Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the USA on a student visa have several options for working before and after graduation. Students with an F-1 visa can 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. Off-campus work is more restricted, and F-1 students must meet eligibility requirements and obtain official authorization before starting any off-campus work. Students may be eligible for off-campus work authorization in cases of severe economic hardship or special circumstances, such as natural disasters or wars. Additionally, students can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain work experience related to their field of study. After graduation, international students can apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension or a STEM OPT extension to their F-1 visa, allowing them to stay and work in the US legally. Alternatively, they can apply for an H-1B visa or pursue a green card to work and live in the US long-term.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 (Academic Student) or M-1 (Vocational Student) |
| Work eligibility | Students on F-1 visas may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies. |
| Work hours | Students on F-1 visas can 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. |
| Work duration | Students on F-1 visas can work off-campus for up to one year. |
| Work authorization | Students on F-1 visas must obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and have their eligibility confirmed by the Designated School Official (DSO). |
| Social Security Number | A Social Security Number (SSN) is required for on-campus and off-campus jobs. |
| Post-graduation work | International students can apply for a work extension visa, with guidance from mentors and advisors. They can also seek organizations that sponsor work visas. |
| Green card | International students can apply for a green card through various means, including employer sponsorship, relative sponsorship, and military service. |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus jobs
International students in the United States 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 and does not require USCIS approval. However, on-campus employment opportunities are limited at most schools.
F-1 students may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Active F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. To apply, students must talk to their designated school official (DSO). If approved, the DSO will provide a letter of approval, which, along with a letter of approval from the employer, can be used to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). All students who wish to work on campus must apply for an SSN. Students cannot work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not.
On-campus employment must be for the school or for a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. For example, if the school contracts with a food service company, an F-1 student can work for that company at school facilities but not at any off-campus locations. Students may continue on-campus employment if they finish a program (e.g. a bachelor's degree) and start another program at the same campus, as long as they plan to enrol in the new program for the next term. If otherwise eligible, an F-1 student may continue to work on campus with a pending application for reinstatement or change of status.
There are several other categories of employment for F-1 students, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Severe Economic Hardship Employment. CPT is employment that trains students in their field of study and for which they fulfil an academic credit or part of their degree requirement. CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to their field of study. CPT authorization will specify whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment, and while in school, students can only be approved for part-time CPT. OPT is an off-campus employment opportunity for F-1 students that connects them with US organizations where they can gain hands-on experience in their major field of study. Students can work off-campus on OPT for up to one year either before or after they graduate. Students can apply for OPT nine months after being enrolled, but they cannot begin working until they have received their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and have been enrolled for at least a year. Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can prove a severe economic hardship beyond their control, and for whom on-campus employment opportunities are insufficient or unavailable.
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Off-campus jobs
International students in the United States on an F-1 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). While on-campus employment is the most freely available option, there are four categories of off-campus employment available to F-1 students:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is a type of employment that trains you in your field of study and for which you fulfil academic credit or part of your degree requirement. This may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience that is related to your field of study. CPT employment must be part-time (20 hours per week) during the academic year but can be full-time during breaks and summer vacation. To be eligible for CPT, students must have been in F-1 status for at least nine months.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is an off-campus employment opportunity for F-1 students that connects them with US organizations where they can gain hands-on experience in their major field of study. OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US and can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time. Students can apply for OPT nine months after being enrolled and must have been enrolled for at least one year before starting work. OPT employment is authorized for up to one year either before or after graduation.
Severe Economic Hardship Employment
This benefit is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can prove a severe economic hardship beyond their control, such as unexpected medical bills or substantial increases in tuition and/or living costs. On-campus employment opportunities must be insufficient or unavailable for this option.
Emergent Circumstances
In the case of world events that affect a specific group of F-1 students and cause them to suffer severe economic hardship, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises, USCIS may authorize off-campus employment.
It is important to note that F-1 students must maintain valid F-1 status and good academic standing to remain eligible for off-campus employment. Working off-campus without authorization can result in the loss of F-1 status and the revocation of the F-1 visa.
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Work visas
International students in the US on F1 visas 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 Services (USCIS). Students on M-1 visas may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment.
There are several categories of employment during the term of an international student's stay in the US on an F1 visa. One option is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is an off-campus employment option when the practical training is an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. To qualify, the work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Students must have received a job offer before submitting their CPT authorization request, and their International Student Office must authorize CPT. CPT employment is limited to a specific employer and dates and may be part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time. There is no limit to how long a student can work on CPT, but those who work full-time for 12 months or more are not eligible for OPT.
Another option is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to stay in the US legally after graduating. OPT work must be full-time (40 hours/week) and must be completed within 14 months after completing a degree. Applications for OPT must be received by USCIS before the completion of the degree. Students can also apply for a STEM OPT extension.
Students can also work with a "recognized international organization" like the Red Cross or the World Health Organization. To qualify, students must have been in valid F1 status for at least one full academic year and be in good academic standing. They can then apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.
After graduation, international students can apply for a work visa, such as the H-1B visa, to remain in the US.
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Student visas
International students in the US on F1 visas are allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. However, they cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization.
To be eligible for off-campus employment, F1 students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. They must also be in good academic standing. If these requirements are met, they can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The EAD application requires several forms and documents, together with fees and photos, and processing can take up to 12 weeks or longer. Students cannot start working until they receive their EAD.
There are three types of off-campus employment options for F1 students:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This is a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience that is related to the student's field of study and for which they receive academic credit or fulfills a part of their degree requirement.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): This is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after graduation. OPT work must be at least 20 hours per week and must be completed within 14 months after the completion of the degree.
- Employment with a "recognized international organization": To qualify, the organization must be on the official State Department list, such as the Red Cross, African and Asian Development Banks, or the World Health Organization. The employment must be within the scope of the organization's sponsorship and within the student's field of study.
Students can also apply for a work extension visa or a green card to stay and work in the US after graduation. Organizations in the US can sponsor work visas, and employers can initiate the process of transferring an F1 student visa status to an H-1B status, allowing the student to work and live in the US for up to six years.
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Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. However, they 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 (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension
To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must have completed one full academic year and be in good academic standing. The off-campus employment authorization ends one year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first.
To apply for off-campus employment, F-1 students must first obtain an internship offer from an international organization and then work with their Designated School Official (DSO) to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The DSO will review the student's circumstances and enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The student will then need to file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, along with supporting documents and fees. The processing time for Form I-765 can take up to 90 days, and the EAD authorization is valid for one year. If the job continues beyond one year, the student must apply for a renewal EAD at least six months before the current authorization expires to avoid any gaps in their employment authorization.
It is important to note that the rules and regulations regarding international student employment in the United States can be complex and may change. F-1 students should carefully follow the guidelines provided by their DSO and USCIS to maintain their legal status and avoid any issues with their visa. Additionally, seeking mentorship and advice from professionals and advisors can be beneficial in navigating the job search process and visa requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
It can take up to 12 weeks or longer to process an EAD application. You will need to submit several forms and documents, as well as pay fees and provide photos. You cannot start working until you receive your EAD.
International students with an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions, such as severe economic hardship or special student relief. Off-campus employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
International students with an F-1 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during breaks, provided they intend to return to school after the break.
International students can extend their stay by applying for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension or a STEM OPT extension to their F-1 visa. They can also transition to a work visa, such as the H-1B, with employer sponsorship, or pursue a green card through various pathways.
