Douglas Olsen
International students in the United States can work on campus in libraries, labs, food service, and residence halls. Students with an F-1 visa and valid status can 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 employment is only allowed under specific circumstances, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT provides paid or unpaid internships, cooperative education jobs, or other experiences related to the student's field of study. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To work off-campus, international students must obtain official authorization and meet eligibility requirements, such as having a Social Security Number and maintaining their F-1 status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Work eligibility | F-1 students may accept on-campus employment in the first academic year and off-campus employment after the first academic year |
| On-campus work hours | Up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks |
| Off-campus work hours | Up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks for students suffering "severe economic hardship" |
| Social Security Number | Required for employment |
| CPT eligibility | Must be enrolled for at least 9 months and receive CPT authorization |
| OPT eligibility | Must be enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus work for international students
International students in the United States can work on-campus, but there are several conditions and restrictions that they must navigate. Students with an F-1 visa—the most common non-immigrant student visa—are allowed to work on-campus, but they must be in valid F-1 status, which means being enrolled and attending classes full-time, and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
On-campus employment is the most freely available type of work for international students, and it does not require approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). However, on-campus job opportunities are often limited, and international students should research how student employment works at their specific college or university. Students can find on-campus jobs in cafeterias, bookstores, science labs, dining halls, libraries, athletic facilities, campus offices, and departments. They can also work as paid research assistants, academic tutors, or take on paid student leadership roles. Some on-campus jobs, like residential assistant positions, can provide benefits like free housing.
International students with an F-1 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks and summer vacation. To work on-campus, students will need a Social Security Number, which they can apply for after receiving a job offer. It's important to note that working off-campus without authorization can result in losing F-1 status and visa revocation.
In addition to on-campus employment, F-1 students can also engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a type of employment that trains students in their field of study and can include internships, cooperative education jobs, or other experiences related to their major. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. While CPT is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year, OPT does not have a limit on weekly hours. However, students who engage in full-time CPT for 12 months or more will lose their OPT benefit upon graduation.
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Off-campus work for international students
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are subject to strict rules regarding their ability to work. Generally, F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions.
After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This is employment that trains you in your field of study and for which you fulfil academic credit or part of your degree requirement. CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to your field of study. Students interested in CPT must obtain authorization from their school's International Student Office and ensure that their job offer qualifies. CPT can be either part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time, but full-time CPT for 12 months or more will make the student ineligible for OPT.
- Severe Economic Hardship: In cases of severe economic hardship, defined by USCIS, F-1 students may be eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is a form of work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after graduation. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 status. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but they cannot begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US, and students can work full-time during the summer and other breaks as long as they return to school afterward.
It is important to note that F-1 students must maintain their status and follow all regulations regarding employment. Working illegally can result in the loss of F-1 status and the revocation of the visa. Additionally, a Social Security Number is required for both on-campus and off-campus employment in the United States.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States. For example, a summer internship in a student's home country does not need CPT authorization. CPT authorization will specify whether a student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week) CPT employment. While in school, students can only be approved for part-time CPT. CPT authorization will also specify the dates and employer for which the student is approved to work. Unlike with OPT or severe economic hardship off-campus employment, students approved for CPT can only work for the specific employer and for the specific dates authorized. There is no limit to how long a student can work with CPT authorization, but if a student works full-time for 12 months or more, they become ineligible for OPT.
To apply for CPT, students must take the CPT Certification Course and save their certificate as a PDF. They must then meet with their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans and show their advisor the Detailed Training Description. If the advisor believes the training is integral to the curriculum, they may recommend the student for CPT by completing the Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. The advisor may also help the student enroll in a Registrar-designated CPT course (if applicable). Students must then gather all the required documents and submit their application through the M-Passport portal. An International Student and Scholar Advisor will review the CPT application.
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Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
International students in the United States can work on-campus in libraries, labs, food service, and residence halls. They can also work as paid research assistants, academic tutors, or take on student leadership roles. International students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during academic breaks.
To work off-campus, international students must have an F-1 Visa and must have completed their first academic year. They may then engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and severe economic hardship off-campus employment. CPT allows students to gain hands-on training and experience in their chosen field. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time, and students can work anywhere in the US. To be eligible for OPT, students must be enrolled for at least 9 months and must receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a work permit that allows nonimmigrant visa holders to work temporarily in the United States. To request an EAD, individuals must generally file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Certain aliens in the United States may file this form to request an EAD if they are authorized to work due to their immigration status or circumstances (e.g. asylee, refugee, or U nonimmigrant). Others may need to file Form I-765 to request permission to work if they have a pending Form I-485 or Form I-589, or if they have a nonimmigrant status that does not allow them to work without permission from USCIS (such as F-1 or M-1 students).
There are specific instructions for current DACA recipients who need to replace a valid EAD because it was lost, stolen, or damaged. They must file Form I-765 and select box 1.b, submitting evidence of their DACA status along with the filing fee. U nonimmigrant petitioners are authorized to work based on their status, so they will not need to file Form I-765. However, derivative family members residing in the United States will need to file Form I-765.
If an individual's EAD is expiring or has expired, they should file for a renewal EAD by submitting a new Form I-765 and filing fee, if required. It is recommended to file the renewal application as soon as possible once the EAD is within 180 days of its expiration date. If an EAD is lost, stolen, or destroyed, a replacement can be requested by filing a new Form I-765 and paying the fee, if applicable.
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F-1 Visa requirements
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will need a student visa. The F-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
To obtain an F-1 visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program.
- Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- You must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
- You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
- You must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study.
- You must maintain a residence abroad that you have no intention of giving up.
- You must prove your ability to pay all educational, living, and travel costs.
- You must provide evidence of your intent to depart the United States upon completion of your course of study.
During the interview portion of the F-1 visa application process, the US consulate or embassy will confirm that you are coming to study as a legitimate, serious student. You must also prove that you have the funds to cover your time studying in the US and confirm that you plan on returning home after your studies are complete. Attending your visa interview in person is required, though there are a few exceptions, such as if you are younger than 14 or older than 80.
After successfully completing your visa interview, you will be granted your F-1 visa and can study in the USA.
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Frequently asked questions
International students with an F-1 visa cannot work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment: severe economic hardship, emergent circumstances, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension.
OPT is a work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least nine months, but they must receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and have been enrolled for at least a year to begin employment.
International students with an F-1 visa can generally work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks. On-campus jobs can include working in libraries, labs, food services, residence halls, campus offices, and more.
To work in the US, international students need a Social Security Number (SSN). They must also have an offer of employment before they can apply for a Social Security card. Additionally, students with an F-1 visa must maintain valid status by being enrolled full-time and making satisfactory academic progress.
