
An F1 student can work off-campus in certain circumstances. There are two main options, both of which require prior approval by immigration. The first is Curricular Practical Training, or CPT for short. The second is Optional Practical Training, or OPT for short.
Full Answer
Can a F-1 student work off campus?
Employment. 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: Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Can international students work in the US with F1 visa?
International students seeking a whole degree in the US must obtain an F1 student visa. 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.
Can I work off-campus on a student visa?
The F1 student visa also allows you to work off-campus. However, there is some paperwork you must complete beforehand and several rules regarding the type of work. The Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program allows international students to work off-campus.
Can I work on F1 visa without work permit?
In other words, the general rule is you need prior consent to work on an F1 visa. Thus, a word of caution: an F1 student that works without permission can lose his or her F1 visa status. But let’s begin with the exception to the rule – when a student on an F1 visa may work without official approval. Can an F1 student work on campus? Yes.

Can F-1 visa holders work outside of campus?
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 prior to starting any work by the Designated School Official (the person authorized to maintain the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)) and USCIS.
What happens if an international student works off campus?
If international students work a job off campus, this will violate their visa status, and if they get caught working illegally, they face the risk of being sent back to their home country.
Can I work off campus on F-1 visa during summer?
Work Opportunities F-1 students experiencing economic hardship may also apply for authorization to work full time during summer vacation at an off-campus job. Speak with your DSO before beginning work to ensure you are eligible to work in the United States.
Can international students work on campus and off campus?
If you are a full-time student at a public post-secondary school with a valid study permit, you can work on-campus and off-campus without a work permit.
What happens if you get caught working on F1 visa?
Simply committing an "employment violation" automatically throws you out of lawful F-1 status. Once you are out of status, you will need to file an application for reinstatement to get back into proper F-1 status—or else face possibly accruing unlawful presence in the United States.
How can F1 visa get green card?
There are four ways through which an F-1 visa international student can get a Green Card.Self-petition as a Person with Extraordinary Abilities. ... Adjust status to a dual intent visa. ... Become an investor in the US. ... Marry a US citizen.
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.
Can F-1 students work 40 hours in summer?
F-1 students have several options to pursue different types of employment. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours a week during fall and spring semesters and 40 hours a week during University vacations and summer vacation.
Can F-1 students work more than 40 hours in summer?
CPT Work Authorization Yes, during the summer term. Full-time employment is defined by USCIS as employment for more than 20 hours per week.
How long can F-1 student be out of status?
US Immigration law states that individuals in the US for more than 180 days without a valid status are banned from returning to the US for at least 3 years. Individuals in the US for more than 1 year without a valid status are banned from returning to the US for at least 10 years.
Can I work full-time on F-1 visa?
In order to work on-campus, you must adhere to several rules and regulations. You have to maintain valid F-1 status; you may not displace (take a job away from) a US student; you may work up to 20 hours a week (part-time), or full-time during holidays and vacation periods.
How long can you stay on F-1 visa?
60 daysF-1 student visa F-1 students must sustain a full-time course load. They can stay in the US for up to 60 days after finishing their academic program unless they applied for and were accepted to carry on working for a while under the OPT Program.
What happens if F-1 student works off-campus?
If USCIS approves the application, the student will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document," (EAD) from USCIS and can begin working. Approval for off-campus employment is good for one year. If the F-1 student needs to continue working off-campus, the student must re-apply.
Can an international student work off-campus in US with SSN?
Students in valid F-1 cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining official authorization. Immigration regulations severely limit the international student's eligibility to accept employment off-campus.
Can international students work off-campus during summer?
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.
How do international students get deported?
A student can be deported if he/she is convicted of a crime involving immoral, corrupt, or evil acts for which he/she is sentenced to at least one year in confinement or if he/she is convicted of a crime of violence for which a sentence of at least one year could be imposed.
Where do I send my I-20?
The student must send a copy of the Form I-20, along with the Form I-765, to USCIS.
Where do I send updated I-20?
An updated Form I-20 should be mailed to USCIS.
Is the F-1 requirement suspended?
Under emergent circumstances, the government may suspend some requirements for affected F-1 students, including the requirements for off-campus employment. In such cases, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a notice in the Federal Register, giving details of such suspension.
What is on campus work?
On-campus Work. Most universities in the US offer paid employment opportunities to students. The positions vary, sometimes they are looking for help in the library, in a reception, or need a lifeguard. As an international student, you will be able to apply for on-campus employment.
How long can an international student work in the US?
After completion of their program, international students can participate in the OPT program. The OPT allows students to work for up to 12 months in the US without any additional work permits (other than the OPT application/permit). The OPT program is a unique opportunity that can allow you to gain practical experience right after graduation.
How many hours can you work in a semester?
During the semester, you can work up to 20 hours a week. The 20 hours total can be completed in one single position or a combination of multiple jobs. For example, during my studies, I struggled to find employment that gave students more than 10 hours a week. As a result, I changed my goal of working in a single position for 20 hours a week to working two jobs of 10 hours a week. But, remember, regardless of how many jobs you have, you can never exceed 20 hours of work a week.
Is self employment a valid OPT?
For example, the OPT STEM Extension does not allow volunteer or unpaid work. Also, self-employment is not valid.
Can international students work while studying?
International students incur significant expenses during their studies. Sometimes those expenses are a lot greater than national student expenses due to out-of-state tuition costs. But there is good news for international students! You can work and cover part of your costs while completing your degree, as early as the first semester. Generally, you have two options: on-campus and off-campus work.
Can I work on an F1 visa after a degree?
When the time comes to apply for employment, make sure to be in contact with the international office at your university. They will guide you through the process and make sure you complete the CPT or OPT permits accurately and promptly.
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.
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 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 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 many hours can a student work?
The Student can only work part-time (which means no more than 20 hours per week ),
Is it illegal to work on campus?
Before starting to work you must check if the job you wish to take is considered as on-campus, because sometimes, some type of jobs are not considered as on-campus even if they are located inside of the University facilities. If you start working one of them, even unknowingly, you will be considered as an illegal employer. You might lose a lot if you engage in such activity. To avoid such mistakes, check if the job you wish to take is considered as on-campus with an International Student Adviser.
What is an F-1 student visa?
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, ...
Who approves schools?
Your school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement
What is on-campus employment?
ISS defines on-campus employment as work at the University of Washington that is on the physical campus in Seattle and is affiliated with the University of Washington. A good way for students to determine if a job is on-campus is to ask the employer if they will be paying from University of Washington’s payroll. Sometimes, jobs from “third parties” may also be considered on-campus. For example, students working at a Husky Game may have an on-campus job as part of a security unit that is contracted by the University of Washington.
How to find jobs at UW?
Use the UW Career & Internship Center’s job search tool, Handshake. This database advertises both on-campus and off-campus jobs. Filter your search to only look for on-campus jobs. On-campus jobs are also advertised on flyers posted around campus—in elevators, office bulletin boards, etc. The Career & Internship Center also has a website that discusses helpful resources and tips related to finding campus jobs.
What is work study at UW?
Some campus jobs are designated as “work study” positions. The job description might include a statement such as: “position open only to UW students who qualify for work study awards.”. Work study awards are part of federal financial aid packages and are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
How many hours per week is part time at UW?
part-time (20 hours per week or less) during your regular full-time quarters (quarter dates are set by the UW academic calendar and include finals week).
Does ISS have authority to determine if a job is on or off campus?
ISS does not have the authority to determine whether a job is on or off campus but rather provides students with the information to understand if a job is on or off-campus. Students who are concerned about whether their employment is on or off campus should read about the different employment opportunities for their visa type and see where the employment fits.
Is ISS considered on campus?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, ISS considers your job to be on-campus.
Can I work on campus with an F-1 visa?
A student can begin working up to 30 days before the start date on their I-20. Students may only work on campus while they maintain status. A valid I-20 document serves as proof of work eligibility for on-campus employment.
