Lana Oconnell
International students often seek part-time employment to gain professional experience and support their finances. Working during studies is possible in countries like Canada and the US, but strict regulations govern international students' eligibility for off-campus work. In Canada, international students can work off-campus without a permit for up to 24 hours per week under certain conditions, including being a full-time student in the last semester. In the US, international students with F-1 status generally 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 eligibility in the US is limited to specific circumstances, such as Curricular Practical Training, Severe Economic Hardship, or Emergent Circumstances. Understanding these regulations is crucial for international students to maintain their legal status and avoid any adverse consequences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Student Visa Type | F-1 |
| Part-time study | Allowed in the final semester if fewer credits are needed to finish the program |
| Requirements | Prior approval from the Designated School Official (DSO) or International Student Advisor; maintaining full-time enrollment in other semesters |
| Work off-campus | Not allowed |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Not qualified |
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What You'll Learn
Part-time work for international students in Canada
International students in Canada are allowed to work off-campus jobs part-time, up to 24 hours per week, without a work permit as long as they meet other eligibility requirements. To be eligible to work off-campus without a work permit, you must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) in the last semester of your study program, and you don't need a full course load to complete your program. You can only start working in Canada when your study program has started. You can't work before you start your studies. If you're able to work during your studies, it'll say so in the conditions on your study permit.
If your study permit includes the condition that you are not allowed to work off-campus, you can apply to have this condition removed if you are accepted into a full-time study program. There is a fee for changing the conditions of your study permit. You must apply to change the conditions before applying for a SIN, which is required to work in Canada.
If you are working during a break scheduled by your DLI, such as summer and winter holidays, or a reading week, you can work unlimited hours during that break. However, you must be a full-time student both before and after the break to be eligible to work unlimited hours.
As an international student in Canada, it is important to ensure that you are complying with the conditions of your study permit and all provincial laws regarding employment. Working more than 24 hours per week is a violation of your study permit conditions and can result in losing your student status and future permit approvals.
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Part-time study for international students in the US
International students in the US on an F-1 visa are typically required to maintain full-time enrolment, which involves enrolling in a predetermined number of credit hours or courses as defined by their educational institution. Undergraduate students typically need to enrol in at least 12 credits per semester, while graduate students may have a separate full-time requirement, averaging around nine credit hours each semester.
However, it is possible to pursue part-time study in the US as an international student with an F-1 visa in certain circumstances. For example, if you need fewer credits to finish your programme, you may be able to study part-time in your last term, usually the final semester before graduation.
It is crucial to stay in constant contact with your Designated School Official (DSO) during this process. Your DSO will provide the necessary direction to ensure you manage the rules and regulations while preserving your F-1 visa status. You must follow the detailed reporting guidelines established by your DSO and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if your request for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) is approved. These criteria can include submitting the required paperwork and maintaining regular contact with your DSO during your part-time studies.
It is also important to recognise that an RCL is given for a specific timeframe and purpose. You must return to full-time enrolment after this period if you still meet the requirements for one of the permitted categories or apply for a new RCL.
In addition to the F-1 visa, there is also the M-1 visa for international students in the US. The M-1 visa is for vocational students or those enrolled in non-academic programmes, excluding language training.
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F-1 visa requirements for part-time study in the US
To study as a full-time student in the United States, you will generally need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the US: F and M visas. The F-1 visa is for full-time international students pursuing academic studies. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must:
- Be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program.
- Attend a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
- Be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution.
- Be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency.
- Have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study.
- Maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving it up.
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:
- Practical training employment, which requires a recommendation from your designated school official (DSO) and authorization from USCIS.
- On-campus employment for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (full-time during those periods when school is not in session or during the annual vacation).
- Off-campus employment for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, provided it is related to your area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS.
It is important to note that working without authorization can result in serious consequences, including removal from the country and reentry bars. F-1 students must also comply with certain federal laws and regulations when seeking employment in the United States.
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Reduced Course Load (RCL) requests for international students
International students on F-1 status are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the school year. However, there are circumstances in which a reduced course load (RCL) may be authorized.
Firstly, students in their final semester of study who only have a few units remaining to meet their academic program requirements are exempt from the full course load requirement. For example, if you only have 4 units left in your degree program, you are still considered to be "in status" despite only being enrolled in 4 units. Students in this situation must submit the F-1 SEVIS Final Semester Check eForm or the J-1 SEVIS Final Semester Check eForm.
Secondly, students with a temporary health condition may be authorized to take a break from their studies or reduce their course load for the specified semester. To request a medical RCL, students must submit a letter from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist, recommending a reduced course load on the basis of a medical condition. The letter must specify whether the recommendation is for part-time study or no study, and it must be submitted no more than 30 days before the start of the term for which the RCL is requested.
Thirdly, students may apply for an RCL due to academic difficulties during their first semester. To apply, students must submit a letter from an academic advisor recommending a reduced course load on the basis of one of the four academic difficulty reasons specified by immigration regulations.
It is important to note that RCL authorization does not carry over to the next semester, and students must resubmit documentation when requesting a new reduced course load. Additionally, RCLs are not necessary for summer enrollment as there is no enrollment requirement, except for students whose first semester is summer.
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Work permits for international students in Canada
International students in Canada on a valid study permit may be authorised to work off-campus if their school participates in an off-campus work permit program through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Additionally, students in a program that requires work experience, such as a co-op or internship program, can gain work authorisation. Foreign students who have graduated from an academic program in Canada that lasted a minimum of eight months may qualify for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. This permit is generally valid for the same duration as the original study permit.
Spouses of foreign students are also entitled to a Canadian study permit or an open work permit, which does not require a job offer. However, recent changes to the eligibility criteria for spousal work permits have been implemented. Spouses of master's degree students will now only be eligible for work permits if the master's program is 16 months or longer. Furthermore, open spousal work permits will only be available to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or sectors with labour shortages.
Starting November 1, 2024, international students applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) will be subject to new restrictions. Applicants will be required to demonstrate minimum language proficiency in English or French and graduate from an approved program. The approved programs are divided into five categories: agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), trade, and transport.
International students seeking part-time employment in Canada should note that they may require a Canadian-style resume. Part-time jobs can provide income, Canadian work experience, cultural integration, and networking opportunities. These experiences can boost an international student's employability in Canada and help them adjust to life in a new country.
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