Lana Oconnell
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. However, this requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the school's International Student Office. Students can also work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. To get a job, international students need a Social Security Number (SSN), which can only be applied for once a job offer has been made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 or M-1 |
| Student status | Enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program |
| School approval | Approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement |
| Off-campus work | Only allowed under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) |
| CPT eligibility | Must be enrolled full-time for one year on valid F1 status; work experience must be required for your degree or academic credit must be awarded |
| OPT eligibility | Must be enrolled for at least 9 months and receive Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS |
| Work hours | CPT: up to 20 hours/week (part-time) or more than 20 hours/week (full-time); OPT: 40 hours/week |
| On-campus work | Allowed for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session |
| Social Security Number (SSN) | Required for employment; apply with a job offer letter, passport, F-1 visa, and other documents |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
International students in the US with an F1 visa are generally allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks when classes are not in session. However, on-campus employment opportunities are limited at most schools.
To apply for on-campus employment, you should first talk to your Designated School Official (DSO) or your International Student Office. If you are approved, your DSO will provide you with a letter of approval, which you will need to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN).
There are various on-campus jobs available for international students. For example, you could work as a library assistant, a research assistant, a campus ambassador, a sales assistant in a university store, a barista in an on-campus cafe, a tutor or peer mentor, or a teaching assistant.
It is important to note that the rules and regulations for international students working in the US can change frequently, so it is essential to stay informed and seek guidance from your school's International Student Office.
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Off-campus employment
International students in the US on an F-1 visa can work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after their degree. However, this requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and the student's school International Student Office.
To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and be in good academic standing. They must also demonstrate 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. In addition, USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship, which may include the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, provided the student is not at fault.
To apply for off-campus employment, F-1 students must complete Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," and pay a fee to USCIS. They must also obtain a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," endorsed by their school's Designated School Official (DSO).
Another option for off-campus employment is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is available to F-1 students when the practical training is an integral part of their curriculum or academic program. CPT employment may include internships, cooperative education, or any other type of required practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Prior authorization from the school's International Student Office and notification to USCIS are required for CPT. Unlike OPT, CPT authorization specifies the employer and dates of employment, and students can only work for the authorized employer during the authorized period. While there is no limit to how long a student can work with CPT authorization, working full-time for 12 months or more on CPT makes the student ineligible for OPT.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
International students in the US on a valid F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completing their degree. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is one such off-campus employment option, but it is distinct from OPT. CPT is defined as "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school". CPT employment must be an integral part of your degree program or a requirement for a course for which you receive academic credit. You can get paid for CPT employment.
To qualify for CPT, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT).
- The CPT employment must be an integral part of your degree program or a requirement for a course for which you receive academic credit.
- You must have prior authorization from your school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
Once you receive CPT authorization, you can only work for the specific employer and for the specific dates authorized. Your CPT authorization will specify whether you are approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week) CPT employment. While in school, you can only be approved for part-time CPT. Regardless of whether you are approved for full-time or part-time CPT, there is no limit to how long you can work. However, if you work full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, you are not eligible for OPT.
It is important to note that CPT is different from OPT in terms of flexibility. With OPT, you can work anywhere in the US, whereas CPT restricts you to working for a specific employer and for specific dates. Additionally, with OPT, you must work full-time (40 hours/week) after completing your degree, whereas CPT allows for part-time employment.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students in the US with a valid F1 immigration status are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree. The OPT allows students to gain real-world work experience related to their field of study.
The rules governing OPT are established by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), and all OPT employment requires prior authorization from the USCIS and the student's school's International Student Office. 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 the USCIS and have been enrolled for at least a year. It is important to note that students do not need to have a job offer to apply for their OPT EAD, and their OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US.
The OPT application process involves several steps and requires the submission of Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with the required fee and supporting documentation. Students should also be mindful of processing times, as USCIS can take up to 90 days to process an application.
It is important to note that OPT is only available to F-1 students who have not previously authorized for 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is another type of practical training available to F-1 students, which is integral to their major and must be a part of their program of study. Students who have engaged in full-time CPT for 12 months or more are ineligible for OPT, while those who have engaged in part-time CPT can still apply for OPT.
Additionally, students who transfer to another school or begin studies at another educational level will have their authorization to engage in OPT employment automatically terminated. This termination does not affect their F-1 status as long as they continue to meet all the requirements for maintaining their student status.
In conclusion, OPT provides international students in the US with an opportunity to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. By following the necessary procedures and regulations, students can benefit from the flexibility of OPT to enhance their professional skills and build their careers.
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Social Security Number (SSN)
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. However, this requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the student's school's International Student Office.
To work in the US, international students must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). An SSN is issued to track earnings over a worker's lifetime. It is not a work permit, and you must have separate authorization to work. To obtain an SSN, you must show the Social Security Administration that you are eligible to work in the US. You can apply for an SSN in person at a local Social Security Administration office. It is recommended that new students wait at least two to three weeks from their arrival in the US before requesting an SSN.
To apply for an SSN, you will need to bring the following documents:
- ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter
- I-94 card; or, a copy of your J-1 admission stamp in your passport and a printout of your electronic I-94 information
- An employment offer letter from your department/hiring office
- Documentation for employment authorization from your ISS adviser or your sponsoring agency
You must also complete the social security application online. After visiting a local SSA office to show your documents in person, the Social Security Administration will mail your number and card as soon as all of your immigration information has been verified. This can take two to four weeks or more.
If you are an F-1 student, you must also provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or OPT. If you are a J-1 student, you must show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for international students wishing to study in the US: F and M visas. F-1 students must show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the country and should not plan to work off-campus.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the 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. Prior authorization by your school’s International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization that will allow you to work in areas related to your major for up to one year either before or after you graduate. To be eligible, you must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F1 student status. 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.
You cannot apply for an SSN until you have a job offer, and an employer cannot pay you until you provide them with your SSN. To apply for an SSN, bring the following documents to the Social Security Office: a letter from your employer stating the job title, work hours, start date and rate of pay; a letter from your International Student Services Office confirming your eligibility to work; your passport, F-1 visa and I-94 number; and your Form I-20.
