Lana Oconnell
International students seeking employment in a foreign country must navigate a range of visa and permit requirements. In the United States, international students with F-1 or M-1 visas can seek on-campus employment, which is freely available and does not require USCIS approval. Off-campus employment, however, demands authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS, and is only granted in cases of severe economic hardship. In Canada, international students can apply for work permits, but their studies must remain the primary activity during their stay. Post-Graduation Work Permits allow graduates from Canadian institutions to gain work experience for up to three years after completing their studies.
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What You'll Learn
Understanding work permits and visas
International students seeking employment in a foreign country often need to obtain a work permit or visa. The specific requirements and restrictions vary depending on the country and the student's immigration status. Let's take a closer look at the processes involved in obtaining work authorization in two countries: Canada and the United States.
Canada:
In Canada, a work permit is a written authorization granted to individuals who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, enabling them to work within the country. International students can obtain a work permit through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, allowing them to gain valuable Canadian work experience after graduating from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution. To be eligible, students must have maintained full-time status and have a valid study permit during their studies. The work permit is typically valid for up to three years after graduation. Additionally, international students can work as part of a co-op or internship program, but only if the work is an essential part of their academic or vocational training program offered by a Designated Learning Institution. In such cases, both a co-op work permit and a study permit are required.
United States:
In the United States, international students on F1 visas have several options for employment, including on-campus and off-campus opportunities. On-campus employment is the most freely available option and does not require authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, students often need permission from their school's International Student Office before accepting on-campus employment. Off-campus employment for F1 students is generally restricted to cases of economic hardship or emergent circumstances, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). To apply for off-campus employment, students must first receive approval from their Designated School Official (DSO) and then file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with the USCIS. Students can also pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) during or after their degree, but this requires prior authorization from the USCIS and their school's International Student Office.
The processes for obtaining work permits or visas vary between countries, and it is essential for international students to understand the specific requirements and restrictions of their host country. Students should always consult official government sources and their educational institutions for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a work permit as an international student, you must meet the following requirements:
United States
International students in the United States with a valid F1 visa status are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status during and after the completion of their degree. To be eligible for OPT, you must have been enrolled for at least nine months, and you must receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS before starting work. Additionally, all OPT employment requires prior authorization from USCIS and your school's International Student Office.
On-campus employment is the most freely available option for international students in the United States. It does not require USCIS approval, but you may need permission from your school's International Student Office. Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university bookstore or cafeteria. Active F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. If approved, you will receive a letter of approval from your Designated School Official (DSO), which you can take, along with a letter of approval from your employer, to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
Off-campus employment is only available to F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study and who are experiencing economic hardship. To apply for off-campus employment, you must explain your economic situation and receive approval from your DSO, who will provide you with an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status." You must then file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS within 30 days of receiving your recommendation. If approved, USCIS will send you a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), with the dates you are authorized to work off-campus.
Canada
International students in Canada who want to apply for a work permit can do so through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. This program allows international students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. To be eligible, you must apply within 180 days of receiving your final marks, and your study permit must have been valid at some point during this 180-day period. Additionally, you must have maintained full-time status as a student in Canada during each semester of your study program (except for your final semester, which can be part-time).
To work as part of a co-op or internship program in Canada, you must ensure that the work is an essential part of an academic, professional, or vocational training program offered by a Designated Learning Institution. In this case, you will need a co-op work permit and a study permit. If you are eligible, an open work permit can be issued with the institution listed as the employer.
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Application forms and fees
For international students in Canada, the application form for a work permit is called Guide 5580. Students can apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. This program allows international students who have graduated from a participating Canadian post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Students may work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. To be eligible, you must apply within 180 days after your school issues your final marks, and your study permit must have been valid at some point during these 180 days.
In the United States, international students can apply for work permits under the F-1 or M-1 visa categories. For off-campus employment, students must have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study and have an economic hardship that qualifies for the Department of Homeland Security's emergent circumstances. To apply, students must explain their economic situation and receive approval from their Designated School Official (DSO). The DSO will then provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status." Students must then file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," with USCIS within 30 days of receiving their recommendation. There is a fee for the Form I-765, and students must also apply for a Social Security Number.
For on-campus employment in the United States, F-1 students may apply up to 30 days before the start of classes. Students must talk to their DSO and receive a letter of approval, which they must take, along with a letter of approval from their employer, to apply for a Social Security Number.
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Processing times
United States
In the United States, there are two non-immigrant visa categories for international students: the F-1 Visa (Academic Student) and the M-1 Visa (Vocational Student). To obtain a work permit, international students must follow specific processes, which may include obtaining a Form I-20 "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status" and submitting Form I-765 "Application for Employment Authorization" to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The processing time for these applications can vary, and it is important to submit all the required documentation to avoid delays.
Canada
In Canada, the processing time for a study permit, which is required for international students to work, can take up to 3 months. After graduating, international students have 180 days to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), allowing them to work in Canada for up to three years after graduation. The renewal of a study or work permit does not affect the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). However, it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their TRV remains valid if they wish to re-enter Canada.
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Employment restrictions
United States of America
In the United States, there are specific regulations for international students seeking employment opportunities. The type of visa an international student holds will determine their work eligibility:
- F-1 Visa (Academic Student): F-1 students are generally not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. After the first year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Optional Practical Training (OPT). To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must demonstrate severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or international financial crises. Any off-campus employment must be directly related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- M-1 Visa (Vocational Student): M-1 students can participate in off-campus training employment, but it must be related to their area of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS.
European Countries
European countries, such as those in the European Union (EU), often provide international students with similar employment rights as their citizens. However, non-EU students may face restrictions. Generally, international students with visas can work part-time while studying, but the permitted number of hours varies across countries, and there may be limitations on the types of jobs or the total duration of allowed work.
It is important to note that employment regulations can change, and it is always advisable to refer to the official government sources for the most up-to-date information.
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Frequently asked questions
A work permit is a written authorization for international students to work in a country where they are not citizens or permanent residents.
To apply for a work permit in the US, you must first obtain F1 immigration status. You can then apply for on-campus employment, which is the most freely available option. For off-campus employment, you must complete at least one full academic year of your program and demonstrate an economic hardship that qualifies as an emergent circumstance. You must then receive approval from your Designated School Official (DSO) and file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", with USCIS.
To apply for a work permit in Canada, you must pay the biometrics fee and wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). You will then need to book an appointment and visit an official biometric collection location. You can apply for a work permit under a co-op or internship program, but you must have a valid study permit and your employment must be essential to your academic program.
When submitting photos as part of your application, ensure that they are unmounted and unretouched. This means that the photos must not be edited or digitally enhanced. Submitting retouched images may delay your application and may require you to appear at an Applicant Support Center to verify your identity.
