Janice Lozano
International students often face strict regulations when it comes to working off-campus, with eligibility depending on their visa status, enrolment conditions, and the country they are studying in. In the United States, F-1 visa holders are generally not permitted to work off-campus without prior authorization, and their employment must be related to their field of study. Similarly, in Canada, international students must meet specific requirements to work off-campus without a permit, including being enrolled as full-time students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Work permit requirement | Not required if you're a full-time student at a designated learning institution and in the last semester of your study program |
| Work hours limit | 24 hours per week |
| Work eligibility | Must be stated in the conditions on your study permit |
| Self-employed students | Responsible for keeping track of the hours worked and complying with the conditions of their study permit |
| Application for SIN | Must be done after changing the conditions on the study permit |
| Country | United States |
| Work eligibility | Must be enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status |
| Off-campus employment authorization | Ends 1 year after issuance or upon completion of the program |
| On-campus employment | Allowed if enrolled in a new program of study at the same campus for the next term |
| Off-campus employment for F-1 students | Only allowed in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances as defined by the DHS |
| Social Security Number (SSN) | Required for getting a job on and off-campus |
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What You'll Learn
Work permit requirements
International students wishing to work off-campus in Canada or the United States need to ensure they have the correct permits and authorisations in place. Here are the work permit requirements for both countries:
Canada
As of November 8, 2024, international students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus without a work permit for up to 24 hours per week, provided they meet certain conditions. These include being a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and being in the last semester of their study program. Students and their employers must ensure these requirements are met before starting any off-campus work.
If a student wishes to work off-campus but does not meet the requirements for working without a permit, they may need to apply for a work permit. This involves changing the conditions of their study permit, which requires a fee. To do this, students must apply online and include a letter explaining why they need the condition removed.
United States
In the United States, international students with an F-1 visa generally need to obtain official authorisation to work off-campus. Off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
There are several options for F-1 students seeking off-campus work authorisation in the United States:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This is training or an internship related to the student's field of study, for which they receive academic credit.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation.
- Severe Economic Hardship Employment: This is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can demonstrate severe economic hardship beyond their control, such as loss of financial aid or substantial increases in living costs.
- Internship with an International Organization: F-1 students can also seek internships with recognised international organisations, but this is subject to time limits.
To apply for off-campus employment authorisation, students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", to USCIS, along with Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status". It is important to note that working illegally can result in the loss of F-1 student status and the revocation of the F-1 visa.
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Severe economic hardship
International students with an F-1 visa are usually expected to show that they can afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States and should not plan to work off-campus. However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship. This is defined as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control that make it difficult for a student to continue their education.
To qualify for off-campus employment under these circumstances, students must be able to demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. They must also have been enrolled for at least one academic year, be in good academic standing, and have F-1 status. Examples of unforeseen circumstances that may cause severe economic hardship include the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment (if the student is not at fault), substantial changes in the exchange rate, unexpected medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
If a student believes they meet the criteria for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, they should meet with an advisor to discuss their financial situation. They will then need to request a Severe Economic Hardship I-20 through MyISSS and file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with the USCIS. They will also need to pay a fee and provide supporting evidence, such as a letter describing their financial difficulties.
It is important to note that off-campus employment recommendations for severe economic hardship cannot exceed one year. Additionally, any off-campus training employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting work.
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Curricular practical training
CPT is available to F-1 students, who must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program or a language-training program. The training must be an integral part of the established curriculum and must be related to the student's area of study. The Designated School Official (DSO) must authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. Students can work a minimum of 40 hours a week and can work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or less per week).
To apply for CPT, students must complete the CPT Employment Authorization in the Employment/Training section, clicking on the "New CPT Employment" option. The following information is required:
- Employment start and end date
- Whether the training is full-time or part-time
- Name of the company or organization where the training will take place
- Address where the training will take place
- Description of how the training is an integral part of the established curriculum
It is important to note that CPT authorization ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first.
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Optional practical training
To apply for OPT, students must first request a recommendation from their Designated School Official (DSO), who will endorse their Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." Students must then file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with the required fee and supporting documentation. Students cannot begin their OPT until their Form I-765 is approved and they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Students with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) degree may be eligible for a 24-month extension of their OPT authorization. To qualify, students must have received their STEM degree from an accredited college or university, and their employer must be registered with the government's E-Verify program. Students must complete and sign Form I-983, "Training Plan for STEM OPT Students," with their employer and submit it along with their extension application.
It is important to note that working without authorization in the United States can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country and re-entry bars. Students must also maintain their student status by complying with all requirements, including not working on a terminated EAD.
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International internships
In the United States, international students on F-1 visas are generally not permitted to work off-campus unless authorized by the Designated School Official and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Off-campus employment for F-1 students is usually authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These circumstances include world events that cause severe economic hardship, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises. Additionally, F-1 students may be eligible for post-completion optional practical training upon graduation, which can provide opportunities for international internships.
To find international internship opportunities, students can explore various platforms and organizations. Websites like GoAbroad.com offer directories of internships abroad, allowing students to search by destination, career field, or timeframe. They provide both paid and unpaid internships, with paid internships being more competitive and requiring a strong application. Students can also consider custom-building their own internships, similar to studying abroad, by reaching out to organizations or companies directly. Additionally, specific programs, such as the Asia Internship Program (AIP), provide structured internship experiences with support and guidance throughout the process.
Another option for international internships is to explore opportunities with organizations like UNICEF. UNICEF offers internships for students and recent graduates, providing practical work experience and a monthly stipend. They may also provide support with visa applications and travel costs. UNICEF internships typically last between six and twenty-six weeks and require proficiency in one of their working languages: English, French, or Spanish.
It is important to note that the regulations and requirements for international internships vary by country and institution. Students should carefully review the eligibility criteria and any necessary visas or permits before applying for international internships. Additionally, maintaining compliance with the conditions of their student status and work permits is crucial to avoid any adverse consequences, such as losing student status or facing deportation.
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Frequently asked questions
To work off-campus in Canada, international students must be enrolled as full-time students at a designated learning institution (DLI). Students must also ensure that they are in their last semester of their study program and do not need a full course load to complete their program. If you meet these requirements, you can work off-campus without a work permit for up to 24 hours per week.
In the United States, international students with an F-1 visa are eligible for off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship, which is defined as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances that make it difficult for a student to continue their education. Students must have completed at least one academic year and be able to prove their economic hardship. Off-campus employment recommendations cannot exceed one year.
To apply for off-campus work in the United States, international students must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status". Students must also ensure that their Designated School Official (DSO) verifies their eligibility for off-campus employment by entering the information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
