One of the letters you will ever be happy to read in your life is an offer letter of admission to study a course of your choice and even better in your dream school in your favorite country abroad. International students who get such offer letters often experience mixed feelings of happiness, worry, and anxiety because of the high cost of living and tuition. Hence, the question on the topic above. Let’s examine if international students are permitted to work. Let us discuss, Is an F1 Student a Legal Alien Allowed to Work?
Yes, an f1 student can work legally in the US. A legal alien is simply a person that has legal authorization to live and permanently work in the United States. An f1 student fits into this category of people but there are some restrictions and requirements for working with an f1 visa. This article explores more details about this.
Types Of Employment Opportunities For An F1 Student
On-Campus Employment
These are jobs available for you to do on campus. Oftentimes, these jobs are limited because their wages aren’t sufficient to pay your school fees or cater to all your students’ needs and they may have no relation to your course of study. Every on-campus job must stay within the boundaries of the definitions below.
- Employment opportunities are offered directly by the university. Examples include teaching assistants, research assistants, etc.
- Job opportunities with any organization that is situated on campus and serves the needs of students. Examples include working in a restaurant on campus which may or may not be owned by the school.
- Work at any organization that has an educational affiliation with the school but isn’t situated on campus.
Curricular Practical Training
This is an off-campus job opportunity that is available to students whose course of study demands practical training. You need authorization from the International Student Office of your school and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to do a CPT. Your request for CPT will be granted if:
- The job is found within the scope of your academic program
- The employment is part of the curriculum requirements for your course of study or you may even get academic credit for it.
- You have completed at least an academic session in your school on a valid f1 visa. Although, graduate students are allowed to start CPT on their first day in school if their degree program demands such.
Optional Practical Training [OPT]
OPT enables international students to work as they study their course, after graduation, or both. After graduation OPT can last for about 12 months, however, if you engage in OPT while being enrolled as a student it reduces the duration of OPT you can be granted after graduation. The USCIS and the International Student Office of your school must authorize your OPT employment before you can start the work. To secure an OPT:
- The work has to be related to the course you’re currently studying
- You must submit an application for it before finishing your academic program
- You must maintain a valid and lawful f1 status
STEM OPT Extension
This is strictly for international students who have studied a STEM course (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) in the US. They are allowed during their after-graduation OPT to apply for 24 months of additional OPT. A minimum of 20 hours per week must be spent on the job and it can’t be self-employment. Also, the employer has to be registered on E-Verify. You qualify for the STEM OPT extension if you have:
- Started an after-graduation OPT work
- Maintained a legal f1 status
- Secured a job that has a direct relation with the particular STEM degree
International Organization Employment
International students can be granted permission to work with any eligible international organization. Eligible organizations are found on the US Official State Department List. Examples include World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, and many other less popular organizations. Below are the requirements to work in an international organization.
- Students must be offered employment or internship with an eligible international organization
- Students should have spent a minimum of one-year studying
- Students must have a legal f1 status
- The job must be sponsored by the organization
Severe Economic Hardship
This category of employment is for students who can’t cover the cost of their education again because of circumstances beyond their control. They are allowed to work for as long as 20 hours a week off-campus while the school is on and during breaks too. Examples of such circumstances include:
- Negative unpredictable changes in the financial state of the student’s sponsor
- Excessive fluctuation of the exchange rate
- Losing on-campus employment as a result of reasons not caused by the student
- Extreme increase in the cost of living or tuition
Conclusion
It is the desire of many students from developing countries and other countries around the world to have a world-class education in a country like the US. However, studying in the US comes with the challenge of funding and covering one’s cost of living. One of the ways many students have overcome this hurdle is by working. Although it comes with various restrictions and can be strenuous, the US has provided various opportunities for international students to work legally while maintaining a valid f1 status.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does an International Student need a Social Security Number to work?
No, your Social Security Number is not your work permit, although, it is needed to track how you earn money. So, you must get one but it does not replace your work permit.
2. Can I be eligible for OPT after I have done CPT?
Yes, but to be able to apply for OPT after doing CPT you can only spend below 12 months on CPT.
3. What is the range of income I can earn as an F1 student working in the US?
Jobs that do not require much skillfulness pay about $7 – $9/hour, however, you can earn about $10/hour or even more at a higher-skilled job.
