Lana Oconnell
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Students must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization and then apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. Students may also be eligible for off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship, after enrolling in an academic program, and after being in F-1 status for at least one full academic year. On-campus employment is the category most freely permitted by USCIS regulations and does not require USCIS approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student visa type | F-1 or M-1 |
| F-1 visa requirement | Enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program |
| M-1 visa requirement | Enrolled in vocational or other non-academic programs, other than language training |
| F-1 visa off-campus employment | Not allowed during the first academic year |
| M-1 visa off-campus employment | Not mentioned |
| On-campus employment | Allowed for both F-1 and M-1 students |
| Off-campus employment authorization | Ends 1 year after issuance or upon completion of the program |
| Off-campus employment eligibility | Must be related to the student's area of study |
| Social Security Number (SSN) | Required for on-campus employment |
| Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | Issued by USCIS upon approval to work off-campus |
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) | Paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, practicum, or other experience related to the student's field of study |
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | Temporary employment directly related to the student's major area of study; valid for up to 12 months before or after completing studies |
| STEM OPT extension | Available for F-1 students with a degree in certain STEM fields; valid for 24 months |
| Cap-Gap extension | Available for F-1 students with a timely filed H-1B petition and change of status request |
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What You'll Learn
- F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session
- Off-campus work is only permitted after the first academic year
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of off-campus employment that trains students in their field of study
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows students to work in their major area of study for up to one year before or after graduation
- Students can lose their F-1 status and be deported if they work without authorization
F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session
International students in the US with an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during classes and up to 40 hours per week when classes are not in session. This is known as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and is an option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. CPT employment includes "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 your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Prior authorization by your school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required. You must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT). CPT authorization will specify whether you are approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week) employment. While in school, you can only be approved for part-time CPT. Regardless of whether you are approved for full- or part-time CPT, there is no limit to how long you can work. However, if you work full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, you are not eligible for OPT.
There are two types of on-campus employment: work on school premises while employed directly by the I-20 issuing institution, and work on school premises while employed by an on-campus commercial firm. The first type of employment typically includes working as a teaching or research assistant or in the school's cafeteria, library, or within a university department or administrative office. The second type of employment, working for a commercial firm, is more complicated. Commercial firms are common on university campuses because the school finds it cheaper to outsource service units such as the cafeteria and the bookstore rather than operate them directly.
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Off-campus work is only permitted after the first academic year
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree. However, off-campus work is only permitted after the first academic year. Before coming to the US, F-1 students must prove they have the financial ability to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying. This is because work opportunities for F-1 students are limited.
There are a few different options for off-campus employment for F-1 students. One option is Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is an off-campus employment option when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. CPT employment can include internships, 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, the work experience must be required for your degree, or academic credit must be awarded. CPT employment can be paid or unpaid. Prior authorization by your school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required. You must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F-1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT). CPT authorization will specify whether you are approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment. While in school, you can only be approved for part-time CPT. If you work full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, you are not eligible for OPT.
Another option for off-campus employment is OPT, which is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT employment is valid for one year, and students can apply for pre-completion OPT or post-completion OPT. To be eligible, students must have been enrolled for at least one academic year and have active F-1 student status. For post-completion OPT, students can accumulate a maximum of 90 days of unemployment while seeking employment. If you have earned a degree in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, you may apply for a 24-month extension of your post-completion OPT employment authorization.
In cases of severe economic hardship occurring after a student's enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, USCIS will authorize off-campus employment. Severe economic hardship is defined by USCIS as international students being able to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.
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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of off-campus employment that trains students in their field of study
Students must seek guidance and clearance from their International Student Office prior to applying for or accepting any CPT employment. The DSO (Designated School Official) must authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. CPT authorization will specify whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment. While in school, students can only be approved for part-time CPT. However, there is no limit to how long they can work. If a student works full-time on CPT for 12 months or more, they are not eligible for OPT.
To apply for CPT, students must first obtain a job offer and ensure that their employment qualifies as CPT. They must then meet with their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans and obtain an Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. Students must also take the CPT Certification Course and save their CPT Certificate as a PDF. After gathering all the required documents, they can submit their CPT application. Once their CPT application is approved, students must apply for work authorization by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee.
It is important to note that CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States. Additionally, CPT is only available prior to the completion of the degree program and must not delay its completion. Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT, and they must continue to be full-time students when school is in session.
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Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows students to work in their major area of study for up to one year before or after graduation
International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status. OPT is a type of work permission available for eligible F1 students that allows them to gain relevant work experience in their major area of study. Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies. This can be extended for students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
To be eligible for OPT, students must be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at a college or university that is certified to enroll F1 students. Students must also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and receive approval before beginning work. The OPT application process is complex and requires careful attention to dates and regulations. Students must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.
It is important to note that OPT is distinct from Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is another form of off-campus employment for F1 students. 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." CPT employment must be an integral part of the degree program or a requirement for a course for which academic credit is received. While CPT employment is limited to specific employers and dates, OPT allows students to work anywhere in the US and change jobs during their OPT period.
Additionally, students should be mindful that transferring to another school or beginning studies at a higher level will result in the automatic termination of their OPT employment authorization. However, as long as students maintain their F1 status and do not work on a terminated EAD, their student status will not be affected.
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Students can lose their F-1 status and be deported if they work without authorization
International students in the US on an F-1 visa have strict limitations on their right to work. F-1 students are generally only permitted to work on-campus, 'incident to status'. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, F-1 students may be eligible for off-campus employment in cases of severe economic hardship, provided they have been enrolled for at least one full academic year. They may also be eligible for off-campus employment if emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or wars, cause them to suffer severe economic hardship.
F-1 students can also apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is an off-campus employment option when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. To qualify, the work experience must be required for the degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Prior authorization from the school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) are required. CPT authorization is specific to a particular employer and dates, and students must work within these specifications.
It is important to comply with all OPT requirements to avoid an immigration violation. Accruing more than 90 days of unemployment (150 days for STEM OPT) will result in a violation of F-1 status. Additionally, any employment becomes unauthorized as soon as the student falls out of status. If a student works without authorization, they could be found unlawfully present in the US, which would seriously harm their ability to live in, work in, or re-enter the country. Such a violation would also result in the student's accompanying spouse and children losing their right to remain in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international 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 two non-immigrant visa categories for international students: F-1 and M-1. F-1 visas are for full-time students enrolled in an academic program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. M-1 visas are for vocational or other non-academic programs, except for language training.
F-1 visa holders 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: severe economic hardship, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
CPT is Curricular Practical Training, which is practical training that is an integral part of an established curriculum of study in a degree program. CPT authorization is specific to a particular employer and dates and may be approved for part-time or full-time employment.
OPT is Optional Practical Training, which allows international students to work in the US for up to 12 months after completing their degree. Students studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) may be eligible for a STEM OPT extension.
