Janice Lozano
International students in the US with an F-1 visa are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during holidays and vacation periods. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and severe economic hardship employment. CPT is training that is a required part of a student's curriculum and relates to their major field of study, while OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 status. Severe economic hardship employment is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can demonstrate financial difficulties due to circumstances beyond their control.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1, M-1 |
| Work type | On-campus, off-campus |
| Work hours | Up to 20 hours per week during classes, up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session |
| Work duration | Full-time during holidays and vacation periods |
| Work conditions | Employment must be "directly related" to the student's major, within their field of study, and within the scope of the organization's sponsorship |
| Work eligibility | Student must be in good academic standing, have been enrolled for at least one academic year, and have active F1 status |
| Application process | Apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) |
| Application requirements | Internship offer with a "recognized international organization", Form I-20, Form I-765, proof of eligibility (e.g. passport, visa), letter from employer |
| Processing time | Up to 3 months for EAD, 10-14 business days for SSN |
| Limitations | Cannot work off-campus during the first academic year, limited opportunities on campus, strict eligibility requirements for off-campus employment |
| Severe economic hardship employment | Available to students who have completed one academic year and proven severe economic hardship, with insufficient on-campus employment opportunities |
| Post-completion OPT | Apply up to 90 days before graduation, allowed a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while seeking employment |
| OPT extension | Available for students in U.S. government-recognized STEM fields for an additional two years (total of 36 months) |
| CPT | Curricular Practical Training, can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the field of study |
| OPT | Optional Practical Training, work authorization for up to one year before or after graduation, in areas related to the student's major |
| OPT expiration options | Employer sponsorship, F-1 to green card lottery, transfer to a new school or program, change visa status, or leave the U.S. |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US on an F1 visa are allowed to work, 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 international students.
There are several rules that international students should be aware of when seeking on-campus employment:
- You may need to 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.
- You can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods if you intend to register for the next academic semester.
- Your employment may not displace (take a job away from) a US resident.
- You can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session or during annual vacation.
- You will need a Social Security Number to get a job on campus, which you can obtain by reporting your work and receiving a certification letter from your employer.
There are various on-campus jobs available for international students, including:
- Library assistant
- Teaching assistant
- Sales assistant in a campus supermarket or store
- Barista in an on-campus cafe
- Tutor or peer mentor
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Off-campus work rules
Off-campus employment rules for international students in the USA are complex and subject to strict regulations. Generally, F1 students are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, there are certain circumstances in which off-campus employment is allowed for F1 students who have completed at least one academic year.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is a type of off-campus employment that trains students in their field of study and can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to their major. It is considered a part of the student's educational program and must be an integral part of their curriculum or related to contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is a form of off-campus work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. Students can apply for post-completion OPT up to 90 days before graduation, but it is recommended to apply at least 45 days in advance. The authorization ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first. Students on OPT can accumulate a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while seeking employment.
Severe Economic Hardship Employment
F1 students facing severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances may be eligible for off-campus employment. This option is available to students who can demonstrate that on-campus employment opportunities are insufficient or unavailable. The hardship may be due to emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters, wars, or international financial crises, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
It is important to note that all off-campus employment for F1 students must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Students must seek guidance from their International Student Office and ensure they meet eligibility requirements to avoid working illegally, which can result in the loss of their F1 status and visa.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the US with a valid F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of employment that is considered 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 programme, and students must have a job offer at the time of application.
CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic programme, and students must maintain full-time enrolment during the fall and winter CPT. CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States. For example, a summer internship in a student’s home country does not need CPT authorization. Students must apply for work authorization by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee. USCIS will send an EAD upon approval of the petition.
Full-time CPT is defined as employment for more than 20 hours per week. 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate eligibility for OPT. Students must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) during their final term of study to pursue CPT. CPT authorization is strongly recommended for all unpaid internships, even if the student does not need to provide employment authorization documents to the company.
DSOs must authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, according to school policies. Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. The DSO will provide a new Form I-20 that shows their recommendation for the training opportunity.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students in the US with a valid F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status both during and after the completion of their degree. OPT is a temporary employment authorization that allows international students to gain valuable experience and apply their education in a real-world setting. It is directly related to the student's major area of study and can be authorized for up to 12 months full-time in total.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least 9 months and must have maintained lawful F1 status for at least one full academic year. Additionally, they must be in good academic standing and their employment must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The DSO will recommend OPT by endorsing the student's Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", and entering the recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must then submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", along with the required fee and supporting documentation to USCIS.
It is important to note that OPT employment can be full-time or part-time, and all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT. Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT. OPT is a critical component of US higher education for international students, particularly in STEM fields, and can significantly impact their decisions to study and remain in the US.
F-1 students may also be eligible for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization if they have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and meet other requirements. This extension is known as the STEM OPT Extension.
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Severe economic hardship employment
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they may accept on-campus employment, although opportunities are often limited. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship employment.
- They must have held a valid F1 status for at least one full academic year and be in good academic standing.
- They must demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. This may be due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control, such as loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, substantial changes in exchange rates or tuition fees, unexpected medical bills, or other substantial expenses.
- They must show that working off-campus will not adversely impact their ability to attend school full-time and maintain their academic standing.
If approved, students will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the USCIS. They can then legally work off-campus for up to one year or until their program ends, whichever comes first. It's important to note that the application process can take up to 3 months, and students must carefully follow the guidelines and provide the necessary documentation to ensure a successful application.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need an F-1 Visa (Academic Student) to enter the US as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, or academic institution.
During the first academic year, students can only work on campus for up to 20 hours per week. After the first year, the range of legal job opportunities broadens to include Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT is training that is a required part of your school's curriculum and relates to your major field of study. It can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to your field of study.
OPT is work authorization that allows you to work in areas related to your major for up to one year before or after graduation.
For CPT, you apply through your university's Designated School Officials (DSOs), typically located in the international student advising office. For OPT, you must apply to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before starting work.
