Savanna Hoffman
International students often seek employment to gain valuable skills and pay for daily expenses. In the US, international students on F-1 visas are permitted to work, but must adhere to strict guidelines and eligibility requirements. Students in their first academic year are generally limited to on-campus employment, while off-campus employment options become available in subsequent years, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Understanding these visa categories and work authorizations is crucial for employers seeking to hire international students, ensuring compliance with regulations and providing valuable opportunities for students to gain work experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student) or M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Work authorization | CPT, OPT, STEM OPT |
| Work hours | On-campus employment: up to 20 hours per week during classes, up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session |
| Off-campus employment | Only after the first academic year and must be related to the area of study |
| Social Security Number (SSN) | Required for both on-campus and off-campus employment |
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What You'll Learn
Visa requirements for international students
To study in the United States as an international student, you must obtain a student visa. The type of visa you need depends on your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend. The most common types of student visas are F-1 and M-1 visas.
F-1 visas are for full-time international students pursuing academic studies. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students.
M-1 visas, on the other hand, are for full-time international students pursuing vocational studies or other non-academic programs, excluding language training. Similar to the F-1 visa requirements, your school must be SEVP-approved.
To obtain an F-1 or M-1 visa, you must first apply to an SEVP-approved school in the United States. If the school accepts your enrollment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The school will then issue you a Form I-20, which is required when you attend your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
During the visa interview, you must provide proof of your ability to cover all educational, living, and travel costs, as well as confirm your intention to return to your home country after completing your studies. It is recommended to bring academic records, standardized test scores, and evidence of your intent to depart the United States.
It is important to note that wait times for visa interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category. Therefore, it is advisable to apply for your visa early. For new students, F-1 and M-1 visas can be issued up to 365 days before the start date of the course, but entry into the United States is permitted no earlier than 30 days before the start date.
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Work authorisation
International students in the UK, US, and Canada can work in the country while studying, but they must adhere to specific rules and regulations. These regulations often depend on the type of visa the student holds and the nature of the employment.
In the UK, international students can work part-time and full-time during vacation periods. However, they cannot be self-employed or freelance, and they cannot set up their own business. The number of hours they can work part-time is also restricted, with a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time.
In the US, international students with an F1 visa can work, but only under certain conditions set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). On-campus employment is the most freely available option, while off-campus employment falls into four categories: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), severe economic hardship, and employment with a "recognised international organisation". 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". To qualify for CPT, the work experience must be required for the student's degree, or academic credit must be awarded. OPT, meanwhile, requires prior authorisation from the USCIS and the student's school International Student Office. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least nine months, but they cannot begin employment until they have enrolled for at least a year.
In Canada, international students can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).
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On-campus vs off-campus employment
International students in the United States typically hold an F1 visa, which is a non-immigrant student visa. F1 students are permitted to work in the US, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
On-campus employment is the most freely available option for F1 visa holders. This type of work must take place either at the school or at an educationally affiliated location, such as a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. For example, an F1 student can work for a food service company contracted by the school, but only at the school's facilities. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year and can be full-time during breaks and summer vacation.
Off-campus employment for F1 students is subject to stricter requirements and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting work. Off-campus work must be related to the student's area of study and is generally only authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or financial crises. After the first academic year, F1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and economic hardship employment. CPT and OPT are forms of temporary work directly related to the student's major area of study, while economic hardship employment is authorized by USCIS in cases of financial difficulty.
To apply for CPT, students must have an offer of employment and can then submit an online application to the sponsoring school. OPT can be applied for after being enrolled for at least 9 months, and students must have their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before starting work. Full-time CPT for 12 months or more will result in a loss of OPT benefits after graduation. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time and can be extended for an additional 17 months in certain cases.
In summary, on-campus employment is more readily available for F1 visa holders, while off-campus employment is subject to stricter requirements and authorizations. Off-campus work must be related to the student's area of study and is typically authorized in cases of financial hardship or practical training related to their major.
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Social Security Number application
International students in the United States are typically enrolled in academic programs under one of two non-immigrant student immigration statuses: F-1 or J-1. F-1 students are allowed to work in the US, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), international students must first obtain valid employment authorization. This can be done through on-campus employment, which does not require USCIS approval, or off-campus employment, which must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
- Obtain evidence of employment and valid F-1 employment authorization. For on-campus employment, obtain a letter from your institution confirming that you have been offered an on-campus job. This letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed by your hiring department, and include your job title and other relevant information.
- Submit a Social Security Letter Request to your institution's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) via TC-Compass. If your employment is based on off-campus training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment, you will need to obtain a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card from the USCIS.
- Visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website at www.ssa.gov/number-card or www.ssa.gov/ssnumber to begin the online application process.
- Schedule an appointment at your local SSA office, where you will need to present your original, current proof of age, identity, and lawful resident status within 45 days of your online submission.
- Obtain an employment verification letter from your institution. This letter should cover your type of employment (on-campus, CPT, or OPT).
- Receive your SSN. Typically, it takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN, so be sure to initiate the application process well before your intended job start date.
Please note that while you can start working without an SSN, your employer can use a letter stating that you have applied for one. Your immigration documents can prove your authorization to work in the US.
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Severe Economic Hardship Employment
International students in the United States on F-1 visas are permitted to work off-campus in cases of severe economic hardship. This is available to students who can demonstrate that new, unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created a severe economic hardship.
To qualify for off-campus employment under these circumstances, students must show that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. This may include situations where there is a loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition or living costs, or unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support.
To apply for off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, students must first receive a recommendation from their Designated School Official (DSO), who will verify that the student qualifies for off-campus employment by entering the employment information into SEVIS. The student must then submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The fee for filing Form I-765 is $470 if filed online and $520 if filed by paper. USCIS will review each case individually and make a decision based on the information provided.
It is important to note that off-campus employment authorization due to severe economic hardship is typically granted for up to one year, unless otherwise specified by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Additionally, students must have maintained F-1 status for at least one full academic year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for off-campus employment.
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Frequently asked questions
An international student needs to have a valid F-1 visa to be eligible to work in the US.
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year. After their first academic year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT).
CPT may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. CPT can be full-time or part-time, depending on the institution's CPT policy.
OPT is work authorization that allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status.
