
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.

Are international students legally allowed to work in the US?
Answer: Yes. As an international student on an F-1 visa, you have work authorization through CPT and OPT. Also, students on other visas typically have work authorization as well.
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.
Does an F-1 visa allow you to work?
International students in the U.S. in valid F1 immigration status are permitted to work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) status both during and after completion of their degree.
Can F1 visa students apply for Green Card?
Foreign students with F-1 visas may also receive Green Cards when they marry U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
How can I change my F1 visa to Green Card?
You'll need to complete Form I-485, the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status,” or the green card application. If USCIS approves your Form I-485, they will mail you your green card. The entire process usually takes USCIS about 29-38 months after they have received your Form I-130.
Is it hard to get F1 visa?
The F1 Visa is an easy enough visa to apply for, however, it is a very lengthy process and it can throw-up all sorts of complications, the best thing for you to do, is to be honest in your application, make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork and as with everything in life, don't lie, especially when you' ...
How long can you stay on F1 visa?
for 60 daysOn your F-1 visa, you can only stay in the United States for 60 days after your graduation date, so it's in your best interests to start planning for your course of action well before you graduate. In this article, we'll explain seven options to extend your stay in the United States after you graduate.
Can you get paid on a student visa?
When studying on an F1 student visa, your ways to earn money are: Working on campus. Applying for CPT. Applying for pre-completion OPT.
How long can I work in US 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.
Can international students work 40 hours in summer?
Yes, during the summer term. Full-time employment is defined by USCIS as employment for more than 20 hours per week.
How long can an international student stay in the US after graduation?
for 60 daysOn your F-1 visa, you can only stay in the United States for 60 days after your graduation date, so it's in your best interests to start planning for your course of action well before you graduate. In this article, we'll explain seven options to extend your stay in the United States after you graduate.
How long does a student visa last?
How long ist an F-1 visa valid? An F-1 visa is issued for up to 5 years. However, the residence status in the Unitd States is valid for the entire duration of the study and is noted on the I-20 form.
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 ...
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 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.
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.
What are the two types of jobs that students can take?
There are two main types of jobs a student can take: on-campus and off-campus. The second one doesn’t usually work for international students coming to study in the US, but we will discuss the requirements and restrictions for each type.
How many hours can an F1 student work in the US?
Students with F1 visas are generally allowed to work on the campus of their university for up to 20 hours a week.
What is on campus employment?
On-campus employment is defined as work that takes place on campus, or at an off-campus location that is affiliated with the school. That could mean working in a university bookstore, cafeteria or other facilities where students can help.
Can international students work in the US?
As you can see, there are work opportunities for international students in the US, but you need to make sure you follow all the rules and always check things out with your DSO. For more information about studying abroad in the US, register to attend the next free #StudyinUSA Virtual Fair and connect with US universities from your own home.
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.
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.
How many years do you have to work to get an off campus job?
You will need to document the economic circumstances that warrant the off-campus employment request. For some universities, you must have completed one academic year to be eligible for off-campus employment. It is always advisable that you have worked on-campus before applying for off campus.
What is an AT visa?
Academic Training (AT) is another J-1 visa employment opportunity. It is a program designed to give international students practical experience in their field of study. The rules surrounding AT vary from school to school, so be sure to ask the program contact for your school.
Why is it important to pick up a J-1 visa?
This is why it is advisable to pick up J-1 visa employment that will give you a learning experience and valuable skills in your field of study.
How many semesters do you need to study for AT?
Most universities require the completion of at least one semester of your study before engaging in AT.
Do international students need to take tests?
Some on-campus employment like teaching assistantship might require international students to take some tests for which you will need to prepare.
Is on campus employment restricted to school?
Though it is called on-campus employment, the job location is not restricted to the school campus. On-campus employment may sometimes be at a location outside the school if the employer is educationally affiliated with your school or your research project or academic program.
Can a J-1 Student Work As Volunteer?
However, you must be sure you can distinguish between unpaid labor and volunteering. Volunteering in the U.S. as a foreign national can be complex and has requirements as laid down by the U.S. Department of Labor. Before you work as a volunteer, make sure you are aware of the regulations guiding the specific volunteering role you want to offer to avoid violating labor and immigration laws. Violating these regulations could result in penalties for you and the organization for unauthorized J-1 visa employment.
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.
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.
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.
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 F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States 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. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma...
Off-Campus Employment
Curricular Practical Training
Optional Practical Training