Lori Meadows
International students often take on part-time jobs to cover basic expenses or gain international experience. The number of hours they can work per week depends on the country they are studying in and whether they are working on-campus or off-campus. In Canada, international students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit, while in the US, international students can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus and must meet eligibility requirements to work off-campus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly off-campus work hours for international students in Canada | 24 hours |
| Maximum weekly on-campus work hours for international students in Canada | No limit |
| Maximum weekly on-campus work hours for international students in the US | 20 hours |
| Maximum weekly off-campus work hours for international students in the US | 20 hours |
| Off-campus work hours limit for F-1 students in the US | 20 hours |
| Off-campus work hours for international students in the US with "severe economic hardship" | 20 hours |
| Maximum work hours for students with CPT authorization in the US | 20 hours (part-time) or more than 20 hours (full-time) |
| Maximum work hours for students with OPT authorization in the US | 40 hours |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
On-campus work in the US
International students in the US with valid F-1 status can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not. On-campus employment is the most easily available type of work for international students, and it does not require approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, opportunities for on-campus employment are limited at most schools, and the work may not be related to your studies or provide much income. Before accepting on-campus employment, international students may need to obtain permission from their school's International Student Office, and on-campus employment may not be permitted during a student's first semester or year.
To be eligible for on-campus employment, F-1 students must show that they are enrolled full-time and have the ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses. Additionally, F-1 students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and be in good academic standing. While on-campus employment is the most accessible option for international students, off-campus employment is also possible under certain circumstances. Off-campus employment must be authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS and must be related to the student's area of study. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form 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. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another 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. Severe Economic Hardship Employment is available to students who have completed at least one academic year and can demonstrate financial hardship, but this option is only approved in limited circumstances.
Unemployment Benefits for International Students: Who's Eligible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Off-campus work in the US
International students in the US enrolled full-time and in valid F-1 status can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not. However, strict rules restrict off-campus work for international students. Students in valid F-1 status cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization. Immigration regulations severely limit the eligibility of international students to accept off-campus employment.
Students must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) to get a job on or off-campus. To do this, they must complete the Social Security Number application online and take their original documents to the local Social Security Administration Office. If their application is approved, they will receive their Social Security Card within 10-14 business days.
International students in the US on an F1 visa are allowed to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completing their degree. OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year either before or after graduation. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have an active F-1 student status.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another off-campus employment option for F1 students. 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 the student's degree program or a requirement for a course for which they receive academic credit. CPT may be paid or unpaid. Students must receive CPT authorization from their school's International Student Office and notify the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). CPT authorization will specify whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment. While in school, students can only be approved for part-time CPT. If a student works full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, they are not eligible for OPT.
USCIS will only authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emergent circumstances include world events such as natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises that cause severe economic hardship.
Selling Art as an International Student: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Work in Canada
International students in Canada are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit, an increase from the previous limit of 20 hours. This change came into effect on November 15, 2024, and is intended to strike a balance between work and academic outcomes. Students can work unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays. However, they must be full-time students both before and after the break to work without restrictions during this period.
To work off-campus in Canada as an international student, certain requirements must be met. Firstly, you must be enrolled as a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) and be in the last semester of your study program, needing a reduced course load to finish. Secondly, you must have a valid study permit or have applied to extend it before it expired. Additionally, you should have received written confirmation of completing your previous program and been accepted into a new full-time study program at a DLI within 150 days.
If you intend to work on-campus, you can do so with a valid study permit. Your study permit will specify if you are allowed to work on or off-campus. If it does not, you may request an amendment. You can also work remotely for an employer outside Canada, adhering to the conditions of your study permit. This type of work does not count towards your 24-hour weekly off-campus work limit.
It is important to note that international students in Canada are considered non-residents for tax purposes. As a non-resident, you must file income tax returns the following year and cannot use NETFILE or EFILE options; instead, you must mail your return to the tax office. Additionally, your employer is required to deduct taxes from your income.
To summarise, international students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit, with no restrictions during scheduled breaks. To work legally in Canada as an international student, it is crucial to meet the eligibility requirements and understand the tax implications.
International Students: Your Path to Canadian Government Jobs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CPT and OPT in the US
International students in the US on an F-1 visa have two options for off-campus work authorization: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Both CPT and OPT allow international students to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. However, there are some key differences between the two programs.
CPT
CPT is a temporary work authorization for international students on F-1 visas, allowing them to work off-campus during their academic program after one year of full-time study. CPT can take the form of a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. It must be completed before graduating from the program and can be done part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (up to 40 hours per week). CPT must be approved by the student's university, and there is no limit to how long a student can work with CPT authorization. However, if a student engages in full-time CPT for 12 months or more, they become ineligible for OPT.
OPT
OPT is a temporary work authorization that allows F-1 students from accredited colleges or universities to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. OPT can be completed either before or after graduation, and students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT at each education level. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. The OPT application process is longer than that of CPT and requires approval from USCIS, along with an application fee. Students with OPT authorization must work full-time (40 hours per week) after completing their degree.
International students in the US should carefully consider their options and discuss their specific circumstances with their Designated School Official (DSO) or International Student Office before applying for CPT or OPT.
OPT for International Students: Understanding the Basics
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Work eligibility and permits
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will generally need a student visa. The two nonimmigrant visa categories are the F and M visas. To obtain an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration, and Customs Enforcement. You must also be enrolled as a full-time student, be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency, have sufficient funds available for self-support during your studies, and maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving up.
F-1 students may accept on-campus employment but may not work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: severe economic hardship, special student relief, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). To apply for off-campus employment due to economic hardship, you must first receive approval from your Designated School Official (DSO) and then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If approved, USCIS will send you a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), with the dates you are permitted to work off-campus. F-1 students may begin working up to 30 days before the start of their program of study and may continue on-campus employment if they immediately enrol in a new program at the same campus.
In Canada, international students are allowed to work off-campus up to 24 hours per week without a work permit.
International Students: Claiming Back Income Tax
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
International students enrolled full-time and in valid F-1 status can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school session and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. Off-campus work is limited to cases of severe economic hardship and is also capped at 20 hours per week.
International students in Canada are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus without a work permit. There is no limit to the number of hours students can work on-campus.
Yes, any work that involves earning wages or collecting a commission counts towards the weekly hour cap.
Yes, any work that involves earning wages or collecting a commission counts towards the weekly hour cap.
Students who violate their work permit conditions may lose their student status, have their visas revoked, and may be asked to leave the country.
