Lori Meadows
International students in the US on F-1 visas are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus work is generally not permitted, except in cases of economic hardship or in pre-approved internships or practical training related to the student's field of study. In such cases, students must obtain an Employment Authorization Document from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). To work off-campus, international students must also obtain a Social Security Number, which requires a job offer and various supporting documents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 (Academic Student) or M-1 (Vocational Student) |
| Work during the first academic year | F-1 students may accept on-campus employment but may not work off-campus |
| Off-campus work after the first academic year | F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: 1) Curricular Practical Training (CPT), 2) Optional Practical Training (OPT), 3) Severe Economic Hardship Employment |
| M-1 students and off-campus work | Any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS |
| Social Security Number | Required for employment, can be applied for after receiving a job offer |
| On-campus employment conditions | The job must be physically located on the school's campus or off-campus at an educationally affiliated organization, providing services directly to students |
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What You'll Learn
- F-1 Visa students can work on-campus after their first academic year
- Off-campus work for F-1 students must be related to their area of study
- Students on an M-1 Visa can engage in off-campus employment
- Students must have a Social Security Number to work legally
- Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available for eligible F-1 students
F-1 Visa students can work on-campus after their first academic year
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree. However, F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year and can only accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F-1 visa students. This can include work at on-campus commercial businesses, such as a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students. For instance, an F-1 student may work for a contractually affiliated company such as a school bookstore but not for a construction company, even if the job site is on campus. An F-1 student can also work for a food service company contracted by their school, but only at school facilities, not at any off-campus locations.
F-1 visa students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks. They must report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number.
After their first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), off-campus work due to severe economic hardship, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). CPT employment is when practical training is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program, such as a 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. Prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required, and the student must have been enrolled full-time for one year on valid F1 status.
In cases of severe economic hardship, USCIS will authorize off-campus employment for F-1 students after they have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year. Students must provide evidence of economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances and show that on-campus employment is neither available nor sufficient.
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Off-campus work for F-1 students must be related to their area of study
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus, but only after their first academic year. This off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO is the person authorised to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
To be granted work authorisation for off-campus employment, F-1 students must demonstrate that they are experiencing economic hardship or emergent circumstances. Economic hardship is defined as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control, making it difficult for them to continue their education. Emergent circumstances refer to 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.
Students must file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorisation", with the USCIS within 30 days of receiving the recommendation for off-campus employment in their SEVIS records and the updated Form I-20. The DSO must sign the Form I-20, which certifies that the applicant is a bona fide F-1 student. The student must also include a specially endorsed Form I-20, signed on pages 1 and 2 by the DSO, as supporting evidence.
It is important to note that F-1 students are generally expected to show an ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus. On-campus employment is available for F-1 students, and they can continue working on-campus if they start a new program of study at the same campus.
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Students on an M-1 Visa can engage in off-campus employment
International students on an M-1 Visa can engage in off-campus employment, but only after they have completed their studies. This off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) before starting work. The DSO is the person authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
M-1 visas are for international students who want to enroll in vocational studies in the United States, such as cooking classes, technical courses, mechanical classes, flight school, and cosmetology. To qualify for an M-1 visa, students must be accepted at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) institution, have high English proficiency, prove strong ties to their home country, and be able to finance their education and stay in the US.
It is important to note that the M-1 visa is specifically for vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training. In contrast, the F-1 visa is for academic and degree-bearing education, such as a Bachelor's or Master's degree, and allows students to work on practical training outside of campus. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment with certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT); off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship or special student relief; and off-campus employment related to their area of study, with prior authorization from the DSO.
For both F-1 and M-1 students, off-campus employment must be related to their field of study and authorized by the DSO before starting work. On-campus employment for F-1 students can include working for a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly, such as a food service company, but only at on-campus locations.
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Students must have a Social Security Number to work legally
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus without applying for work authorization. However, they must ensure that the work is related to their area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) before starting. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT).
To work off-campus, F-1 students must apply for work authorization by submitting Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", and the associated fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Only aliens who have permission from the DHS to work can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). Thus, students must obtain work authorization before applying for an SSN. New students should wait 2-3 weeks after arriving in the US before applying for an SSN. To apply, students need a campus employment letter from their hiring department and an ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter. They must then complete and submit the social security number application in person at a local Social Security Administration office.
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Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available for eligible F-1 students
International students with an F-1 visa are generally not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment, provided they meet certain conditions. After completing their first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Severe Economic Hardship Employment
- Off-campus employment under the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT) program
- Internships with international organizations
This answer will focus on the first option, Severe Economic Hardship Employment, which is available for eligible F-1 students.
Severe Economic Hardship Employment
F-1 students may be authorized to work off-campus if they experience severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. This could include the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, provided the student is not at fault. To qualify, students must demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. Additionally, they must have completed at least one academic year, be in good academic standing, and show that working will not adversely impact their ability to attend school full-time.
Application Process
To apply for Severe Economic Hardship Employment, F-1 students must submit the following documents:
- Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with the required fee
- Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," endorsed by a Designated School Official (DSO) to confirm the student's eligibility for off-campus employment
- Supporting documentation showing an unforeseen change in financial circumstances, such as a letter from a sponsor discontinuing funding
The application is reviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which makes case-by-case decisions. If approved, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a letter notifying them of the decision. Employment authorization is typically granted in one-year intervals and may be renewed if the student maintains good academic standing.
It is important to note that F-1 students on Severe Economic Hardship Employment are limited to working 20 hours per week during the school session. However, they may work full-time during vacation and summer periods, provided they intend to register for the next school term.
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Frequently asked questions
International students with an F-1 visa are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first academic year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Severe Economic Hardship Employment, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT is paid or unpaid employment that trains you in your field of study and fulfills academic credit or a degree requirement.
This is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can prove a severe economic hardship beyond their control that arose after obtaining F-1 status.
OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 status.
Yes, F-1 students can work on-campus, but the job must be physically located on the school's campus or off-campus at an educationally affiliated organization, such as a school bookstore or food service company contracted by the school.
