Can I Work on an F1 Visa?

F1 visas are primarily issued to international students for educational purposes. However, students may work part-time and off-campus during their studies with prior authorization from their Designated School Official (DSO).

But it is important to understand that working illegally will land you in hot water with the US government. We can help you learn more about the legal employment options available to you as an F1 student.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

There are a number of different work options for an f1 visa holder to consider. One of the more popular choices is Optional Practical Training (OPT).

OPT is a work authorization program that allows students on F-1 status to work in the United States while they are studying. OPT is a great way for international students to gain hands-on experience in their field of study while also building relationships with employers in the U.S.

The program is designed to give graduates a pathway to green cards and permanent residency, though it doesn’t ultimately guarantee that. Despite that, it is an important option for many foreign students to pursue.

Whether you are interested in OPT or not, it’s important to know your rights and obligations. For example, while you’re on OPT, it is your responsibility to report changes in your employment or US residential address to your DSO and the Department of State.

In fact, your DSO can terminate your OPT if you fail to comply with these reporting requirements. So it’s critical that you understand the process, your obligations and your rights before requesting an extension of your OPT.

You can work for more than one employer at a time, as long as they are all related to your education. This can include jobs such as teaching assistants, research assistants and campus positions.

However, you can only work for 20 hours per week during the regular school term and during annual school holidays. If you want to work more than that, you should apply for an extension of your OPT.

OPT is available for undergraduate and graduate students, and can be arranged at the student’s home university or college. Generally, it begins after graduation and may be authorized for up to 12 months.

If you’re a student in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) field, you may be eligible for an additional 24 months of OPT known as STEM Extension. For more information, check out the STEM OPT Extension page.

Despite the growing pressure to curb OPT, experts have found that this program is essential for students’ success. Studies have shown that high numbers of international students on OPT programs lead to higher earnings and GDP in the United States, and contribute to a stronger economy in general. This is particularly true in cities and regions that are home to many international students.

STEM Extension

If you are a student with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field, you may be eligible for a STEM Extension of post-completion OPT. The 24-month extension allows you to work for qualifying employers enrolled in E-Verify.

The STEM Designated Degree Program List includes all fields of study that DHS has determined qualify for a STEM OPT extension. Currently, the core areas of engineering (CIP code 14), biological sciences (CIP code 26), mathematics (CIP code 27) and physical sciences (CIP code 40) are included in this list.

You can apply for a 24-month STEM Extension as long as you meet the following requirements:

First, your F-1 status must be current. This means you must have a valid EAD card and have maintained your SEVIS record.

Second, you must have completed a STEM-designated degree at an SEVP-certified college/university. The school must have been accredited when you entered your STEM-eligible period of OPT and when you submit your STEM Extension application.

Third, your employer must be an employer that is enrolled in the federal government’s E-Verify system. The E-Verify website can help you find an employer that is currently registered to use the system.

Fourth, your employment must be directly related to the field of study you are pursuing. This means that you must not work in a different field of study while on STEM Extension, and you should not accept any positions outside of your major.

Fifth, you should not work more than 20 hours per week while on your STEM Extension. If you exceed this limit, you will be considered to be out of OPT and must file a new application for your extension.

Sixth, you should report your address and phone number every six months while on OPT. If you fail to do this, your F-1 visa will be automatically revoked and you must return to your home country.

In addition, you should always update Wolverine Access with your current U.S. address and telephone number. You must also report any changes in your employment and insurance within 10 days of the change.

International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA)

In the US, you can work on an f1 visa if you are working for a foreign government or international organization that is designated by the Secretary of State under the International Organizations Immunities Act (IOIA). The IOIA was passed to promote the presence of international organizations in the United States.

The IOIA provides immunity from all forms of legal proceedings against international organizations, their property, and their assets. It also protects the international organization’s archives and records. In order to be granted immunity under the IOIA, the international organization must submit an application to the Department of State. The application is then reviewed and approved by the Secretary of State.

As with any immigration law, the IOIA can be confusing. While it may seem clear that international organizations are immune from domestic jurisdiction, there are exceptions to this rule.

One such exception is the commercial transactions exception. This applies to acts performed by an international organization that are commensurate with those private parties perform in the market.

Another important exception is the functional immunity exception. This applies to acts that an international organization does in order to carry out its functions as a self-governing entity.

While this exception is useful in a number of cases, it can be problematic in some situations. For example, it can be difficult to distinguish between acts that constitute an exercise of public authority by the international organization and acts that are commensurate with those that a private party would perform in a commercial transaction.

It is also not easy to make the distinction between a de jure imperii and a de jure gestionis. This can be especially tricky when an IO is acting amidst the territorial jurisdiction of its member States.

Moreover, some international organizations have their own internal rules that govern how an IO can conduct its business. These internal rules may be useful for a variety of purposes but they are not always necessary or appropriate in the context of international relations.

This tension between two competing but legitimate values can be a challenge to interpreting the scope of an IO’s immunities. It is a tension between the need to maintain an IO’s functional independence and the need to secure access to justice for victims of IO action.

Off-Campus Work

While F1 students are expected to cover their expenses during their time in the United States, there may be times when students need to earn money. In these situations, there are a few different work options that are available to F1 students, including on-campus and off-campus employment.

Generally speaking, on-campus employment is the most commonly accepted and freely permitted form of employment for F-1 students. Often this is done as part of an assistantship, fellowship or other form of financial support from the school. Depending on the situation, this may include positions such as teaching assistantships, research assistantships, library aide, and more.

Off-campus employment is a more difficult type of work authorization to obtain. It is only available to eligible F-1 students who have completed at least one full academic year of their program of study and who have an economic hardship that meets the Department of Homeland Security’s emergent circumstances criteria.

The student must submit a detailed application to USCIS, accompanied by thorough documentation and proof of the circumstances that caused their economic hardship. This type of work authorization is typically granted for up to one year, after which the student must apply again.

However, some schools make exceptions to this rule, and students can be approved for off-campus employment as long as the work is directly related to their studies. This is especially true in the case of internships.

In some cases, students can also be allowed to work off-campus under the category of CPT (Continuous Practical Training), which is an academic learning experience that requires a significant amount of work on or off the campus. This is a very useful option for students who have not yet finished their degree program but want to get experience in the field of study they are studying.

It is important to understand that working off-campus without proper authorization is extremely risky and can jeopardize a student’s immigration status. The United States government takes this very seriously, and if you violate the rules, your visa will be terminated and you may have to leave the country immediately.