
On Campus Employment
- While school is in regular session, the student cannot work more than 20 hours per week, although during extended holidays, breaks, and summer sessions, the student may work full time (up to 40 hours per week). ...
- While the work must be “on campus”, USCIS regulations allow work at some off-campus locations. ...
Can you work part time with an US student visa?
Working on a student visa You may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during all scheduled holidays and the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Check your visa conditions
Can you work on a student visa off campus?
The student visa allows international students to work on-campus, off-campus, in paid positions, and unpaid positions. Of course, there are many details students must follow to comply with USCIS regulations. This article covers a list of employment programs for international students in the US.
How early should I apply for the visa?
This is because it can take up to six weeks to get an appointment at the US Embassy for a visa. The answer is - as early as possible. And so it is okay to apply for a visa 4–5 months before the intended day of travel. Most consular officers appreciate this and they may ask you for the reason for applying so early.
Can You expedite a student visa?
You can get your student visa expedited through an expert expediting service. You may find that despite the higher price, it will be convenient for you if you need to get to your destination faster than what a standard visa would grant you. How Do You Get a Student Visa? There are plenty of things you need to do to get a student visa.

Can an international student get a work permit in USA?
Foreign students with F-1 visas interested in applying for work authorization in connection with optional practical training (OPT) may now file their applications online, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced.
How long can you work in the US with a student visa?
Eligible students can receive up to 12 months of OPT employment. There are two types of OPT: Pre-completion OPT: This option is available once you have completed one full academic year at a U.S. college or university.
Can I work in the US on a F-1 visa?
Yes. However, the F-1 student's total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term. The F-1 student may work full-time during those periods when school is not in session or during the student's annual break.
Can international students work full-time in USA?
You must maintain valid F1 status. You can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. You can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods if you intend to register for the next academic semester. The employment may not displace (take a job away from) a U.S. resident.
Can F-1 students apply for Green Card?
One option for students who are in the U.S. on F-1 visas and wish to become Green Card holders is to apply for an EB-1 visa, also known as first-preference employment-based visas.
How much money can international student earn in USA?
But generally — depending on your level of relevant working experience — you can expect to earn between $7.25 to $10 per hour at least, with more highly skilled jobs paying upwards of $10. A perk of on-campus jobs is that they tend to pay in line and are often higher than the minimum wage.
How many years is F1 visa valid for?
For Indian passport holders, F-1 student visas are generally valid for five years from the start date of your programme. However, although your student visa may be valid for five years, your stay in the United States on your student visa is dependent on your status as a student.
What work options do F-1 visa students have?
However, you will have to follow certain F-1 visa rules and restrictions: You can only work part time on campus while your academic term is in session. You can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week. You may be able to work off campus with the approval of your university.
What happens if you work over 20 hours on a student visa?
They can refuse your immigration application, or remove you from the UK, if you work too many hours or if you do work which you are not allowed to do. You might also be barred from returning to the UK for a certain period.
How long can I stay in USA after Masters?
If you apply for OPT after graduation, you can work and train in the US for up to 12 months. Students who have graduated with a STEM-related degree can also request an additional 24 months of OPT.
How can international students survive in USA?
How to Survive in the USA as a StudentMake a Budget for Your Life in the US. ... Develop Your Language Skills. ... Join a Society or Club. ... Immerse Yourself in the Culture. ... Build a Strong Network of Support. ... Familiarize Yourself with Local Laws. ... Make Several Copies of Your Passport and Important Documents.More items...•
How can international students get permanent residency in USA?
An individual may apply for Permanent Residency in the United States through a variety of means, including: sponsorship by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative. an offer of permanent employment. an application for asylum.
Can I work more than 20 hours on a student visa in USA?
Working More Than 20 Hours Per Week During School Prohibited Even when your place of employment is considered on-campus for immigration purposes, you are still limited as to the number of hours you may work. That's 20 hours per week during the school term and 40 hours per week during holiday breaks and vacations.
Can international students work for more than 40 hours?
Remember that you are still not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week, at maximum. However, during school breaks, you are permitted to work 40 hours per week, maximally. The international student is not allowed to take every type of job, as at a motel, gas station, etc.
How many years is F1 visa valid for?
For Indian passport holders, F-1 student visas are generally valid for five years from the start date of your programme. However, although your student visa may be valid for five years, your stay in the United States on your student visa is dependent on your status as a student.
Can international students work more than 40 hours in summer USA?
The USCIS permits full-time employment (21-40 hours per week) during vacation periods and summer for enrolled and continuing students.
What is an F-1 visa?
F-1 visas are granted to full-time students seeking a degree, diploma or certificate and enrolled at an accredited university, college, high school, elementary school, seminary or language training program. The visa is granted for the duration of your studies and you will need to maintain full-time status.
How many hours do you need to be a substitute teacher?
You may apply for either part-time (less than 20 hours) or full-time (more than 20 hours) CPT. The CPT must be directly related to your area of study. For example, a student studying education may need to complete a certain amount of hours working as a teacher at a school. In this case, a student applying as a substitute teacher would qualify ...
How long does it take to get an OPT after graduation?
If applying for OPT after graduation, your application MUST be received by USCIS within 60 days of completing your program (this is not the same as your graduation date). Must not be enrolled in English language program as main course of study.
Is there a fee for studying at StudyUSA?
Your information will be sent directly to the institution. One of our advisors will contact you to assist you through the entire application process. There is no fee for this service.
Does work qualify for CPT?
For example, if your curriculum requires practical work in the form of an internship or work-study opportunity, then this certainly qualifies for CPT. It is best to check with your DSO as every University interpretes CPT policies and at times have their own requirements.
What is an on campus job?
On-campus jobs are student oriented such as working in the library, cafeteria, or student center. Students can gain employment off-campus after completing their first academic year through programs specifically for international students seeking employment such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), Science, Technology, Engineering, ...
Is it expensive to study in the USA?
The cost of studying in the USA can be expensive for international students, and really American students as well. Working while studying can be helpful to reduce the cost of your education and provide you applicable work experience.
Can an international student work in the USA?
The short answer is yes, international students can work in the USA while studying but there are some restrictions. International students who have an F-1 and M-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus and in specified training programs. Students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year.
What do you need to be a recognized international student?
The student must have an internship/employment with a “recognized international organization.” Click here to see a recent listing of all "recognized international organizations."
How many hours can an F1 student work?
Any F1 student suffering "severe economic hardship" as defined by USCIS is eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time during breaks.
What are the four categories of off campus employment?
On-campus employment is the most freely available, and then there are four categories of off-campus employment: On-Campus Employment. Optional Practical Training (OPT) Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
What is an off campus job?
Work performed at an off-campus location which is educationally affiliated with the school. The educational affiliation must be associated with the school's established curriculum or related to contractually funded research projects at the post-graduate level. In any event, the employment must be an integral part of the student's educational program.
How many hours can you work on campus for F1?
For on-campus work, an F1 student is subject to the following rules: You must maintain valid F1 status. You can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. You can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods if you intend to register for the next academic semester.
Can I leave the country after my F1 degree?
One Final Note – Be mindful of the travel regulations governing F1 students on OPT. If you leave the country after completion of your degree, but before receiving your EAD and obtaining a job, you may not be readmitted. You can leave the country after completion of your degree if you have your EAD and a job, but make sure you bring everything that you’ll need to get back in (including valid passport, valid EAD card, valid F1 visa, all your I-20s with page 3 endorsed for travel by your international student advisor within the past 6 months, and a letter of employment, including dates of employment and salary).
Do you have to work closely with an international student?
As with all employment, you should work closely with your International Student Office. The general rules will apply somewhat differently to undergraduates, graduate students and PhD candidates, and they can guide you. The office can help you determine your eligibility for CPT, make sure your job offer qualifies, and make sure you follow all necessary steps in applying to USCIS. They also have to authorize your CPT, so you have no choice – you have to work with them. But they are pros, especially when it comes to USCIS regulations, so use them – they are there to help you.
How to find a job as an international student?
Before you begin the process of finding a job, contact your Designated School Official (DSO). That's the person your school designated to assist international students. If you are already a student, you likely already made contact with your DSO when you arrived. But if you haven't, any school official should be able to point you to the right person or department.
How to apply for off campus employment?
To apply for off-campus employment, contact your Designated School Official (DSO). He or she must approve the reason and recommend off-campus employment as the first part of the application process.
How long can you work in OPT?
Keep in mind that if you participate in both pre-completion and post-completion OPT, the 12-month maximum work period is divided between the two. If you participated in 9 months of pre-completion OPT during your time as a student, you can only participate in 3 months of post-completion OPT after you graduate.
How many hours can you work in OPT?
college or university. You can work up to 20 hours a week when school is in session or full time when it is not.
Can an international student get a job?
During your time as an international student in the U.S., you may decide you want to get a job — whether it's to lighten the load of your tuition, gain some work experience, or just have a little extra pocket money to spend. Keep in mind, though, that as an international student who is in the U.S.
Where to apply for a student visa?
After you receive the Form I-20 and register in SEVIS, you may apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a student (F or M) visa. You must present the Form I-20 to the consular officer when you attend your visa interview.
How far in advance can you get a student visa?
New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.
What happens after a visa interview?
After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this is required.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
What is a B visa?
After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.
What happens if you fail to leave the US on time?
Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.
What is the purpose of a consular interview?
A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.
How many hours can an international student work in the US?
International students who have come to the US to work under this type of visa during their first year of studies can engage to work at the campus of their university for a maximum of 20 hours per week, and 40 hours per week during the breaks.
How many hours can a student work?
The Student can only work part-time (which means no more than 20 hours per week ),
What are the requirements for an international student to get an F-1 visa?
There are some requirements that the international student must fulfill in order to be eligible for the F-1 visa as: to be enrolled in an educational institution in the US which is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, proficient in English, have sufficient funds to support himself / herself during the whole period of studies, etc.
What is on campus employment?
The US Department of Homeland Security defines on-campus employment as “work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is affiliated with the school.”. This means that the students can find work in places inside the university campus, or other facilities that are affiliated with the educational institution they are attending ...
How long does it take to get an employment authorization document?
You must be in good academic standing. You can apply at the USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document, the issuance process of which might take up to 3 months.
What is an F-1 visa?
The F-1 visa is issued to international students who want to attend educational institutions in the U.S. It covers levels from elementary school to university and graduate school, including other degrees. If one of these institutions accepts you, then you apply for the F-1 visa.
How many hours can you work in a week?
Remember that you are still not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week, at maximum. However, during school breaks, you are permitted to work 40 hours per week, maximally.
How to get an interview for a US visa?
For your application to be accepted, you will be interviewed by a consular officer at your local US Embassy or Consulate. You should schedule your appointment as early as you can, as waiting times can vary depending on your country. If you have dependents, you can also schedule an appointment for them to accompany you for your interview.
What are the different types of student visas?
The most common types of student visas are a F-1 visa and a J-1 visa. F-1 and J-1 visas are necessary for different types of programs and have different conditions, requirements, and benefits. This is why it is important to understand each type of US student visa in detail before you apply to study in the US.
What is the form for J-1 student visa?
Certificates of eligibility —When applying for a J-1 student visa, students are required to submit Form DS-2019. This form outlines program details and other important information, including a cost breakdown, start and end dates for your program, and options for financial support. F-1 students are required to submit an I-20 form, which contains the same information.
How long do you have to live in your home country to get a residency?
Meet home residency requirements —Upon completion of your program, you must return to your home country and live there for at least two years.
How long can you work in the US with an F-1 visa?
With a F-1 student visa, students can apply to work for up to 12 months in the US in a related field via Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. For STEM degrees, F-1 students can request two additional years of work in their field.
Do I have to submit an I-20 for F-1?
F-1 students are required to submit an I-20 form, which contains the same information. Post-graduation work and training —J-1 students are eligible for Academic Training (AT) in a field related to their program for up to 18 months after graduation.
Do I have to pay for SEVIS?
Aside from your program fee, there are multiple fees you may need to pay during the application process. One is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee and it must be paid to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Depending on the program or your sponsor, this fee may or may not be a part of your program fee, so be sure to check with your Responsibility Officer.
On-Campus Employment
- The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training.
Off-Campus Employment
Curricular Practical Training
Optional Practical Training