Lori Meadows
International students in the US on an F-1 visa have work authorization through CPT and OPT. They may be eligible for off-campus work authorization during their degree program through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students on other visas may also have work authorization. Off-campus employment authorization is generally valid for one year, after which the student must apply for continued employment authorization. Students must also have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F1 status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 (Academic Student) |
| Student status | Full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program |
| Work authorization | Off-campus work authorization is available through CPT and OPT |
| Work authorization duration | CPT: No limit to how long you can work; OPT: valid for one year |
| Work authorization conditions | CPT: must be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program and required for the degree; OPT: must be enrolled for at least 9 months and have completed one academic year |
| Work authorization process | CPT: authorized by ISSS and takes up to 2 weeks to process; OPT: authorized by USCIS and takes 2-5 months to process |
| Visa sponsorship required | No, if taking advantage of OPT; Yes, if CPT authorization expires |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 visa students and off-campus work
International students with an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment, provided they meet certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in four categories of off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. To qualify, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT is authorized by ISSS and takes up to 2 weeks to process.
Pre-completion OPT is authorized by USCIS and can take 2-5 months to process. OPT is a benefit associated with the F-1 status, and employers do not need to sponsor international students in F-1 status when those students are taking advantage of OPT. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US, but students cannot begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and have been enrolled for at least a year.
Students in F-1 status who experience severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control may also be eligible for off-campus work authorization. Emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises, can cause students to suffer severe economic hardship and may qualify them for Special Student Relief.
It is important to note that all employment is contingent on remaining within the terms and restrictions of the F1 visa. While on-campus employment is the most freely available, many schools require permission from the International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment.
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CPT and OPT work authorization
International students on an F-1 visa have work authorization through CPT and OPT. CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training, which is a temporary work authorization for international students on F-1 visas. OPT stands for Optional Practical Training. CPT allows eligible students to work off-campus during their academic program after one year of full-time study. The duration of a CPT internship is determined by the employer and academic program and can be part-time or full-time. CPT is authorized by ISSS and can take up to 2 weeks to process.
OPT is a temporary work authorization that allows F-1 students from accredited colleges or universities to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. OPT can be used before and/or after graduation. Pre-completion OPT is authorized by USCIS and can take 2-5 months to process. OPT approval takes longer than CPT approval, so students should plan accordingly. Students can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level. OPT must relate to the student's major or course of study.
Both OPT and CPT require that the job relates to the student's academic major and that the student completes at least one academic year of school before applying. Students who engage in full-time CPT are ineligible for OPT, but part-time CPT is fine and will not affect OPT eligibility. Students do not require an employer to sponsor their visa/status when authorized for CPT or OPT.
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Visa sponsorship
International students in the US are typically on F-1 visas, which allow them to work off-campus with special authorization. This can be obtained in cases of severe economic hardship or unforeseen circumstances, through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students on CPT or OPT do not require their employer to sponsor their visa. However, they will need employment-based sponsorship to continue working after their CPT or OPT authorization expires.
There are several types of student visas, each with its own specific conditions and requirements. The F-1 student visa is the most common, and it allows international students to travel to the US to study at Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified universities. To obtain an F-1 visa, students must demonstrate that they can afford tuition and living expenses for the duration of their program. This can be done through personal funds, assets, or property that can be converted into cash, or funds from friends, family, or organizations. For students with family members as sponsors, additional documentation is required, including a Form I-134, which states their consent to fund the student's studies and living expenses.
The J-1 visa is another type of student visa, but it has more restrictions on sponsorship. J-1 visa holders can only be sponsored by a nonprofit or educational organization that is not related to them.
It is important to note that the process of applying for a student visa can vary based on the program and the type of sponsorship required. Students should consult with their Designated School Official (DSO) to ensure they comply with all visa rules and regulations and maintain their eligibility. Additionally, networking before applying to jobs can help international students identify which companies are open to hiring them.
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Employment Authorization Document
International students on an F-1 visa have work authorization through CPT and OPT. Students on other visas typically have work authorization as well. Students in F-1 status have options for off-campus work authorization during their degree program: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). F-1 students may be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT upon graduation.
USCIS will authorize off-campus employment only 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). Emergent circumstances include world events that affect a specific group of F-1 students and cause them to suffer severe economic hardship, including natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises.
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by the USCIS to individuals who have been granted permission to work in the United States. Foreign nationals in various immigration statuses may be eligible to apply for employment authorization. F-1 students who are eligible for Practical Training following completion of studies can apply for an EAD. The EAD card contains the dates of authorized employment, a photograph, the individual's name, date of birth, and visa classification. Any limitations placed on the employment will be noted on the card.
To apply for an EAD, individuals must complete Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization." The form and filing fee information are available on the USCIS website. It is recommended to file for renewal as soon as the EAD is within 180 days of its expiration date to prevent gaps in employment authorization. If the EAD is lost, stolen, or destroyed, a replacement can be requested by filing a new Form I-765 and paying the filing fee, unless a fee waiver is requested and approved.
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On-campus employment
International students can generally work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during academic breaks. On-campus employment includes work performed directly for your school and on the school's premises. This might include jobs as a teaching or research assistant, or jobs in the university library, dining facilities, laboratories, and administrative offices. On-campus employment also includes work for on-location commercial firms that provide services for students on campus, and work performed at an off-campus location that is directly affiliated with the school.
International students can begin the on-campus job search using online job portals, university-specific job platforms, career centers, networking, and job fairs. It is recommended that students start their job search early, as many students are interested in finding on-campus positions, and these positions tend to be more open at the beginning of the year. Students should also remember to tailor their job applications to each position.
As an international student with on-campus employment, you can work full-time during holidays and vacations, but only if you intend to return to school the next academic semester. Your employment must not displace a US resident, and the job does not have to be related to your field of study. You may not engage in on-campus employment after you have completed your degree program.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. They may also be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if it is an integral part of their curriculum.
F-1 students do not need visa sponsorship when they are taking advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit associated with the F-1 status.
CPT is authorized by ISSS and can take up to 2 weeks to process. It must be authorized by your school's International Student Office and notified to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
OPT is authorized by USCIS and can take 2-5 months to process. You can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but you cannot begin employment until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.
F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and off-campus work authorization in cases of severe economic hardship.
