Janice Lozano
International students with an F-1 visa are permitted to work in the US, but their work authorization is limited. F-1 students must show that they can afford school and living costs before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus. However, off-campus employment may be authorized in cases of severe economic hardship after enrollment, provided the student has been in good academic standing for at least one year. On-campus employment is allowed after the first academic year, and there are options for temporary employment authorization, such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allow students to be employed during and after their studies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Visa requirements | Enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program at an approved school; full-time enrollment; English proficiency or courses leading to English proficiency; sufficient funds for self-support |
| Work authorization | F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment; after the first year, they may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions, such as severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances |
| Application process | Submit Form I-765 ("Application for Employment Authorization") with supporting documents and fees; obtain internship offer with an international organization recognized under the International Organization Immunities Act; work with DSO to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS |
| Duration of authorization | Off-campus employment authorization ends 1 year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first |
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What You'll Learn
- F-1 visa holders can work off-campus after the first academic year
- Students must prove they can afford living and tuition costs
- On-campus employment is allowed for F-1 visa holders
- Students must be enrolled in an academic, language-training or vocational program
- OPT and CPT allow for temporary employment authorization
F-1 visa holders can work off-campus after the first academic year
International students on an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus after completing their first academic year. However, there are specific requirements and restrictions that must be adhered to. Firstly, F-1 students must demonstrate that they have been enrolled for at least one academic year, maintained good academic standing, and remained in status. Additionally, they must show that they are unable to secure on-campus employment or that the pay from available on-campus employment is insufficient to meet their financial needs. This requirement can be waived in cases of severe economic hardship, such as loss of financial aid or substantial fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
To obtain authorization for off-campus employment, F-1 students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with the specified fees to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Designated School Official (DSO) plays a crucial role in this process by providing the student with Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," which certifies their eligibility for off-campus employment. The DSO must also ensure that the student understands the guidelines for off-campus employment.
It is important to note that off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students is typically valid for one year and may need to be renewed. F-1 students can engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which must be an integral part of their degree program or a requirement for a course worth academic credit. Another option is the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension, which allows eligible students to work off-campus.
International students on F-1 visas have work authorization through CPT and OPT, and they usually answer yes to work authorization questions when applying for jobs. However, some students may answer no if they plan to return to their home country or pursue further education. Overall, F-1 visa holders have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience through off-campus employment after their first academic year by following the necessary procedures and meeting the specified requirements.
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Students must prove they can afford living and tuition costs
International students on an F-1 visa are required to demonstrate that they have the financial resources to support their studies in the United States. This includes showing that they can afford tuition, books, living expenses, travel, and other related costs. Students can do this by submitting a proof-of-funds document, also known as a visa support letter, or a combination of several proof-of-funds documents.
There are various documents that can serve as proof of funds or financial evidence. These include bank statements showing a balance that covers tuition and living expenses, sponsor documentation (if a family member or other individual is sponsoring the student), financial aid letters, scholarship letters, and employer letters stating the annual salary. It is important to note that the bank statements should be recent, typically within the last three months.
For those who indicate that they have a sponsor, such as a friend or family member, providing funding, a Sponsor Endorsement Form must also be uploaded. This form is not required if the student does not have a financial sponsor and their proof of funding is in their name alone. Certain Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools may have specific requirements for acceptable forms of evidence, so it is recommended to verify with the school's international student office.
While international students are not eligible for U.S. government-funded financial aid, some SEVP-certified schools offer financial aid and scholarships for their F and M students. Additionally, students can consider taking out a student loan to help cover expenses. It is important to plan finances in advance to ensure that all necessary requirements can be met.
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On-campus employment is allowed for F-1 visa holders
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work in on-campus jobs, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. F-1 visa holders are allowed to work on-campus as long as they are enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. They must also be enrolled as full-time students at institutions approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On-campus employment for F-1 visa holders is defined as work that takes place either at the student's school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location. This includes work for on-site commercial businesses, such as a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students. It is important to note that F-1 visa holders cannot work for companies that do not have a contract with their school, even if the work location is on school property.
There are specific guidelines that F-1 visa holders must follow for on-campus employment. They may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during vacations or when school is not in session. They must also report their work and obtain a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security number.
F-1 visa holders should be aware that not complying with these guidelines may result in a violation of their status and could lead to their departure from the United States. Additionally, they may be able to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree, but this requires prior authorization from USCIS and their school's International Student Office.
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Students must be enrolled in an academic, language-training or vocational program
International students who wish to study in the United States will generally need a student visa. There are two non-immigrant visa categories: the F-1 Visa (Academic Student) and the M-1 Visa (Vocational Student). To obtain either of these visas, students must be enrolled in an academic, language-training or vocational program.
The F-1 Visa is for international students who want to enter the US as full-time students at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or in a language-training program. The program must culminate in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and the school must be authorized by the US government to accept foreign students. F-1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment under certain conditions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, provided they have remained enrolled for at least one academic year and are in good academic standing. Off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first.
The M-1 Visa, on the other hand, is for students enrolled in vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training. M-1 students are admitted for a fixed time period that includes the time necessary to complete their course of study, plus an additional 30 days to depart the United States, not exceeding a total period of one year. M-1 students are only permitted to engage in English language training if their primary intention is to pursue vocational or technical training, and they are taking English language courses at the same school. Unlike F-1 students, M-1 students may only engage in practical training after they have completed their studies.
To obtain off-campus employment authorization, both F-1 and M-1 students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", along with the required fees, to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO must also provide the student with a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", certifying their eligibility. If the application is approved, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), from USCIS and can begin working.
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OPT and CPT allow for temporary employment authorization
International students on F-1 visas can gain temporary work authorization through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a temporary work authorization that allows international students on F-1 visas to work off-campus during their academic program after one year of full-time study. CPT can be authorized on a part-time or full-time basis, and the duration of a CPT internship is determined by the employer and academic program. Students can have multiple part-time CPT jobs at once, and there is no limit to CPT. However, 12 months of full-time CPT makes students ineligible for OPT.
OPT is also a form of 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 for pre-completion off-campus work during an academic program or post-completion work after graduation. Students can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, and it must relate to their major or course of study. To apply for OPT, students must mail a completed Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay a filing fee. USCIS will send an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon approval, and students must wait to start work until they receive their EAD.
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. CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States. For off-campus employment authorization under F-1 visas, students must generally show an inability to get on-campus employment or insufficient pay from available on-campus employment to meet their financial needs. USCIS will authorize off-campus employment only in cases of severe economic hardship after enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students need work authorization to work in the US. They must also be enrolled in an academic program and have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies.
There are two types of nonimmigrant visas available for international students wishing to study and work in the US: the F-1 visa and the M-1 visa. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment during their first academic year and off-campus employment after.
To get work authorization with an F-1 visa, you must first be enrolled for at least one academic year and be in good academic standing. You must then submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", along with a fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
