Can an International Student Work in the US?
The cost of attending college in the U.S. is especially high for international students, ranging anywhere from US$32,000 to US$60,000 per year. Since international students don’t qualify for in-state tuition rates or federal financial aid, finding funding and seeking employment while studying for a degree can help cover the expense.
International students can work in the U.S. through an on-campus job or a practical training program. However, work opportunities are generally limited, and you must meet specific requirements to get work authorization.
Working on campus
As a student with F-1 status, you are authorized to work on campus as soon as 30 days before your school program starts. You’ll need to inform your international student office before beginning work to ensure you’ve completed all of the necessary employment steps.
You can work multiple on-campus jobs as long as your total hours worked per week doesn’t exceed 20 hours during active school sessions. The type of work you perform must directly serve students, such as at the on-campus bookstore, cafeteria or library.
If you conclude your program of study but plan on maintaining continuous enrollment into a new program, you may continue working on campus.
However, your eligibility for on-campus employment ends once your academic program ends. International students who want to continue working in the U.S. after graduation can apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) which has other requirements.
Requirements for international students working in the U.S.
- Have a valid F-1 visa.
- Be active in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- File U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) forms.
- Must have approval from the USCIS.
- Report work and get a certification letter to obtain a Social Security number.
Restrictions for international students working in the U.S.
- Work must be conducted on the school campus or educationally affiliated off-campus site, and the company must be contracted with the school.
- You can work up to 20 hours of work per week when school is in session.
- Full-time hours per week are allowed during vacation and holidays.
- The type of work must involve service to students on campus.
- Your employment can’t displace a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
Generally, off-campus employment isn’t available to F-1 students, the USCIS offers rare exceptions on a case-by-case basis. An off-campus employment exception might be made if you experience severe economic hardship at least one full academic year into your program.
Authorization might also be offered if you experience an emergent circumstance that impacts your study (for example, a natural disaster, military conflict or national financial crisis).
Optional Practical Training
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of training students with F-1 visas can temporarily acquire that involves hands-on work experience in their area of study. It’s your responsibility to describe how the training role you’re seeking relates to your area of study. Also, you must provide details about the opportunity like the job title, employer, employment status, area of study and anticipated weekly hours.
Students can apply for pre- or post-completion OPT which lets you work for up to 12 months in a job that relates to your major either before or immediately after completing your academic program.
Your designated school official must recommend this employment option for you in SEVIS; however, you’ll need to get work authorization from USCIS on your own.
If your work authorization is approved, you can start OPT work after receiving your USCIS Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Requirements for OPT
- Have been a full-time student for at least one year.
- Attend a SEVP-certified institution.
- Not studying ESL.
- Opportunity must be aligned with your major or area of study.
- Receive I-20 form with OPT recommendation from your designated school official.
- Submit Form I-765 to USCIS for work authorization.
- Haven’t participated in full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for 12 months or longer.
Restrictions for OPT
- Up to 20 hours of work per week during active school sessions; post-completion OPT participants can work part- or full-time.
- Up to full-time hours during vacation and holidays for pre-completion OPT.
- Maximum of 12 months of OPT allowed per degree level.
- Can’t start work until you receive an EAD from USCIS.
Technically, you can request pre-completion training, and then request post-completion OPT at the same degree level. However, your total time during post-completion is reduced according to the amount you worked during pre-completion.
STEM Optional Practical Training Extension
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) OPT extension offers an extra 24 months of real-world experience. OPT students who have received their STEM degree from an actively accredited SEVP-certified school.
Your employer must use the E-Verify program and provide a completed, signed training plan for STEM OPT Students form to the student’s DSO. A similar process as on-campus employment applies. Your DSO must give you a Form 1-20 recommending you for the STEM OPT extension. Then, you’ll need to file for work authorization with the USCIS.
During the STEM OPT extension process, you can continue working up to 180 days with an expired OPT EAD. However, after this grace period, you’ll either need to have secured approval for your petition, or stop your OPT, if not approved.
Curricular Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work-study or co-op education opportunity that is required by your academic program. The employer offering CPT must have an active agreement with your institution.
Requirements for Curricular Practical Training
- Must have been an F-1 visa student for at least one year.
- Enrolled at a SEVP-certified school or be a graduate student.
- CPT opportunity must be a part of a degree program’s required curriculum.
- Employer must be contracted with your school, and provide a signed agreement or letter for your CPT.
Restrictions for Curricular Practical Training
- Must be approved and recommended in SEVIS by your DSO.
- No 20-hour per week restriction; part- or full-time allowed.
- Up to 12 months of total full-time participation time in CPT.
Depending on how much you work in each program, you might be able to apply for both OPT and CPT work opportunities. However, if you’ve already worked full-time through CPT, you are not eligible for OPT.
Finding employment while you study in the U.S.
Although working while you study in the U.S. is restricted, it’s not impossible. Ensure your employer and job fits USCIS criteria for F-1 visa students, and you report your employment details and hours.
Your campus international student office can help you find eligible employment opportunities, and guide you through the required paperwork.
