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Most international students have the opportunity to work on and off campus while studying in the United States. This can be a great way to gain valuable work experience, supplement your income, and network with other students and colleagues.
However, as an international student, it is critical that you follow the rules associated with your visa. Remember, most international students’ visas are referred to as non-immigrant visas, which means your main purpose in the U.S. is to be a full time student.
If you got an F 1 student visa, you had to show that you were financially able to fund your studies during your visa interview, right? So the U.S. government says most international students should work only part-time.
Since certain visas have various rules and regulations regarding employment, for this article we’ll be focusing on employment for F 1 student visas. We’ll highlight the regulations of on campus employment, curricular practical training (CPT), optional practical training (OPT), and important tips for resumes and cover letters so you can work on getting your first job offer.
There are various on campus jobs international students can find, such as helping out in the school bookstore, cooking or serving food in a campus cafeteria, working the front desk of your residence hall, etc. Most universities have a website, also called a job board, that lists the many on campus employment opportunities available throughout the academic year and summer months.
First and foremost, before you start looking for on-campus employment, it’s important to ensure you’re eligible. If you’d like to work on campus, schedule a meeting with a university designated school official (DSO) at the international student office.
A DSO will double-check your status and program of study and that you’re active in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an online database that DSOs needs to update so the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can keep track of all international students in the U.S., including F1, J1, and M1 students and their dependents.
If your SEVIS record is active, you can start submitting applications for on campus employment and even start working up to 30 days before your class start. If you get a job offer, congratulations! But before you begin working your on campus job, you’ll first need to get a social security number (SSN).
A SSN is a nine-digit number assigned to all U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and employed nonimmigrants. A SSN is essential for identification purposes, as well as reporting wages to the government and for some states, getting a drivers license.
When your DSO approves your eligibility to work on campus, they will give you an approval letter. You’ll take that approval letter and the offer letter from your on campus employer and apply for an SSN. You’ll receive your SSN card in the mail and you can begin working.
One of the most important rules international students need to follow working on campus is the 20 hours per week rule. An international student is only allowed to work 20 hours per week!
Working more than 20 hours per week is a violation of your F 1 student status, and DHS could take action against you, such as revoking your student visa and requiring you to leave the U.S.
There are certain exceptions, such as severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances. For example, perhaps an international organization back home was providing you a scholarship but they’re no longer able to fund it anymore. You’ll need to provide proof of severe economic hardship to your DSO in order to receive permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work more hours.
Additionally, international students can work more hours during holidays and vacation periods if you plan to continue your full time status the following semester.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is for international students who want to work a job or internship that’s directly related to their academic program and it helps fulfill academic credit.
For example, a bachelor’s degree program may require you to complete an internship in your field in order to graduate. These internships, practicums, etc. can be paid or unpaid, on campus or off, but you will need to apply for CPT before starting.
If you want to complete CPT, schedule an appointment with a DSO at your international student office. They will determine your eligibility for CPT by confirming the following:
Once approved for CPT, you can only work for the approved employer for the established dates. You may be eligible to work more than 20 hours per week depending on the job offer or internship.
While there is no limit to how long you can work on CPT, you need to be careful that it doesn’t interfere with your optional practical training (OPT) eligibility, especially if you want to work in the U.S. after graduation. If you work a total of 365 days on CPT, you will not be eligible for OPT.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is for international students seeking employment one year before graduating (pre completion OPT) or after graduation (post completion OPT).
To be eligible for OPT, an international student must work a job that’s directly related to their major. International students must first meet with a DSO and receive approval from USCIS. Once approved, you will receive an employment authorization document, also known as an EAD card. This allows you to work anywhere off campus, as long as the work is related to your academic program.
You don’t need to have job offer in hand when you apply for pre completion OPT or post completion OPT, which can be a good thing because it can take USCIS up to 90 days to process your application. You can’t start work until you have your EAD card, so working with your DSO on the timing of your application is essential so you can receive work authorization in time to begin employment.
International students are eligible for 12 months pre-completion OPT and 12 months of post completion OPT, but for some post completion OPT students, they can apply for an extension.
For international students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, they can apply to extend their post completion OPT by 24 months.
To be eligible for the STEM OPT extension, an international student:
To understand all the rules and timelines of working in the U.S., if it’s an on campus job, CPT, or OPT, it’s essential that international students familiarize themselves with USCIS resources and meet with a designated school official in order to maintain their legal status.
If you’re seeking employment on campus, or your in the process of obtaining work authorization for an off campus job, your resume and cover letter will be essential for no matter what. These two documents are your first impression to potential employers and can make or break your opportunity to land an interview.
Your resume should be tailored specifically to the job you’re applying for and highlight your relevant skills and experiences. Make sure to include your contact information, education, work experience, and any relevant certifications.
In the U.S., do not include a photograph of yourself, your marital status, or gender. In the U.S., there are strict laws to prevent discrimination or bias during the hiring process, so these items are usually encouraged to be left off.
As for your cover letter, this should complement your resume and explain why you are the best candidate for the job. Pick two or three examples from your resume that you can expand on that relates to the job and anything else you would like the potential employer to know.
For both documents, it’s essential they are both free from spelling and grammatical errors. Most universities have a career office that helps students craft resumes and cover letters, so be sure to utilize their services!
In summary, international students can work in the U.S. and find it to be a rewarding experience. And hey, you may be able to help cover some other costs, like living expenses, tuition, and health insurance. Just be sure you meet with your DSO to understand and follow regulations.
And if it’s before or after graduation, you can count on Lewerglobal for your health insurance needs. We offer F 1 student health insurance plans, as well as plans that cover you during OPT. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions!