Douglas Olsen
International students in the United States on F1 visas have several options for employment, but strict rules govern how many hours they can work and what kind of work they can accept. Students who fail to comply with these rules risk losing their F1 status and being forced to leave the country. This article will explore the guidelines that determine how universities track F1 student working hours to ensure compliance with immigration regulations. It will also discuss the consequences of working more hours than permitted and the steps students must take to maintain their F1 status while working in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maximum working hours during school term | 20 hours per week |
| Maximum working hours during breaks | 40 hours per week |
| Work location | On-campus or off-campus at an educationally affiliated organization |
| Type of work | Any qualifying job that does not displace a U.S. citizen or LPR |
| Eligibility | Enrolled full-time, valid F-1 status, and Social Security Number |
| Reporting | DSO must be informed of any changes in employer and hours |
| Unauthorized employment | May result in termination of SEVIS record and leaving the U.S. |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus employment
F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. If approved, they will receive a letter of approval from their DSO and their employer, which they can then take to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). All students who wish to work on campus must apply for an SSN.
F-1 students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week when it is not. Students who work more than 20 hours a week during term time may be in violation of their F-1 status and could risk losing their visa. Students who are concerned about whether their employment is on or off-campus should consult with an immigration attorney through Student Legal Services.
Graduate students with a teaching or research assistantship can meet the 20-hour-per-week limit for on-campus employment. If they wish to take on additional employment, they must consult their primary ISS adviser about further work authorization.
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Off-campus employment
To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study and be experiencing "unforeseen" financial difficulties or severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control. To apply, students must explain their economic hardship situation and receive approval from their Designated School Official (DSO). If approved, the DSO will provide an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status".
Once the student has the new Form I-20, they must file a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", with USCIS within 30 days of receiving their recommendation. If approved, USCIS will send a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), specifying the dates the student is permitted to work off-campus. Students must not begin working while the Form I-765 is pending with USCIS.
There are two types of off-campus employment that F-1 students may engage in: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is training in the student's field of study, for which they will receive academic credit or fulfill a degree requirement. CPT can be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study. OPT allows students to work in areas related to their major for up to one year before or after graduation.
Students must not work beyond the employment date on their EAD and must comply with all relevant immigration regulations. Working without proper authorization is a serious violation of F-1 student status and may result in the loss of F-1 status or visa revocation.
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Severe economic hardship
F-1 students are generally only allowed to work on-campus, and even then, they are restricted to 20 hours per week during the school term. However, in cases of severe economic hardship, they may be granted authorization to work off-campus.
To qualify for off-campus work authorization, F-1 students must meet several criteria. Firstly, they must have completed at least one academic year of full-time study and be in good academic standing. Secondly, they must demonstrate that they are experiencing severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include unexpected medical or dental bills, sudden changes in currency exchange rates, unexpected financial loss suffered by the student's parent or financial sponsor, and unexpected loss of on-campus employment. It is important to note that economic hardship that could have been expected or planned for is not considered unforeseen.
To apply for off-campus work authorization due to severe economic hardship, F-1 students must submit an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application process is complex and can take up to 6 months for processing. Approval is not guaranteed, and students must provide strong evidence and documentation to support their claim of severe economic hardship. Students are advised to meet with their international student advisor to review their situation and receive guidance on the application process.
If approved for off-campus work authorization, F-1 students are restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school term. However, full-time employment over 20 hours per week is permitted during the summer vacation and winter break. It is important to note that F-1 students must receive employment authorization from USCIS before accepting any off-campus job offers.
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Social Security Number
A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit employee identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). It is required by the U.S. government for tax and employment reporting purposes. Students in F-1 status are eligible for a Social Security Number. However, simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S.
F-1 students must provide evidence of lawful employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). To apply for an SSN, F-1 students must wait 2-3 weeks after arriving in the U.S. and need two letters: an on-campus employment letter from their hiring department and an SSN Support letter. They must then submit a Social Security Letter Request to the OISS and complete the social security application online.
The Social Security Administration will mail the student their number and card once all their immigration information has been verified, which can take 2-4 weeks or more. F-1 students can start working without an SSN as long as their employer follows the correct instructions. However, they must apply for an SSN as soon as possible after getting their job offer.
F-1 students must report their work and receive a certification letter to present to the Social Security Administration to receive an SSN. This is to certify that the job qualifies as on-campus employment and that the student is in F-1 status. DSOs should keep a copy of the letter to the Social Security Administration and terminate the student's SEVIS record if they engage in unauthorized employment or work hours in excess of those allowed.
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F-1 Visa Limitations
The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to study in the US. It is the most popular type of student visa for those seeking to study at a US university or college. To obtain an F-1 visa, students must meet several requirements, including being enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university, demonstrating English language proficiency, and proving they have sufficient funds to finance their studies and living expenses.
F-1 visa students are subject to strict limitations regarding employment. They may only work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the school term and up to 40 hours per week during breaks. To work on campus, F-1 students must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) and ensure that their job does not displace a US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). Off-campus employment is generally not allowed during the first academic year. After the first year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Severe Economic Hardship Employment, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). To work off-campus, F-1 students must obtain authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the loss of F-1 status and revocation of the visa.
Universities track F-1 student working hours by requiring students to report their work hours and any changes in employment to the DSO. The DSO is responsible for keeping records of the student's employment information, including letters from employers detailing the type of work, affiliation with the school, and the number of hours worked per week. This information is used to ensure compliance with F-1 visa regulations and to certify the student's eligibility for on-campus employment. Students are advised to stay below the 20-hour weekly limit to avoid any issues with their visa status.
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Frequently asked questions
F1 students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on-campus when school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during breaks.
Students who work more than 20 hours per week on-campus are violating their F1 Visa Limitations and their SEVIS record may be terminated. However, some students have reported that they faced no repercussions for exceeding the limit by a small amount.
F1 students can apply for any qualifying on-campus job that does not displace a US citizen or LPR. Examples of on-campus jobs include working at a university bookstore or cafeteria.
Off-campus employment must be related to the student's area of study and must be authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) prior to starting work. F1 students can also work for a "recognized international organization" such as the Red Cross or the World Health Organization.
