Employment for F-1 Students
Employee vs. Volunteer
What is an employee? The definition of an employee used in the context of immigration regulations is as follows: “An individual who provides services or labor for an employer for wages or other remuneration”. Please note that the term “remuneration” is very broad and includes a variety of non-monetary benefits, such as free housing, food, gifts, etc.
What is a volunteer? According to the Department of Labor, a volunteer is: an “individual who performs hours of service… for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered.”
To be considered a volunteer, the work performed by the individual must meet the following criteria:
- No expectation of compensation,
- The volunteer cannot displace a genuine employee, and the services provided by the volunteer should not be the same services for which he or she was previously paid and/or expects to be hired and paid for in the future;
- Services are performed for non-profit organization for the public service, religious or humanitarian objective.
On Campus Employment
On campus employment is available to F-1 students who are registered for a minimum of 12 units. You may work on campus a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session, during holidays, and vacation periods.
You will need the following documents to apply for a social security card:
- Job Offer Letter from a department on campus
- Social Security Administration letter of support from the ISC
- Social Security Application and directions
Off Campus Employment
Off campus employment includes optional practical training (OPT) authorization and severe economic hardship employment authorization.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization is a maximum of 12 months, giving you an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. You can apply for OPT to work during your program of study (pre-completion OPT) or to work after you earn an Associate Degree (post-completion OPT). For pre-completion OPT, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session, during holidays, and vacation periods. Post-completion OPT requires more than 20 hours of work each week. Applications for work authorization may take up to 90 days to process by the US Customs and Immigration Service. Eligibility requirements are:
- maintain valid F-1 status for at least 2 semesters
- be physically present in the United States
- work in a postion directly related to the major on the I-20
Economic Hardship Employment Authorization is available in cases where you are able to prove severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond your control (for example, currency devaluation or family business trouble). If approved, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session, during holidays, and vacation periods. Authorization will be for 12 months and employment can be in any field. Applications may take up to 90 days to process by the US Customs and Immigration Service.
Eligibility requirements are:
- maintain valid F-1 status for at least 2 semesters
- submit a letter from your sponsor explaining the circumstances
If authorized, employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week when school is in session and may be full-time during the break or vacation periods. Applications must be endorsed by the ISC and submitted to the USCIS for approval. Applications may take up to 90 days to process.