Lana Oconnell
International students in the US on F1 visas are allowed to work on the campus of their university for up to 20 hours a week. Students can work full-time during breaks and after completing their studies. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment, but this requires authorization and is dependent on economic hardship. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus employment that gives students actual experience in their major and can be full-time with no hourly limit each week. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another option for F-1 students, allowing for up to 12 months of full-time employment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Work type | On-campus or off-campus |
| On-campus work hours | Up to 20 hours per week when school is in session, full-time during school breaks |
| Off-campus work eligibility | After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus work. M-1 students may engage in practical training only after they have completed their studies. |
| Off-campus work requirements | 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. |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Pre-completion OPT allows for up to 20 hours of work per week; post-completion OPT allows for both full-time and part-time hours. |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | F-1 students can engage in CPT after the first academic year. CPT can be full-time with no hourly limit each week. |
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What You'll Learn
- On-campus work: 20 hours per week, multiple jobs allowed, no USCIS approval needed
- Off-campus work: F-1 students only, after one academic year, economic hardship requirement
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): after first academic year, full-time, no hourly limit
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months full-time, 20 hours part-time, post-graduation allowed
- Employment Authorisation Document (EAD): work anywhere in the US, F-1 visa required
On-campus work: 20 hours per week, multiple jobs allowed, no USCIS approval needed
International students in the US with an F1 visa are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week when school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. This is the most freely available form of employment for international students, and it does not require USCIS approval.
On-campus work is a great way for international students to gain work experience and earn money to put towards tuition or living expenses. However, it is important to note that the availability of on-campus jobs varies across schools, and they may not be related to your studies. Additionally, international students are not usually permitted to work on campus during their first semester or year.
Students must be in good academic standing and have a valid US student visa to work on campus. They can work multiple jobs, but the combined hours cannot exceed 20 per week.
It is important to comply with the terms and restrictions of your F1 visa and work authorization to avoid any legal issues. Working illegally can result in losing your student status and even deportation.
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Off-campus work: F-1 students only, after one academic year, economic hardship requirement
International students in the US on an F-1 visa can enter the country as full-time students at accredited colleges, universities, or other academic institutions and training programs. F-1 students can work both on and off campus, but the rules and requirements of the visa must be carefully followed to avoid legal issues.
On-campus employment is the most freely available option, but opportunities are limited at most schools. Students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session, and full-time when school is out of session. They may work in more than one on-campus job, but the combined hours must not exceed 20 per week.
After one academic year, F-1 students are eligible for off-campus work, but only in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances. Emergent circumstances are unforeseen world events that affect a specific group of F-1 students, such as natural disasters, wars, military conflicts, or financial crises. Severe economic hardship is a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control that makes it difficult to continue their education. This could include the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of currency, unexpected changes in the financial state of the student's source of support, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
To qualify for off-campus employment, students must demonstrate why on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. A designated school official (DSO) must verify that the student qualifies for off-campus employment by entering the employment information into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The DSO should ensure that the student has read and understands the guidelines for off-campus employment. The student must then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with a fee and supporting documents, and pay a fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will then make a case-by-case decision on whether to authorize off-campus employment. If approved, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document," and a letter notifying them of the decision. Off-campus employment authorization is typically granted for up to 1 year, after which the student must reapply.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT): after first academic year, full-time, no hourly limit
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time when school is out of session. After completing their first academic year, F-1 students can undertake Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is a type of work authorization that allows them to gain practical experience in their major through internships, co-ops, or practicums. CPT is meant to be an integral part of the student's degree program and can be full-time with no hourly limit each week.
CPT is a valuable option for international students as it provides the opportunity to gain relevant work experience and earn money to support their education. It is important to note that CPT does not interfere with students' eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, as long as the total duration of full-time CPT is less than 12 months. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time, and part-time OPT reduces the available full-time OPT by half.
To be eligible for CPT, students must maintain their F-1 status, be enrolled full-time for the semester they wish to pursue CPT (except during their final semester), and successfully complete all internship courses. Students must work closely with their International Student Office to determine their eligibility for CPT and ensure they follow the necessary steps in applying to USCIS.
While CPT offers flexibility in terms of work hours, it is crucial to carefully follow the rules and requirements of the F-1 visa to avoid any legal issues. Additionally, students should be aware that CPT is intended for academic purposes and must be a required part of their school's curriculum related to their major of study.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months full-time, 20 hours part-time, post-graduation allowed
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work for up to 12 months full-time in total under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This is a type of temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.
Students can apply for OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT. For example, if a student works part-time for 6 months, they can work full-time for up to 9 months post-completion. Pre-completion OPT allows for up to 20 hours of work per week, while post-completion OPT allows for both full-time and part-time hours.
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. Students can file for OPT up to 90 days before the program end date and no later than 60 days after the program end date.
It is important to note that OPT employment must be a minimum of 20 hours per week, and employment authorization will be terminated if a student fails to maintain valid F1 status.
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Employment Authorisation Document (EAD): work anywhere in the US, F-1 visa required
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work, but there are several conditions and restrictions. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment, subject to certain conditions. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, but students can work full-time during breaks.
After the first academic year, F-1 students may seek off-campus employment through a variety of programs, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a required part of a school's curriculum, relating to the student's major, and can be full-time with no hourly limit. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total, with part-time OPT reducing the available full-time OPT by half.
To work off-campus, F-1 students must generally show an ability to afford school and living expenses and should not plan to work off-campus. However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will authorize off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment, provided the student has been in F-1 status for at least one academic year.
To work in the US, international students must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with the help of their International Student Office. While a job offer is not needed to apply for the EAD, several forms, documents, fees, and photos are required, and processing can take up to 12 weeks. Once the EAD is obtained, students may work for any employer, anywhere in the US, but employment authorization is terminated if the student fails to maintain valid F1 status.
F-1 students can also seek employment with a "recognized international organization," such as the Red Cross or World Health Organization. To qualify, the organization must be on the official State Department list.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US with an F1 visa are allowed to work on campus for up to 20 hours a week. During school breaks, they can work full-time (up to 40 hours per week).
To get an F1 visa, you must be enrolled in an academic program at a US college or university that is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. You must also be enrolled as a full-time student, be proficient in English, have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies, and maintain a residence abroad.
On-campus employment is the most freely available option for international students in the USA. After the first academic year, F-1 students can also do off-campus work through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT is Curricular Practical Training, which is a required part of your school's curriculum and relates to your major. It can be full-time with no hourly limit each week.
