Types of Employment for International Students
On-Campus
This is employment that takes place at the location of your school or at an off-campus location that is considered part of the school. For on-campus employment, the employer is generally the school in which you are enrolled and the school that issued your I-20 or DS-2019 if you are an F-1 or J-1 student.
Off-Campus
This is employment that takes place at a location that is not part of the school. Additionally, with off-campus work, you are paid by a business or person who is not part of your school. Off-campus work always requires special employment authorization. Your school's international student advisor will help you determine your eligibility for off-campus work.
Internships
Some students are required to do an internship, field-work, practicum or to volunteer as part of their program of study. Special work authorization may be available to students who must fulfill this type of requirement. Check with your school's international student advisor to see if this is an option for you.
Employment After Graduation
F-1, J-1 and M-1 students are eligible to apply for permission to do work in their field of study for a limited period of time.
F-1 Students = Optional Practical Training (12 months per increasing degree level, ex. A.A., B.A., M.A., PhD)
J-1 Students = Academic Training (up to 3 years, dependent on length of studies and degree level completed)
M-1 Students = Practical Training (maximum of 6 months, dependent on the length of program of study)
H1-B = after completion of a Bachelor's degree (or U.S. equivalent), students are eligible to be sponsored by an employer for a full-time working visa. There are a limited number of these visas.
U.S. Work and International Students
Employment possibilities vary depending on visa type:
F-1 = 20 hours a week on-campus during academic year & 40 hours a week on-campus during official school breaks; eligible to apply for Practical Training (subject to certain restrictions)
J-1 = 20 hours a week on-campus during academic year & 40 hours a week on-campus during official school breaks; eligible to apply for Academic Training (subject to certain restrictions)
J-2 = eligible to apply to USCIS for full-time Employment Authorization Card
M-1 = no employment allowed during course of study; eligible to apply for maximum 6 months Practical Training upon program completion (subject to certain restrictions)
H-4 = no employment legally allowed, including volunteering
L-2 = eligible to apply to USCIS for full-time Employment Authorization Card
*Important: confirm your work permissions and restrictions with your institution's International Student Advisor upon your arrival in the U.S.
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