Employment

On-Campus Employment

On-campus employment is an “incident to status” meaning that as long as international students are maintaining proper F-1 status (by attending classes full time and making good progress toward the completion of their degree), international students on an F-1 visa have opportunities to work on campus without needing to apply for a work permit. Please complete an employment authorization form if you have obtained an on campus employment on campus. F-1 students will need to have a social security card to proceed with employment on campus. F-1 students are only permitted to work 20 hours per week while classes are in session but can work full-time during official school breaks.

On-campus employment for J-1 visa students can be authorized by their sponsored program. J-1 students need to attend full-time classes and are only permitted to work 20 hours per week while school is in session. (may work full-time during official school breaks).

Off-Campus Employment

F-1 students have several options for off-campus employment: CPT and OPT.
Practical Training Overview

1. 1. CPT: CPT (Curricular Practical Training) for F-1 Students: 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.
   2. OPT: Types of OPT (Optional Practical Training): Pre-completion OPT and Post-Completion OPT
      1. Pre-completion OPT 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.
      2. Post-completion OPT: Usually up to 12 months, but all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted. Periods cannot overlap.
   3. 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

1. 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.