Lana Oconnell
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are allowed to work part-time on-campus for up to 20 hours per week, and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus employment is not permitted during the first academic year, except in the case of Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which must be directly related to the student's major or field of study. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment in three types of situations: severe economic hardship, emergent circumstances, or Optional Practical Training (OPT). M-1 visa students must have employment related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Student status | Enrolled full-time in an accredited academic institution |
| Employment type | On-campus or off-campus |
| On-campus work hours | Up to 20 hours per week during classes, up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session |
| Off-campus work permission | Must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS |
| Off-campus work eligibility | F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment after the first academic year, in cases of severe economic hardship, or in emergent circumstances as defined by DHS |
| Social Security Number (SSN) requirement | Required for both on-campus and off-campus employment |
| CPT (Curricular Practical Training) | Paid or unpaid internships or jobs related to the student's field of study, authorized by the International Student Office |
| OPT (Optional Practical Training) | Work authorization for up to one year in areas related to the student's major, either before or after graduation |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US with an F1 visa are permitted to work on campus, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Students with an F1 visa are also allowed to work off-campus under specific circumstances, but this is more restricted.
To be eligible for on-campus employment, students must be enrolled full-time and have valid F1 status. They may work up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. An F1 student may begin working up to 30 days before the start of their program of study, and they should inform the Designated School Official (DSO) before they begin. The student's total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term.
If an F1 student finishes one program and starts another at the same campus, they may continue their on-campus employment as long as they plan to enroll for the next term. They must keep the DSO informed of any changes in employer and hours.
It is important to note that on-campus employment opportunities are limited at most schools, and students cannot rely on them to prove financial resources for the year. Students must demonstrate their financial ability to pay for tuition and living expenses before entering the US, and they should not plan to work off-campus.
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Off-campus employment
International students in the US with an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status both during and after the completion of their degree. However, this is subject to several conditions and restrictions. Firstly, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year (9 months) and have maintained valid F1 status. Secondly, all OPT employment requires prior authorisation from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the school's International Student Office. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for 9 months, but they cannot begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) from USCIS and have been enrolled for at least a year.
There are three types of off-campus employment available to F-1 students after their first academic year:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): This allows international students to work temporarily for up to 12 months either before or after graduation, in an area related to their major. Students can accumulate a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while seeking employment.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT Extension: F-1 students may be eligible for off-campus work on a case-by-case basis due to special situations, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is training that is a required part of your degree, such as an internship or cooperative education job. CPT can be paid or unpaid and must be related to your field of study. CPT authorisations specify whether you are approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment.
It is important to note that working off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorisation can result in losing F1 student status and having your visa revoked. Students must also have a Social Security Number (SSN) to work off-campus.
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F-1 student visa requirements
International students with an F-1 visa are allowed to enter the United States as full-time students at accredited academic institutions or language training programs. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, several requirements must be met, both before and after applying.
Firstly, the college or university must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The educational institution must be authorised by the US government to accept foreign students.
Secondly, the student must be enrolled as a full-time student for the duration of their academic term. They must also be proficient in English, or enrolled in courses to improve their English language proficiency.
Thirdly, the applicant must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover their studies and living expenses for the duration of their course. They must also maintain a residence in their home country that they have no intention of giving up.
Other requirements include having a valid passport, accepted by the US for travel, for at least six months after the completion of the course. The student must also pay the SEVIS fee and complete the DS-160 visa application form.
After receiving acceptance from a SEVP-certified institution, the applicant will receive an I-20 form, which is required for the F-1 visa application. The final step is to schedule and attend a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate.
F-1 visa holders are eligible to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus employment is not permitted during the first academic year. After the first year, students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Any off-campus employment must be related to the student's major and authorised by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
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CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
International students enrolled full-time and in valid F-1 status can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. However, the United States has strict rules for international students who want to work off-campus during their studies.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is meant to be academic, with the internship/practicum considered an integral part of a student's degree program. Students must be enrolled full-time for the semester they wish to pursue CPT, except during their final semester. CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study.
To be eligible for CPT, students must have properly maintained F-1 status each semester. Students who were granted CPT but subsequently drop below the full course load will need to stop working immediately and notify the Office of International Services (OIS) of this change. Students must also successfully complete all internship courses to be eligible for current and future CPT authorizations. CPT does not interfere with students' eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation unless they have completed 12 months of full-time CPT during their degree. In this case, they would lose the option to do OPT.
Students interested in CPT must make an appointment with their International Student Services Office to determine their eligibility and authorize their CPT. The student must then secure an internship offer and enroll in a full course load or indicate that they are in their final semester on the CPT request. The student must also register for an internship course, if applicable, and complete the CPT I-20 Request Form, attaching an internship offer letter for review by their Academic Advisor/Internship Coordinator.
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OPT (Optional Practical Training)
International students enrolled full-time and in valid F-1 status can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. The United States has strict rules for international students who want to work during their studies. Students in valid F-1 status cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a period during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status who have completed or have been pursuing their degrees for one academic year are permitted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work for one year on a student visa to gain practical training that complements their education. OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.
Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). All OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major area of study. For post-completion OPT, students can apply up to 90 days before graduation, but it is recommended that they apply at least 45 days before graduation to ensure timely processing.
Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT. If a student works part-time on CPT or full-time CPT for less than 12 months, they are still eligible for all of their allowable OPT. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total – part-time OPT (while still in school) reduces the available full-time OPT by half of the amount of part-time work.
If a student has earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, they may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, the student must be an F-1 student who received a STEM degree included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, be employed by an employer enrolled in and using E-Verify, and received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.
The OPT application process involves many steps and players. Students must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS, accompanied by the required fee and supporting documentation. Students may not begin their pre- or post-completion OPT until after USCIS approves their Form I-765 and they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
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