Savanna Hoffman
International students in the United States typically hold an F1 visa, which allows them to work in the country under specific conditions and regulations set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While F1 students can work on-campus without prior USCIS approval, off-campus employment is generally permitted only in cases of economic hardship or special circumstances. To work off-campus, F1 students must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain work experience related to their field of study. Understanding the complex visa regulations is crucial for international students seeking employment opportunities in the United States.
Characteristics of international students needing work permits
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia | Students need a visa with work permission to work in Australia. They can work up to 20 hours a week and unlimited hours during holidays. |
| United States | Students need a student visa (F or M visa) and permission from DHS to work. F-1 students cannot work off-campus during the first year but can accept on-campus employment. |
| United Kingdom | The UK has a points-based immigration system for international students wanting to work. Visas depend on skills, experience, age, salary, and demand. |
| Germany | International students can obtain a student residence permit, allowing them to work 20 hours per week during the semester and 40 hours during breaks. |
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What You'll Learn
International students in the US
There are also opportunities for F-1 students to gain off-campus employment through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which connects students with US organizations where they can gain hands-on experience in their major field of study. 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 USCIS. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and does not require a job offer, although it must be directly related to the student's area of study.
Another option for international students seeking employment in the US is to obtain a green card, which permits individuals to work anywhere in the country and live indefinitely. However, green cards are in high demand and may take many years to obtain. F-1 students can also seek employer sponsorship for an EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card or apply for asylum if returning to their home country poses a danger to their well-being. It is important for international students to proactively maintain their visa status and seek guidance from their International Student Office to ensure they remain in compliance with USCIS regulations.
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International students in Canada
From November 2024, international students can work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week without a work permit, provided they meet other eligibility requirements. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and having completed all prerequisite courses. Students must also ensure they do not exceed 24 hours of work, including any time spent earning wages or on-call, as this would violate their study permit conditions and may result in losing their student status.
International students enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) programs are not eligible for a work permit under the Co-op Work Permit Program. However, students with work placements in their program can apply for a free co-op work permit, which allows them to work for pay or as an unpaid intern. To be eligible, students must have a valid study permit, and their employment must be deemed essential to their academic, professional, or vocational training program.
Upon graduating, international students may be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, allowing them to gain valuable work experience in Canada for up to three years.
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On-campus employment
International students in the United States, holding an F1 visa, are allowed to work but only under certain conditions. The F1 visa is the most common non-immigrant student visa in the US.
There are a few important restrictions to note. Firstly, on-campus employment must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. Secondly, students must report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to obtain a Social Security number.
While on-campus employment is the most accessible option, opportunities at most schools are limited. Therefore, international students may also consider off-campus employment options, such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). However, these options typically require at least one completed academic year and are only available in cases of economic hardship or special circumstances.
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Off-campus employment
International students in the United States typically hold an F1 visa, a non-immigrant student visa. F1 students are allowed to work in the US, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F1 visa holders, but there are four categories of off-campus employment available:
F1 students can be eligible for off-campus work under the sponsorship of an international organization. To qualify, the organization must be on the official State Department list, and include organizations like the Red Cross, African and Asian Development Banks, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization. To apply, students must submit a written certification from the organization, a Form I-20 ID endorsed for employment, and a completed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the required fee.
F1 students may be granted off-campus employment authorization in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year. To qualify, students must show that their funding has been greatly reduced due to circumstances beyond their control, such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, substantial changes in exchange rates, or unexpected changes in the financial state of their source of support.
USCIS will authorize off-campus employment for F1 students in cases of emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises, which cause severe economic hardship for a specific group of F-1 students.
F1 students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible to work off-campus on a case-by-case basis.
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Work permits and visas
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories: F and M visas. The F-1 visa is the most common non-immigrant student visa. F-1 visa holders are allowed to work in the United States, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F-1 visa holders. F-1 students automatically have permission to work on campus (unless they are border commuters) but still need to work with a DSO to ensure the job qualifies as on-campus employment. F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but after the first academic year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Severe economic hardship
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension
For off-campus employment, F-1 students must show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States and should not plan to work off-campus. USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
To work off-campus, F-1 students must obtain an internship offer and then work with the DSO and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with USCIS. The DSO must certify the student's eligibility and enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The DSO should then print and sign the supporting Form I-20 and give it to the student. The student can then check online at the USCIS website using the application receipt number.
After graduation, F-1 students can apply for a post-completion OPT extension to stay in the US legally. OPT work must be full-time (40 hours/week) and must be completed within 14 months after completion of a degree. Applications for post-completion OPT must be received by USCIS before the completion of the degree.
There are also other temporary work visas that international students can consider, including H, L, O, and E visas, which allow individuals to work in the US temporarily.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US need to obtain F1 immigration status to be allowed to work off-campus.
International students can work on-campus without having to apply for work authorisation. Off-campus work must be related to their area of study and must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
Students are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit. However, they must meet other requirements for working while studying.
International students can work off-campus if they are a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI).
