Janice Lozano
International students who wish to work in the US must obtain a student visa. The most common types of student visas are F-1 and M-1. F-1 visas are for full-time international students pursuing academic studies, while M-1 visas are for those pursuing vocational studies. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment and, after their first academic year, may be eligible for off-campus employment under certain conditions. To work off-campus, F-1 students must demonstrate an economic hardship that qualifies as an emergent circumstance and receive approval from their Designated School Official (DSO). Both F-1 and M-1 students must ensure that their off-campus employment is related to their area of study and authorized by the DSO and USCIS. Additionally, J-1 exchange visitor visas are available for foreign nationals participating in work-and-study exchange programs as scholars, camp counselors, au pairs, or research assistants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | F-1, M-1, J-1 |
| Who Can Apply | Full-time international students |
| Eligibility Criteria | Enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program at a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program |
| Work Type | On-campus, off-campus, part-time, full-time |
| Work Eligibility | Must be related to the student's area of study and authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) |
| Employment Documents | Form I-20, Form I-765, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) |
| Additional Requirements | Ability to afford living expenses, valid passport, letter of employment |
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What You'll Learn
F-1 Visa (Academic Student)
International students wishing to study in the US will generally need a student visa. The two nonimmigrant visa categories are commonly known as the F and M visas. The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) 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 obtain 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. The school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. You must also be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution, and you must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency. Additionally, you must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire course and maintain a residence abroad with no intention of giving 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. These include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which must be an integral part of the curriculum and directly related to the student's major area of study. CPT authorization specifies whether the student is approved for part-time or full-time employment, and there is no limit to how long a student can work. However, working full-time on CPT for 12 months or more makes the student ineligible for OPT. The second type of off-campus employment is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which F-1 students may be eligible for after graduation. The third type is off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, which is authorized by the USCIS in cases of economic hardship occurring after the student's enrollment, or due to emergent circumstances such as natural disasters or financial crises.
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M-1 Visa (Vocational Student)
The M-1 visa is a type of student visa in the U.S. reserved for international students attending vocational schools and technical schools. This includes students in vocational or other non-academic programs, excluding language training.
To obtain an M-1 visa, a student must present a signed Form I-20 at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. This form is issued by a designated school official once the student has fulfilled the school's admissions requirements and presented proof of financial resources. Applicants must also have a fixed residence outside the U.S. that they intend to maintain and return to after their studies.
M-1 visa applicants must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover all tuition and living costs for the entire period of their intended stay. The visa is typically issued for the estimated length of time required to complete the proposed program of study. Students must be enrolled in a full course of study, which means attending at least 12 semester or quarter hours, or 18 hours per week if the courses consist mostly of classroom study.
It is important to note that M-1 visa holders are not permitted to work during their studies. However, after successfully completing their M-1 studies, they may be approved for a period of paid or unpaid practical training of up to six months. The number of months of work permission is calculated based on the duration of full-time study, with one month of work permission granted for every four months of study.
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On-campus employment
International students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during academic breaks. They can work full-time during holidays and vacations, but only if they intend to return to school the next academic semester. Their employment must not displace a US resident, and it does not have to be related to their field of study. On-campus employment includes work performed directly for the school and on the school's premises. This might include jobs as a teaching or research assistant, or jobs in the university library, dining facilities, laboratories, and administrative offices. On-campus employment also includes work performed for on-location commercial firms that provide services for students on campus, and work performed at an off-campus location that is directly affiliated with the school.
International students can begin the on-campus job search using online job portals, university-specific job platforms, career centres, networking, and job fairs. Most universities have a platform for finding jobs, and other jobs may be found through word of mouth, such as research positions through professors. Some universities have programs that help fund student work, such as research programs, and these are usually advertised via in-house listservs or the university website.
International students should take time to research how student employment works at their specific college or university, as access to on-campus student positions can vary greatly from one campus to another. ISS offices can advise students on applying for a Social Security number, employment benefits and limitations, and U.S. income tax requirements. Their school’s career services office can help with their resume, application, and interview skills. Good preparation is essential before applying because securing on-campus jobs can be competitive.
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Off-campus employment
To be eligible for off-campus employment, F1 students must have completed at least one academic year of their program of study and be in good academic standing. They must also demonstrate that on-campus employment opportunities are unavailable or insufficient to meet their financial needs. Students must seek approval from their Designated School Official (DSO) and receive an updated Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status". With this, they must file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", and pay a fee to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If approved, USCIS will issue Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD), which allows the student to work off-campus. This approval is valid for one year or until the completion of the program, whichever comes first.
There are several categories of off-campus employment for F1 students, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is training in the student's field of study that counts towards academic credit or degree requirements. CPT authorization is specific to a particular employer and set of dates and can be full- or part-time. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another category, which is temporary employment directly related to the student's area of study. Students can also apply for off-campus employment under the Severe Economic Hardship provision if they can demonstrate a severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control, such as natural disasters, wars, or financial crises.
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Employment restrictions
International students in the US on an F1 visa are allowed 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).
F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they 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: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT).
For CPT, F-1 students can only work for a specific employer and for specific dates authorized. 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. There is no limit to how long a student can work with CPT authorization, but if they work full-time for 12 months or more, they are not eligible for OPT.
For OPT, students can work anywhere in the US, but they must first receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). OPT employment must be directly related" to the student's major. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least 9 months, but they cannot begin employment until they receive their EAD. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total – part-time OPT reduces the available full-time OPT by half of the amount of part-time work.
USCIS will authorize off-campus employment for F-1 students only in cases of severe economic hardship occurring after enrollment in an academic program and after the student has been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year, or in emergent circumstances as defined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emergent circumstances include world events such as natural disasters, wars, and international financial crises.
For both F-1 and M-1 students, any off-campus training employment must be related to their area of study and must be authorized by a Designated School Official and USCIS prior to starting work.
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Frequently asked questions
An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to study full-time in the US. Students must be enrolled in an academic program, language-training program, or a vocational program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment and, after the first academic year, may engage in off-campus employment under certain conditions.
An M-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to pursue vocational studies in the US. M-1 students may accept on-campus employment and may be eligible for off-campus employment under certain conditions.
OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an eligible F-1 student's area of study. Students must have a Form I-20 endorsed for OPT and apply to USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
