Employment

F-1 students are restricted on employment while studying in the U.S.  Students must receive authorization before beginning an employment situation.  There are five types of employment available to F-1 students.

1. On-campus employment.
2. Employment authorized because of severe economic hardship.
3. Special Student Relief program employment.
4. Certain employment sponsored by international organizations.
5. Practical training
   • Curricular Practical Training
   • Optional Practical Training

It is necessary for F-1 students to contact their campus international advisor or the system director for international admission to better understand the eligibility and process for the above-mentioned employment categories.   Complete information cannot be found in the following text.

On-Campus Employment

An F-1 student may work on campus if:

• Valid F-1 status is maintained.
• Employment does not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session.
• The employment does not take away a job from a U.S. resident.

F-1 students may be employed full-time on campus during holidays and vacation periods, provided they intend to register for the next academic term.

Students must meet with their campus international advisor to receive approval for on-campus employment and to make sure the employment meets the immigration definition of on-campus employment.

Employment Based on Severe Economic Hardship

An F-1 student may be eligible for employment based on severe economic hardship if:

• Valid F-1 status is maintained for at least one academic year ( 3 quarters).
• Provide evidence of economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.
• Demonstrate that on-campus employment is either unavailable or insufficient to meet the needs.

The regulations offer examples of unforeseen circumstances which may cause economic hardship such as the loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses. 

Employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week when school is in session, full-time during holidays or vacation periods.  Employment authorization is automatically terminated when a student fails to maintain immigration status.  Students may work for an employer at any job anywhere in the U.S.  A job offer is not required in advance of obtaining employment authorization.  A student cannot begin employment until they receive the work authorization (EAD) card from the US Citizenship[ and Immigration Services (USCIS).

See the campus international advisor or contact the system director for international admission for an information packet on further eligibility requirements and the application process for Severe Economic Hardship.

Practical Training

An F-1 student may wish to seek temporary employment to gain practical experience in their field of study.  To obtain permission for this type of employment, a student may seek authorization for practical training.  Practical training is defined as paid employment directly related to the student's field of study.  Students in F-1 status must have been lawfully enrolled in school on a full-time basis for at least one academic year before being eligible for practical training.

There are two types of practical training:

1. Curricular practical training
2. Optional practical training

Curricular Practical Training - Curricular practical training must be an integral part of an established curriculum in the student's field of study.  It can be an internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship arranged and approved by the academic department.  It can be approved for part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) when the student is considered a full-time student.  Or, it can be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) when the student is on vacation.  It may be required or optional.  Students will need to first discuss this opportunity with their academic advisor before any approval process can begin.

Students must have authorization from the system director for international admission before they begin an internship or any form of curricular practical training.  As an F-1 student your employment cannot begin until you receive your SEVIS I-20 with the curricular practical training endorsement.  Beginning curricular practical training without proper endorsement is a violation of immigration regulations and will have serious consequences.

Students who complete 12 or more months of full-time curricular practical training will be ineligible for optional practical training.

Students should meet with their campus international advisor or contact the system director for international admission to receive the Cooperation Education packet for Curricular Practical Training.  There is no immigration fee to apply for Curricular Practical Training and the processing is done within the office for international student services. 

Students must receive approval BEFORE they begin working!

Optional Practical Training - Optional practical training is defined as "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the student's major area of study."  Optional practical training can be authorized at the following times:

1. During the student's annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session.
2. While school is in session for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
3. After completion of all course requirements for the degree or course of study. 

Students become eligible for optional practical training after having been enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one academic year. Approval must be received in the form of the EAD card BEFORE employment can begin.  The USCIS will process and approve the optional practical training applications.  There is an immigration fee for this application.

Please note the following recent changes to applying for optional practical training.

1. A student may submit an application for authorization to engage in optional practical training up to 120 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year, provided that the period of employment does not begin until after completion of the full academic year.
2. A student is eligible for 12 months of optional practical training for EACH change to a higher educational level.  For example, a student in F-1 status who enters and completes a bachelor's degree is eligible for up to 12 months of optional practical training.  If the student continues to complete a higher education level such as a master's degree, the student is eligible for up to another 12 months of optional practical training.
3. It is still correct that a student who completes 12 months of full-time curricular practical training is ineligible for optional practical training.
4. Optional practical training must be requested PRIOR to the completion of all course requirements for the degree or prior to the completion of the course of study.    Students may no longer request optional practical training after completion of study.   A student must complete all practical training within a 14 month period following the completion of study. 

Students should meet with their campus international advisor or contact the system director for international admission to receive the Optional Practical Training packet.  Again, there is a fee for this application.  It is processed and approved by the USCIS. 

Students must receive approval BEFORE they begin working!