are a graduate student whose program requires immediate CPT. Students who complete one year or more of full-time CPT are ineligible to participate in post-completion OPT.
To get permission for CPT, a Designated School Official (DSO) needs to authorize it in SEVIS and provide an updated Form I-20 indicating authorization for the training opportunity. DSOs must authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. Students with CPT must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) during the fall and winter terms. CPT is a good option for students who want to gain on-the-job learning that supplements knowledge gained in their academic studies.
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Off-campus employment
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of their established curriculum or academic program. CPT employment includes internships, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through agreements with the school. To qualify, the work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT may be paid or unpaid, and prior authorization from the school's International Student Office is required.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another option for F-1 students to work off-campus during and after the completion of their degree. OPT employment requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the school's International Student Office. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least nine months, but employment can only begin after receiving the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and completing at least one academic year. OPT provides flexibility, as students can work anywhere in the US and are not limited to a specific employer or dates.
Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available to F-1 students who have completed at least one academic year and can demonstrate severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. USCIS reviews these cases individually and authorizes off-campus employment when on-campus employment opportunities are insufficient or unavailable.
In Canada, international students can work off-campus without a work permit if they are full-time students at a designated learning institution and meet specific requirements. They must be in their last semester, not require a full course load to complete their program, and have been a full-time student up until their last semester. Students must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria for off-campus employment outlined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are generally allowed to work on the campus of their university for up to 20 hours per week and full-time during school breaks. However, there are other opportunities for international students to gain on-the-job learning that supplements their academic studies. One such opportunity is Optional Practical Training (OPT).
To apply for OPT, F-1 students must request approval from their Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO makes this recommendation in SEVIS and by endorsing the student's Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." The student must then file the Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and supporting documents with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If approved, USCIS will issue a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document." Students cannot begin their training until they receive this authorization.
It is important to note that if an F-1 student transfers to another school or begins studies at another educational level, their authorization to engage in OPT employment will automatically terminate. Additionally, students who complete one year or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are ineligible to participate in post-completion OPT. CPT is an alternative work/study, internship, or other type of required practicum that is part of the established curriculum within a school.
If an F-1 student has earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, they may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. This is known as the STEM OPT extension.
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M-1 visa students and practical training
International students who wish to study in the United States full-time will require a student visa. There are two types of nonimmigrant visas available: the F-1 visa and the M-1 visa. The F-1 visa is for students enrolled in an academic program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. The M-1 visa is for students enrolled in vocational or other nonacademic programs, excluding language training.
M-1 visa students are eligible for practical training, but only after they have completed their studies. The practical training must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) prior to starting any work. The DSO recommends practical training, but it is the student's responsibility to apply for a work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) using Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). If approved, the USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which the student must have before starting work.
M-1 students may be eligible for up to one month of post-completion practical training for every four months of full-time study, up to a maximum of six months of practical training. Any practical training requests must comply with federal regulations, and requests that remain in "Requested" status for longer than 180 days are automatically canceled.
To apply for practical training, M-1 students must submit Form I-765 with USCIS and include any relevant information, such as whether they are filing a Form I-539 for the OPT period or not. The timing of the application is crucial, as M-1 students should be mindful of the program's end date and any applicable processing times. Additionally, the student's school must issue a Form I-20, which is required for the visa application.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students in the US can take job training courses, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a type of temporary off-campus employment authorization, while OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to a year.
To be eligible for CPT, students must be enrolled full-time for one academic year, except for graduate programs that require immediate CPT. CPT employment must be an integral part of the curriculum or a requirement for a course for which academic credit is received.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. OPT can be applied for during or after completion of the degree, but students cannot begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.
International students with F1 visas are generally allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during school breaks. Off-campus employment is more restricted and often requires prior authorization. M-1 visa holders are not permitted to work during their studies but can work full-time in practical training roles related to their vocation after completion.
