Employment

Introduction

In order to maintain F-1 status, a student is NOT permitted to work in the US unless specifically authorized under one of the following categories:

- On-campus
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Severe Economic Hardship

Please do NOT engage in any type of on OR off campus employment until you have confirmed with the ISS Office that you are eligible to do so. Working without authorization will result in termination of your SEVIS record and immediate departure from the US. Knowing the regulations governing F1 student employment is vital to maintaining status. Here is a great website to visit for more specific information: Working in the United States | Study in the States (dhs.gov)

On-Campus

F-1 students are permitted to work part-time (maximum of 20 hours per week) on-campus while school is in session and full-time (maximum of 40 hours per week) during official school breaks.
Authorization from the Admissions Office nor an updated I-20 is required. However, F-1 students must apply for a social security number to begin working (see instructions under "F-1 Benefits").
F-1 students are permitted to have multiple on-campus positions, but the total amount of combined hours cannot exceed 20. For example, a student working 15 hours in one department can only work 5 additional hours in another department.
Upon initial entry to the US, F-1 students cannot begin employment more than 30 days prior to the first day of classes.
F-1 students may not engage in on-campus employment during the 60 day grace period after their program ends unless they have been approved for post-completion OPT.

Severe Economic Hardship

Severe economic hardship is a form of employment authorization that allows F-1 students to work off-campus. If granted, the authorization will be granted in increments of one year. An F-1 student must prove to the USCIS that off-campus employment is necessary due to circumstances beyond his or her control that arose after obtaining F-1 status. Examples include a natural disaster, currency devaluation or change in family circumstance.

Authorization is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and can be full time during official school breaks. An offer of employment is not required to apply, nor does the employment need to relate to the student's program of study.

OPT

Optional Practical Training is a form of off-campus employment that can be authorized during an F-1 student's study (pre-completion) or after the student completes their program (post-completion). All F-1 students are granted 12 months of OPT to engage during, after or both during and after their program of study. An offer of employment is not required, but the employment must be related to their program of study.

To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, students must be enrolled for one academic year. Once approved, students are permitted to work no more than 20 hours a week while school is in session. Students are permitted to work 40 hours during official school breaks (holiday and summer breaks).

To be eligible for post-completion OPT, must apply within 90 days before or 60 days after their program end date. Once approved, students are permitted to work 40+ hours per week, and for multiple employers.

To apply, gather the required documents ("OPT Instructions" document in the "Helpful Forms and Websites" section) and arrange an appointment with the Admissions Office to obtain a new I-20. Please apply as EARLY as possible to allow 90 days for the USCIS to review, process and approve.

CPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a form of off-campus employment that is an integral part of the F-1 student's program of study. To be eligible for this employment authorization the student must be enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (unless enrolled in the graduate program).
F-1 students must first obtain an offer of employment before applying for this authorization, and the duties must relate to the student's program of study.
Students are permitted to work no more than 20 hours per week if authorized for part-time CPT. If authorized for full-time CPT, students are permitted to work more than 20 hours per week, but this will affect post-completion OPT authorization. The amount of time authorized for full-time CPT will be deducted from the 12 month post-completion authorization. For example, if authorized for 4 months of full-time CPT, student is only eligible for 8 months of post-completion OPT.

To apply, complete the Application for Curricular Practical Training ("Helpful Forms and Websites" section) and submit it to the Admissions Office no later than 2 weeks before the desired semester.