Lori Meadows
International students can work in the USA with the proper work permit. Most international students in the United States hold an F1 visa, which is the U.S. non-immigrant student visa. F1 students are allowed to work in the United States, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution. F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa type | F-1 Visa (Academic Student), M-1 Visa (Vocational Student) |
| Student status | Full-time student enrolled in an accredited academic institution |
| School accreditation | School must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program and authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students |
| Language proficiency | Must be proficient in English or enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency |
| Financial requirements | Must have sufficient funds to support oneself during the course of study |
| Work authorization | On-campus employment is generally more freely available for F-1 students; off-campus employment may be permitted after the first academic year and must be related to the student's area of study |
| Social Security Number | All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number |
| Work permit process | Can begin nine months after enrollment by applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT); employment cannot begin until receiving an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS |
| Maintaining visa status | Proactive maintenance of visa status is important; failure to do so may impact future work permit applications |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding F-1 and M-1 visas
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will generally need a student visa. The two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the US are the F and M visas. The F-1 Visa is for academic students and allows you to enter the US as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or in a language training program. To qualify for an F-1 Visa, you must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and your school must be authorized by the US government to accept foreign students. You must also be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
The M-1 visa, on the other hand, is for vocational students and includes students in vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training. To qualify for an M-1 visa, you must meet similar English proficiency requirements as the F-1 visa and be enrolled as a full-time student at an institution approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program.
For both F-1 and M-1 visas, you must have sufficient funds available for self-support during your entire proposed course of study and maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving up. Additionally, F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension. M-1 students may only engage in practical training after they have completed their studies, and any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official and USCIS.
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On-campus employment
There are two types of limits on the employment:
- The work must take place either at your school or at an educationally affiliated off-campus location (associated with the school's curriculum or part of contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level).
- On-campus employment must not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR).
F1 students have three main guidelines to follow for on-campus employment:
- They may work at any qualifying on-campus job that does not displace a US citizen or LPR.
- They may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (full-time during holidays and annual vacation).
- They should report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive a Social Security Number (SSN).
Students must also ensure they have permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment, and may not be permitted to do so in their first semester or year.
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Off-campus employment
One option for F-1 students seeking off-campus employment is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to gain hands-on experience in their major field of study. To be eligible for OPT, students must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and have been enrolled for at least one year. The OPT process can begin nine months after enrolment, and students do not need a job offer to apply for an EAD. It's important to note that OPT employment can occur anywhere in the US, but it must be related to the student's area of study.
Another option for F-1 students seeking off-campus employment is the STEM OPT extension, which is available for students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields. This extension allows students to stay in the US legally after graduation and gain valuable work experience.
In special circumstances, such as economic hardship or unforeseen events like natural disasters or financial crises, F-1 students may be eligible for off-campus employment authorization by demonstrating their inability to continue their education without off-campus work. This authorization typically lasts for one year or until the completion of the student's program, whichever comes first.
International students should carefully review the regulations and requirements for off-campus employment in their host country and consult with their school's international student services or a qualified advisor to ensure they comply with all necessary procedures.
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Emergent circumstances
In the case of emergent circumstances, certain regulatory requirements may be suspended for affected students, which is known as Special Student Relief (SSR). This relief allows for the suspension of requirements related to on-campus and off-campus employment, duration of status, and full course of study. To qualify for SSR, students must demonstrate that the emergent circumstance has directly resulted in severe economic hardship. This can include a loss of financial aid or on-campus employment, unexpected medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.
To seek Special Student Relief, international students should first contact their Designated School Official (DSO), who can guide them through the process. The DSO will verify that the student qualifies for off-campus employment by entering the employment information into the SEVIS system. Students will then need to file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is important to note that off-campus employment recommendations during SSR cannot exceed one year and are based on the specific circumstances outlined in the Federal Register notice.
Additionally, F-1 students seeking off-campus employment due to emergent circumstances must demonstrate that the extra work is necessary to support their source of income. The DSO will endorse the student's Form I-20, referencing the Federal Register notice that announced the emergency exception, before allowing the student to work more than 20 hours per week.
It is important to note that on-campus employment is generally the most freely available option for F-1 students, and it does not require prior USCIS approval. However, opportunities for on-campus employment may be limited, and students should first demonstrate that on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs before seeking off-campus employment.
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Applying for a Social Security Number
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) as an international student in the US, you must first obtain valid employment authorization. Only nonimmigrant students with permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work can apply for an SSN.
If you are an F-1 student, you must provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT). You must also be enrolled in an academic program, a language-training program, or a vocational program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program. You may accept on-campus employment, but you may not work off-campus during your first academic year. After your first year, you may engage in off-campus employment, provided it is related to your area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
If you are a J-1 student, you must show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study. If you are under the sponsorship of an external organization, you should obtain a Social Security letter from your sponsor.
Once you have obtained employment authorization, you can apply for an SSN in person at a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. You will need to bring the following documents:
- ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter
- I-94 card, or a copy of your J-1 admission stamp in your passport and a printout of your electronic I-94 information
- Employment offer letter from your department/hiring office
- Documentation for employment authorization from your ISS adviser or sponsoring agency
You can complete the social security application online and then visit your local SSA office to show them your documents in person. You should apply no earlier than 30 days before your scheduled employment start date.
After submitting your application, your documents will be reviewed by an SSA examiner. Once your application is accepted, ask for an application receipt to show your employer that you have applied for an SSN. You can expect to receive your SSN within 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary. The Social Security Administration will mail your number and card as soon as all of your immigration information has been verified, which can take 2-4 weeks or more.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a student visa, either F or M visa. F-1 visas are for academic students enrolled in a program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. M-1 visas are for vocational students.
Yes, 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).
There are several categories of employment available to F-1 visa holders. On-campus employment is the most freely available and does not require USCIS approval. There are four categories of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), emergent circumstances, and STEM OPT.
You must obtain permission from the International Student Office prior to accepting any on-campus employment. You can then work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and full-time during holidays and vacation periods.
You must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization and then work with your Designated School Official (DSO) to apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS.
