Lori Meadows
International students who wish to work in the United States must obtain a work visa. The type of visa depends on the nature of the work and the student's field of study. F-1 visas are intended for academic students enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at an accredited academic institution, while M-1 visas are for vocational students. F-1 visa holders may engage in on-campus employment without prior authorization, but off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS. To work off-campus, F-1 students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows for up to 12 months of full-time employment. Alternatively, students may seek an internship with an international organization and apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. After graduation, F-1 visa holders can extend their stay by applying for an OPT extension or pursuing an H-1B visa, which allows for an initial period of three years of employment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Visa requirements | Enrolled in an accredited academic program, language-training program, or vocational program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program |
| Work eligibility | F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment in certain circumstances. M-1 students must have any off-campus employment related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS. |
| Work duration | F-1 students can apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to work off-campus for up to 12 months after graduation. |
| Additional requirements | Students must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and have been enrolled for at least a year before starting work. |
| Other visa options | H-1B visa for postgraduates, which is granted for an initial period of three years and can be extended for another three years. |
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What You'll Learn
Getting an F-1 visa
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will need a student visa. The F-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most popular type of student visa for students seeking to study at a US college or university.
To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and you must be enrolled as a full-time student. You must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. Additionally, you must have sufficient funds available for self-support during your entire proposed course of study and maintain a residence abroad that you do not intend to give up.
To apply for an F-1 visa, you must first be accepted by an accredited US institution. You will then need to complete the online nonimmigrant visa application, Form DS-160, and print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. You will also need to upload a photo while completing the form. After successfully submitting your DS-160, you will receive a printed confirmation with a barcode, which you will need for your visa interview. You must then find your nearest US embassy or consulate and schedule your visa interview. During the interview, the US consulate or embassy will confirm that you are coming to study as a legitimate, serious student. You must also prove that you have the funds to cover your studies and confirm that you plan on returning home after completing your studies.
It is important to note that F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must have remained enrolled for at least one academic year and be in good academic standing.
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Applying for OPT
International students in the United States can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work off-campus. To be eligible for an F-1 Visa (Academic Student), you must be enrolled in a full-time academic program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate at a school authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension.
To apply for OPT, you must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization recognized under the International Organization Immunities Act (59 Stat. 669). You will then need to work with your school's Designated School Official (DSO) and apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. The DSO will enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and provide you with a supporting Form I-20, which certifies your status as an F-1 student.
Make sure that any photos submitted to USCIS must be unmounted and unretouched. The submission of retouched images will delay the processing of your application and may require you to appear at an Applicant Support Center for identity verification.
Additionally, off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students ends one year after issuance or upon the completion of your program, whichever comes first. As an F-1 student, you may also be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT upon graduation. Keep in mind that any off-campus employment must be related to your area of study and must be authorized by the DSO and USCIS prior to starting work.
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Getting an Employment Authorization Document
International students in the United States can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to prove that they are authorized to work in the country for a specific period. The EAD is commonly known as a work permit.
To obtain an EAD, you generally need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. You will need to apply for an EAD if you are authorized to work in the United States due to your immigration status or circumstances (for example, if you are a refugee) and need evidence of that employment authorization. You will also need to apply for an EAD if you need to request employment authorization because you have a pending Form I-485 or Form I-589.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). For off-campus employment, F-1 students must have authorization from a Designated School Official and USCIS, and the work must be related to their area of study.
If your EAD is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may request a replacement by filing a new Form I-765 and paying the required fee, unless a fee waiver is approved. You can also submit an inquiry if you did not receive your EAD by mail. If your EAD contains incorrect information due to a USCIS error, you can request a correction at no additional cost.
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Working on-campus
International students in the United States on an F1 visa are permitted to work on-campus, 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 F1 students, and it does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus employment opportunities are limited at most schools.
To be eligible for on-campus employment, F1 students must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. Their school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and they must be enrolled as full-time students. Additionally, F1 students must prove they have sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living expenses before arriving in the United States.
F1 students who are approved for on-campus employment may work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and full-time during holidays and vacation periods. The work must take place at the school location or an educationally affiliated off-campus location, such as a bookstore or cafeteria, and it must directly provide services for students. On-campus employment must not displace a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Before accepting any on-campus employment, F1 students should obtain permission from their school's International Student Office and ensure they are maintaining lawful F1 status. They may also need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) and file all appropriate forms with USCIS.
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Getting a green card
International students in the United States typically hold an F1 visa, which is a non-immigrant 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 Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option, and off-campus employment is also possible under specific circumstances.
To work off-campus, F1 students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and be in good academic standing. They must also obtain an internship offer with an international organization and work with their Designated School Official (DSO) to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. This off-campus employment authorization ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first.
After graduation, F1 students may be eligible for post-completion optional practical training (OPT). OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time, and students can apply for it without needing a job offer. However, when they do get a job, it must be directly related to their area of study.
While the F1 visa allows international students to work in the US under certain conditions, it is only temporary. Acquiring a green card is the ultimate goal for many international students who wish to work in the US long-term. A green card allows individuals to work anywhere in the US, receive financial benefits, and live in the country indefinitely. Here are some ways international students can obtain a green card:
- Employer sponsorship: If you are employed while studying, your employer can sponsor you by applying for an EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card.
- Asylum: If returning to your home country poses a danger to your well-being, you can petition for asylum with the help of an immigration lawyer. USCIS reviews these petitions on a case-by-case basis.
- Sponsorship by a relative who owns a business: Your relative must prove that you are being hired based on your qualifications and that they have made a good-faith effort to hire an American citizen first.
- Military service: Serving two years in the military can support your green card application.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a student visa, either an F or M visa. An F-1 visa is for academic students, while an M-1 visa is for vocational students.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Optional Practical Training (OPT).
OPT is off-campus employment for F-1 students that connects them with US organizations where they can gain hands-on experience in their major field of study.
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 and have been enrolled for at least a year.
Yes, on-campus employment is the most freely permitted type of employment by USCIS regulations. However, you may need to obtain permission from your International Student Office before accepting any on-campus employment.
