Working While in United States

Introduction

Generally speaking, working is not expected of students while they are attending a college or university in the United States. But, knowing that most students do need to supplement their income somewhat, working on campus is permitted to both citizens and non-citizens on student visas without needing special permission from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS, formerly U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)).

On campus jobs are available in a variety of academic and support service offices. These jobs are usually advertised through the Student Job Service Office. Other jobs that are considered "on-campus" for DHS purposes are available through our on-campus food service provider, a private contractor known as Chartwells Dining Services.

Working Off Campus

A non-citizen almost always must have some kind of permission or authorization in order to work in the United States. The USCIS recognizes that there are three possible ways a non-citizen international student may need to work in an off-campus location. These include work that is necessary for a class or an academic major or program of study (Curricular Practical Training). Another way is for practical or applied on-the-job training in the student's field of study (Optional Practical Training). The third way is work that is necessary due to unforeseen economic hardship.

Curricular Practical Training -- Off Campus Internship

Students who take a class that requires an internship in their field of study may apply to the International office for off-campus work authorization for Curricular Practical Training. The Designated School Official will check to be sure that the student is eligible. This includes the following:

  • The student must be in lawful F-1 status, and have been in that status in the U.S. for the preceding nine consecutive months
  • The student must be maintaining good academic standing
  • The student should be enrolled in a class, or a program of study which requires the internship at an off-campus location
  • The student should have a job arranged, and/or an offer made to work at the off-campus site.

The International Programs Office staff (any Designated School Official) can authorize Curricular Practical Training provided that the student meets the eligibility requirements above.

Optional Practical Training

The DHS and U.S. law permits international students to receive up to 12 months of full-time on-the-job training (paid) as a benefit of maintaining F-1 student status called Optional Practical Training (OPT). This can be taken part-time during classroom studies, or full-time after classroom studies are completed. The work must be in the student's major or field of study. Make an appointment to see a Designated School Official (DSO) in the International Education and Services Office for guidance in how to apply to the USCIS for this benefit.

Students often like to wait until they complete their programs of study before taking OPT because this gives them a truer and more complete experience of a career in their chosen field. Many times, companies that invest time and money in training students while they are in OPT will seriously consider sponsoring these successful employees for H-1B work permit status.

To be eligible for OPT, students must have been in lawful F-1 status for the preceding nine months consecutively. They must be maintaining good academic standing.

Currently, the OPT application requires that the student applicant submit the following:

  • A check or money order for $340.00 made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigrant Services.
  • A completed form I-765
  • A Designated School Official (DSO) will enter the request for Practical Training into the SEVIS system and print a new form I-20 with the recommendation imprinted on it
  • Two passport photographs
  • Two Copies will be submitted with the application.
  • A photocopy of the form I-94 "Arrival Departure Record"

The student applicant then mails these items to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigrant Services Nebraska Service Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. It often takes as long as 90 days for the application to be completed, and for the work permission card to be returned to the student. Students usually cannot work until they receive the card, so it is important to plan in advance for this benefit.

Work Permission for Economic Hardship

If an international student experiences a sudden or unforeseen change in his or her economic "well-being," he or she may apply to the USCIS for permission to accept off-campus employment. The process and procedures are very similar to those outlined above for OPT, with the notable exception that the student must demonstrate the following:

  • The economic hardship was due to circumstances that were unforeseen.
  • The economic hardship may make it difficult to complete the educational program without the off-campus employment.
  • On-campus employment is not sufficient for the student's needs.

The student must meet the same eligibility requirements as for OPT -- maintaining lawful F-1 status for nine months or more consecutively, AND good academic standing.

Reasons why a student might need such employment vary widely, but here are some examples that our office has seen over the years:

  • The rate of exchange between the home currency and U.S. currency has changed dramatically, and the student receives all or most of his/her funding from home.
  • A sponsor withdraws sponsorship.
  • Parents who were supporting the student have a medical, domestic, or financial crisis.
  • The student experiences an economic crisis in the U.S. due to an accident or other mishap (e.g., fire in an apartment).

The application takes about 90 days to process and costs $340.00, as with the application for OPT. Make an appointment to see a DSO in the International Education and Services Office to discuss how to apply for this benefit.

In Summary

If you have read all of the above, you will be well-informed enough to prevent you from believing various myths about working off-campus in the U.S. while on a student visa. The consulate that issued your visa was convinced by your documentation that you have the financial resources to be able to complete your educational program in the U.S. If the documents you submitted were not accurate, then U.S. law can provide serious penalties for committing fraud.

Sometimes ill-informed, or ill-intentioned advisors overseas will tell prospective students not to worry about money because they will be able to work off campus after nine months. As you can see from the above, this is only true under specific circumstances. And it is never possible without the authorization of a DSO and/or the U.S.C.I.S. (DHS) In other words, a foreign citizen student should never begin working off-campus without consulting with a DSO in the International Education and Services Office.

There are special ways that international student may work in the U.S. They are generally provided as benefits of maintaining lawful status. They are excellent ways to understand the world of work as it relates to your chosen profession, and we encourage international students to seek these opportunities where available. We stand ready to help students file the appropriate applications, and we are happy to be of service in supporting international student success at Southeast Missouri State University.