F1 Visa - Employment

Student Lounge International Students
1

<p>I am going to the US this Fall to pursue my undergraduate studies with an F1 Visa. I need some information regarding employment opportunities for F1 visa holders</p>

<p>Here is what the US Immigration website says:

[quote]
Working on an F1 visa</p>

<p>F1 visa holders may work on campus (i.e. within the university) for up to 20 hours per week if they are in good academic standing, maintain full-time study, and do not displace a US resident. Students may work full-time between semesters and during the annual summer vacation if they enroll for the following term. After completing their studies, however, they may not be employed on-campus unless authorized for practical training.</p>

<p>Off-campus work requires approval from USCIS and is possible only after the first full year of study. Unless this permit has been granted by USCIS, it is illegal for a student with an F1 visa to accept off-campus employment. If employment permission is granted, the student still must maintain full-time study while working up to 20 hours a week while courses are in session and 40 hours a week during the summer and between semesters.</p>

<p>Sometimes, however, things don't go as planned. If you can prove that you are suffering a severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond your control, you may be able to get special USCIS working permission. Examples include loss of financial aid or on campus employment without fault on the part of the student, a severe devaluation in the currency of your home country, or medical bills.</p>

<p>You must further show that there is no suitable on-campus employment for you. You must have completed a full year of academic study and must be in good academic standing. You will also have to obtain a recommendation from your student officer. If granted work permission, you will be allowed to work 20 hours per week while school is in session.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>How hard is it to get this USCIS permit? Suppose there are part time jobs available on campus as well as off campus but the off campus job is slightly more attractive, will obtaining the permit be a fairly straightforward process?</p>

<p>Anyway more than the part time job, my real concern is the summer / off-semester when I am entitled to work full time. If I want to get a full time job outside the university for the summer / semester break how do I go about applying for the permit? Do I first need to find a job and then apply for the permit or can I get the permit straight away?</p>

<p>I would really appreciate it if someone who's been through this could enlighten me.</p>

2

<p>There are four different scenarios that allow you to assume work:</p>

<ul>
<li>on-campus employment: up to 20 hours a week while school is in session, otherwise unlimited</li>
<li>optional practical training (OPT): off-campus employment up to 20 hours a week during the semester or full-time during breaks, limited to 12 months throughout your undergrad career (can be taken after finishing your degree as well), must be somewhat related to your studies</li>
<li>curricular practical training (CPT): off-campus employment up to 20 hours a week during the semester, not available during breaks, limited to 12 months throughout your undergrad career (in addition to OPT), must be an integral part of your studies (e.g. for-credit internships in professional programs)</li>
<li>hardship employment</li>
</ul>

<p>Generally, students have to attend college for one year before being issued work permits for OPT, CPT or hardship employment.</p>

<p>The work permits for OPT (and CPT, of applicable) are issued directly by your college and are easy to acquire, though some colleges generally don't issue OPT authorizations to students to work during the semester (only during breaks). You can get the permit without having secured a job but that would be a waste because the time you are authorized to work will get deducted from the 12 month limit whether you really work or not.</p>

<p>Work permits for financial hardship employment on the other hand are issued by USCIS and really hard to get. You would have to prove that when you entered the States, you would have been able to cover your expenses for the entire academic program, but then something unforeseen and out of your control happened so that you lost the ability to pay. In addition, you have to prove that there is no on-campus job for you.</p>

<p>I hope that helps.</p>

3

<p>In other words, it's all the biggest BS ever. So you're trying to say that if I cannot afford going back home during winter break, spring break etc, and if I work OFF-campus, it drains out of my OPT?</p>

<p>Total BS.</p>

4

<p>yes it does...any amount of work u do will take time from your 12 month allotment..id suggest u plan well and alwys consider the future when seeking employment off campus</p>

5

<p>You don't have to get a work permit to work on campus for an F1.</p>