Douglas Olsen
International students often consider working part-time to support themselves financially during their studies. In the United States, international students on F-1 visas can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during holidays and vacation periods. Off-campus work is generally restricted to instances of severe economic hardship, and even then, prior authorization is required. Students must also ensure they have a Social Security Number (SSN) to work legally in the US. To obtain an SSN, students need a job offer and relevant documents, including a passport, visa, and eligibility confirmation. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are other avenues for international students to gain work experience, with specific rules and eligibility criteria. The US government strictly enforces regulations regarding working illegally, emphasizing the importance of maintaining lawful F-1 status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 or M-1 |
| Work hours on-campus | 20 hours per week during classes, 40 hours per week when classes are not in session |
| Work hours off-campus | Not allowed for commuter students; otherwise, limited to practical training integral to the curriculum (CPT) |
| OPT | Allowed for up to 12 months full-time; can be extended for STEM fields |
| CPT | May be paid or unpaid; includes internships, cooperative education, practicums, or other experiences related to the field of study |
| OPT EAD | Requires Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS |
| OPT eligibility | Must be enrolled for at least 9 months and have active F-1 status |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work on-campus without requiring USCIS approval. However, students must be in legal F-1 status, which means they must be enrolled and attending classes full-time with satisfactory academic progress.
Students participating in on-campus employment may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session. While on-campus employment is the most freely available category of work for F-1 students, opportunities are limited at most schools. Students should not rely on on-campus employment to prove their financial resources for the year, and often these jobs are not related to their studies. Many schools require that students obtain permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment, and some schools may not permit such employment in a student's first semester or year.
In addition to on-campus employment, F-1 students may also be eligible for off-campus employment in certain circumstances. Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the DSO and USCIS prior to starting work. Off-campus employment is generally only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study and who are facing economic hardship. To apply for off-campus employment, students must explain their economic hardship situation and receive approval from their DSO, who will provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status." Students must then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS and pay an application fee. If approved, USCIS will send a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), with the dates that the student may work off-campus.
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$8.99
Off-campus employment eligibility
International students in the United States must follow strict visa regulations to be eligible to work off-campus. Students with an F-1 visa can work off-campus with specific authorizations, such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT allows students to gain practical experience through internships, placements, or other employment that is related to their major field of study. OPT is a type of temporary work authorization related to the student's field of study, allowing them to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To obtain CPT or OPT authorization, students must have completed at least one academic year and have active F-1 status.
It is important to note that off-campus work permission for international students is quite limited, and the process of obtaining work authorization can be lengthy. Students must always obtain valid employment authorization before starting any off-campus employment. International students can work on campus without authorization, but for off-campus employment, they must receive work authorization from their Designated School Official (DSO). Students found working off-campus without authorization risk losing their F-1 student status and having their visa revoked.
To be eligible for CPT, students must ensure that the employment is directly related to their major field of study. CPT can include paid or unpaid internships, cooperative education jobs, practica, or other experiences that are an integral part of the student's academic program. For OPT, students can apply for pre-completion or post-completion authorization. Post-completion OPT allows students to accumulate a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while seeking employment.
In cases of severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances, international students may qualify for off-campus work permission. This benefit is intended for situations where financial needs beyond the student's control arise, and all other potential employment opportunities have proven insufficient. Applicants for this authorization must pay a fee, and the process can take several months.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa may be able to work through Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum. This includes 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 before the completion of a 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 can be authorized on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. Full-time CPT is defined as employment for more than 20 hours per week, and 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). During the fall and winter terms, students must be enrolled full-time or have approved Reduced Course Load (RCL). During their final term of study, students must be enrolled at their university and physically present on campus. For optional CPT in the final term, students cannot only be enrolled in the designated CPT course; they must also enrol in a separate in-person course.
To apply for CPT, students must first obtain an internship offer, then work with their Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for an Employment Authorization Document with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students must submit a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", along with a fee. USCIS will send an EAD upon approving the petition. CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are permitted to work in several categories of employment during their stay. One such category is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.
To be eligible for OPT, students must be enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at a college or university certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least nine months, but they cannot begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and have been enrolled for at least a year. It is important to note that students do not need a job offer to apply for OPT, and their employment can be anywhere in the US.
There are two types of OPT: pre-completion and post-completion. Pre-completion OPT is when a student applies to participate in OPT before completing their academic studies, and post-completion OPT is when a student applies to participate in OPT after completing their studies. The total OPT period is 12 months, and any time spent on pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT. Students can work full-time or part-time during their OPT period, but the total amount of OPT time remains the same. For example, if a student works part-time for six months, they can only work full-time for up to six months.
Students who have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT if they meet certain requirements, including being employed by an employer enrolled in the E-Verify program. Additionally, students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT.
It is important to note that any changes in the student's educational level or transfer to another school will result in the automatic termination of their OPT employment authorization. Therefore, students must carefully consider their plans and work closely with their school's International Student Office to maintain their F-1 status and ensure they comply with all requirements.
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Social Security Number application
International students in the United States may be eligible to work, depending on their visa status and the policies of their school. For instance, F-1 and M-1 visa holders can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time when school is out of session. After their first academic year, F-1 students can undertake Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is training related to their major. CPT can be full-time with no hourly limit and may be available from day one of a student's program for graduate students. However, working full-time for a year under CPT makes students ineligible for OPT. F-1 students can also apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work for a maximum of 12 months, with a possible 24-month extension for STEM majors.
To work in the US, international students must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit SSNs to eligible nonimmigrant workers in the US, using them to report wages, track benefits, and for identification. F and M students granted employment authorization by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) need an SSN. Students can apply for an SSN online and then visit a local SSA office with their original documents, including proof of age, identity, and work-authorized immigration status. The SSA uses the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify nonimmigrant student status and determine eligibility for an SSN. Students can use the SAVE Case Check to track their verification online. Students ineligible for an SSN but receiving non-wage income in the US, such as from scholarships or grants, must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
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Frequently asked questions
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 school year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. Off-campus work is restricted and only allowed in the form of Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which must be applied for through your university's Designated School Officials (DSOs).
CPT is an off-campus employment option for F1 students that is an integral part of their curriculum or academic program. CPT employment can include internships, cooperative education, practicums, or other experiences related to the student's field of study. CPT may be paid or unpaid.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after graduation. Students must apply for OPT and receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before beginning employment.
