Savanna Hoffman
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work in the United States, both during and after their studies. The US system of education encourages practical experience as part of degree studies, and there are several ways international students can gain this experience. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. Students with F-1 status who earn an associate degree can also be authorized for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in a vocation related to their field of study. Additionally, international students can work on-campus, as long as the work directly provides services for students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work opportunities for international students with an associate degree in the US | International students with an associate degree can work in the US through Optional Practical Training (OPT) for 12 months |
| International students with an F-1 visa can work on campus as long as they maintain their status and follow the guidelines for on-campus employment | |
| International students with an F-1 visa can also work off-campus in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | |
| International students with an M-1 or J-1 visa can also work in the US, according to one source | |
| Advantages of an associate degree for international students | Associate degrees are cheaper, more flexible, and provide an extra year of OPT compared to four-year schools |
| Associate degrees are also specialized, giving students expertise in a particular area and an edge when applying for jobs | |
| Two-year schools often offer ESL programs and additional support for international students transitioning to life in the US | |
| The admissions process for four-year schools can be difficult for international students due to competition, cost, foreign transcripts, test scores, and language barriers |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment rules for F-1 students
International students with an F-1 visa can work on-campus, provided they meet certain criteria and conditions. Firstly, the student must be enrolled in an academic program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (SEVP-certified). The student must also be enrolled full-time and be proficient in English or enrolled in courses to achieve proficiency. Additionally, they must demonstrate the ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus.
On-campus employment includes work located on the school campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school's established curriculum or part of contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level. The work must directly provide services for students, such as in a bookstore or cafeteria. Students must also apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) before starting work and have a written job offer from an on-campus employer to qualify for an SSN verification letter. They can begin working before receiving their SSN if they have proof of application.
F-1 students may begin working up to 30 days before the start of their program and can continue working on-campus if they start another program at the same campus in the next term. They must inform the Designated School Official (DSO) before beginning work and maintain their F-1 status by not working beyond the allowed hours. Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantship positions are limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session.
F-1 students can also seek off-campus employment in certain situations, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or due to severe economic hardship. CPT and OPT require authorization, and students must meet specific criteria for eligibility. Students facing economic hardship must first attempt to find on-campus employment and provide evidence of their circumstances.
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Off-campus employment rules for F-1 students
F-1 students are generally expected not to work off-campus and should be able to afford their school and living expenses before entering the United States. However, off-campus employment may be authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, or international financial crises.
To qualify for off-campus employment, F-1 students must have been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year and demonstrate why on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. A designated school official (DSO) must verify that the student qualifies for off-campus employment by entering the employment information in SEVIS. Off-campus employment recommendations cannot exceed one year unless there are special circumstances, such as Special Student Relief (SSR) due to emergent circumstances.
F-1 students may begin working on campus up to 30 days before the start of their program of study, and they can continue working on campus if they finish one program and start another at the same campus, as long as they plan to enroll for the next term. On-campus employment must be for the school or a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly, such as a school bookstore or cafeteria. The job must provide services directly to students.
F-1 students must keep the DSO informed of any changes in employer and hours and obtain certification letters from the DSO and the employer to present to the local Social Security Administration office to obtain a Social Security number.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
During the academic year, students must maintain full-time enrollment, which is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 8 credit hours for graduate students. This requirement means that most students have to limit their CPT participation during the academic year to local jobs or working for their employer remotely, usually on a part-time basis. CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States.
Students seeking CPT must take the CPT Certification Course and save their certificate as a PDF. They must then discuss their CPT plans in detail with their Academic or Faculty Advisor and show them the Detailed Training Description. If the advisor believes the training is integral to the curriculum, they may recommend CPT by completing the Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. The student must then gather all the required documents and submit them through the M-Passport portal. An International Student and Scholar Advisor will review the CPT application.
DSOs must authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, following school policies. Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. CPT authorization information can be viewed in four locations in the student's record: the Student Lists page, Employment Information page, Current Requests/Authorization Details page, and Event History page.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students at the Taylor Business Institute who are pursuing an associate's degree can benefit from an extra year of Optional Practical Training (OPT) compared to students at a four-year school. This allows them to gain valuable workplace skills and transferrable credits for senior-level colleges and universities.
Eligibility for OPT:
To be eligible for OPT, students must be lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year and must not have been authorized for 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion).
OPT STEM Extension:
Students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, students must meet certain requirements, including being employed by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program and having received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorization based on their STEM degree.
OPT Application Process:
The OPT application process involves several steps and key dates that must be considered. Students must file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," within a specific timeframe, accompanied by the required fee and supporting documentation. Students must also ensure that their DSO recommends OPT and endorses their Form I-20, "Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."
OPT Employment:
During the OPT period, students may change jobs, and their employment must be a minimum of 20 hours per week, paid or unpaid. Volunteering and unpaid internships can be considered employment for the initial 12-month period of F-1 post-completion OPT, as long as they comply with applicable federal and state labor laws.
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Associate degree specialisations
An associate degree is an undergraduate degree that falls between a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree. It is typically obtained in two years, although it can take longer for part-time students. Associate degrees are most commonly offered in the US, but they are also available in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Netherlands.
There are four main types of associate degrees:
- AA (Associate of Arts): These programs are often focused on business, humanities, arts, or social sciences. They are typically used as a stepping stone to transfer to a bachelor's degree.
- AS (Associate of Science): These programs are related to the fields of science or mathematics. Like the AA, the AS is recommended for students who want to transfer to four-year programs.
- AAA (Associate of Applied Arts): These programs focus on applied arts and may prepare students for specific careers or further study in the field.
- AAS (Associate of Applied Science): These programs focus on technical and vocational skills, preparing students for specific occupations or fields after graduation.
In addition to the above specialisations, associate degrees can also be found in other fields such as engineering, medicine, criminal justice, and liberal arts.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students with F-1 visas can work in the US for up to 12 months through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Students can also take up internships, practicums, and co-ops during their studies through Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
CPT is authorized when work is required by the program or is a formal part of the degree program. The work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded.
On-campus employment options include work at school-affiliated commercial businesses like bookstores or cafeterias, as long as the work provides services for students. Off-campus employment options include contractually affiliated companies, such as a school bookstore, or educationally affiliated organizations.
