If you are considering studying in the United States, you may be concerned about the cost. The expenditures of studying in the United States are not minor and may rapidly add up. With foreign tuition, travel, and living expenses, you may be considering working to supplement your income. While working in the United States on an F-1 visa, remember the limits to avoid violating visa requirements. Here are five methods to lawfully work in the United States without jeopardizing your immigration status.
On-Campus Employment
On-campus work is one of the most practical ways for international students to make money. This is because it does not need the submission and acceptance of Form I-765 (Application Employment Authorization). During the semesters when school is in session, students have permission to work up to 20 hours per week. During school holidays, such as spring or summer vacation, students have permission to work up to 40 hours per week. Always double-check with your International Student Advisor to confirm whether the job you’re seeking is considered “on-campus.” This permission does not cover all work possibilities on campus. Off-campus job opportunities are available for international students as detailed below. During your first academic year in the United States, you can only work on campus. International students have off-campus job opportunities available. Only on-campus work is permitted during your first academic year in the United States.
Off-Campus Employment
To obtain an F-1 visa, a foreign student must demonstrate the ability to cover study and living expenses in the United States. Additionally, they should not plan to work off-campus. Students facing severe financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances after enrollment, like medical emergencies or currency depreciation in their home country, can request and receive off-campus work permission. Before starting this job, students must have completed at least one academic year, maintain good academic standing, and obtain a work permit from USCIS. While school is in session, this license limits students to 20 hours of work per week. Additionally, they must reapply for off-campus permission each year. Notably, the student’s academic program does not require this form of off-campus job to be related to it.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training sets itself apart from other work opportunities for international students by not having a 20-hour per week limitation. However, it must be closely related to the student’s primary subject of study. To be eligible for CPT, you must have completed your first year of academic study. Authorization for CPT requires Form I-756. Curricular Practical Training provides real-world experience in a student’s field of study and permits off-campus jobs. It must occur before the program deadline mentioned on their Form I-20. If you plan to pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT), keep in mind that one year of full-time CPT makes a student ineligible for OPT.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) (Pre-Completion & Post-Completion)
Optional Practical Training is another option for students seeking off-campus employment. Each higher level of study offers 12 months of regular OPT. For example, a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree will receive 12 months of OPT. If students choose to pursue a master’s degree, they will receive an additional 12 months. As previously stated, a complete year of CPT will exclude a student from being eligible for OPT, but only at the same program level. For example, if a student completed full-time CPT while pursuing their bachelor’s degree, they are no longer eligible for OPT while pursuing their bachelor’s degree, even if at a different institution. After initiating the master’s degree (and not having completed any CPT work at this level), the student is entitled to another year of OPT. Unlike CPT, OPT requires an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS before beginning any job.
There are two forms of OPT work: pre-completion OPT, and post-completion OPT. Pre-completion OPT is for students who have not yet graduated from their degree program and want to obtain experience in their profession before entering the workforce. They can only work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Post-completion OPT refers to any portion of OPT utilized after the student’s program concludes, and this job must be full-time.
OPT Extensions: STEM and Cap-Gap
After completing 12 months of OPT, students have two options to extend and continue their OPT employment. STEM degree holders in specific Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields authorized by DHS can get a 24-month OPT extension. Students with a future employer who filed a valid H-1B cap-subject petition may qualify for a Cap-Gap OPT Extension. To be eligible for the Cap-Gap OPT Extension, the employer must timely file Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with USCIS and request a change of the student’s status to H1-B. The Cap-Gap extension permits individuals to stay in the United States with work permission from April 1 to September 30 while awaiting an approved H-1B.
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