Employment
On-Campus Employment
F-1 & J-1 students are eligible for on campus employment up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. F-1 & J-1 Students may work full time during official school breaks.
How to qualify as a F-1:
- Be a full time student
- Making progress towards completion of degree.
How to qualify as a J-1:
- Receive authorization for employment by their sponsored program
- Be a full time student
- Making progress towards completion of degree.
To work on campus student need to:
- Receive job offer letter from employer
- Complete an employment verification form
- Complete Request for Social Security Letter
- File for Social Security Number
Off-Campus Employment
F-1 Student Pre Graduation
CPT- Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students is an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or other type of required practicum that a sponsoring employer offers through agreements with a student’s college or university. This occurs before a student’s program end date. One year or more of full-time CPT eliminates OPT eligibility at the same educational level. Students can have more than one CPT authorization at the same time. Authorization is for one specific employer and a specific period.
Pre-completion OPT – (Optional Practical Training) for F-1 students occurs before a student’s program end date. If you are authorized to participate in pre-completion OPT, you may work (20 hours or less per week) while school is in session. You may work full-time when school is not in session.
Students can work for any employer, but the job/training must relate to the student’s major course of study. The Employer must also be able to provide a minimum of 20 hours of training per week. The employer must be enrolled with USCIS through E-Verify. F-1 students are eligible to apply for up to 12 months of OPT per degree level to work in a job directly related to their field of study. To be approved for OPT students must submit an application to USCIS with supporting documents.
F-1 Student Post Graduation
Post-completion OPT – (Optional Practical Training): Usually up to 12 months, but all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted. Periods cannot overlap.
Students can work for any employer, but the job/training must relate to the student’s major course of study. The Employer must also be able to provide a minimum of 20 hours of training per week. The employer must be enrolled with USCIS through E-Verify. F-1 students are eligible to apply for up to 12 months of OPT per degree level to work in a job directly related to their field of study. To be approved for OPT students must submit an application to USCIS with supporting documents.
J-1 Students
Academic Training (AT): J-1 students are eligible for (AT) in a field related to their program for up to 18 months after graduation (or the length of the J program in the US, whichever is less may be used during and after your studies. An extension for up to 18 months is possible for post-doctoral research or some Bachelors or Masters STEM students. Off-campus work during the degree program reduces the total period of Academic Training available after program completion.
Dependents & Spouse
Spouses with F-2 status may not work or engage in full-time study unless they change their immigration status. F-2 spouse may engage in part-time study that is recreational (i.e. language classes). F-2 children may only engage in full-time study if the study is in elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through twelfth grade).
J-2 dependents (spouse, child) are entitled to employment authorization but not guaranteed. Income from the dependent’s employment may not be used to support the J-1 student. Employment will not be authorized if this income is needed to support the J-1 primary status holder.
Employment Forms: