F-1 Student Employment

There are two components for qualified on-campus employment:

Limits on the type and location of the employment, and
Limited to jobs that do not displace a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

F-1 students may engage in employment on the campus they are authorized to attend (indicated in Section 2 of the I-20 Form) for a maximum of 20 hours per week during normal enrollment periods and up to 40 hours per week during the summer or other officially recognized school break. No special authorization from the USCIS is necessary in order to engage in on-campus employment. F-1 students may also engage in on-campus employment at an off-campus location. Read More >>

Prior to completion of studies, an F-1 student may engage in employment (on-campus or off-campus) that directly relates to his/her major field of study via Curricular Practical Training (CPT). CPT is granted by the student’s Designated School Official (DSO) and the Form I-20 is endorsed with the dates the student is eligible to work, as well as the number of hours per week. A student with CPT must present an original Form I-20 indicating CPT approval to an intended employer before employment may lawfully commence. CPT can be divided into two categories:

an internship/practicum which is a required part of the program curriculum;
a training program which is not required, but which is integral to one's program of study and for which academic credit is received. Employment may be part-time (20 hrs per week or less) or full-time (more than 20 hrs per week). Off-campus locations may be approved by the students DSO. It is important to note, however, that F-1 students who engage in full-time CPT for 12 months or more will forfeit their period of Optional Practical Training following completion of studies.

An F-1 student may be authorized to engage in employment (on-campus or off-campus) that is directly related to his/her major field of study via Optional Practical Training (OPT).

OPT can be divided into four categories:

part-time or full-time during the student's annual vacation period and at other times when school is not in session, if the student is currently enrolled and eligible and intends to register for the next term,
while school is in session, provided the employment does not exceed 20 hours per week,
full-time after completion of all course requirements for degree (excluding thesis or the equivalent) or,
full-time after completion of the entire course of study. The maximum amount of time an F-1 student may engage in OPT is 12 months.

It is important to note, however, that F-1 students who have engaged in full-time "Curricular Practical Training" for 12 months or more are ineligible for OPT.

NEWS UPDATE: March 31, 2008 - Potential Extension of F-1 OPT Validity Period - Read More >>. The deadline for comments on the interim rule is June 8, 2008. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) should complete their review by this date and if no significant issues with the regulations are found, the final rule will be published with the effective date of April 8, 2008. A predication cannot be made on OMB's approval, so please check back for additional updates.

USCIS UPDATE April 24, 2008 - The Form I-765; Application for Employment Authorization has been revised to accomodate the additional elgibility codes for conditions and duration of OPT for qualified F-1 students. As of July 9, 2008, the USCIS will only accept the revised Form I-765 and will reject all previous editions of the form. Read More >>

ATTENTION! Students engaging in Optional Practical Training can NOT begin work until he or she receives approval from their DSO and subsequent authorization by the USCIS in the form of a valid Employment Authorization Card (EAD). F-1 students may also apply for an EAD based on economic hardship.