International Student’s Guide to Working in the U.S.

International students have a unique set of obstacles that are different from those for domestic college students when it comes to landing a job in the U.S. Visa protocols and regulations dictate what kinds of jobs you can get, when you can work them, and how many hours you can dedicate to working during the academic year.

This guide will help you navigate everything you need to know about working while studying in the U.S. as an international student. Read on to learn all about international student visa protocols and the processes that come along with working in the U.S.

According to the Institute of International Education, statistics on international students show that about 20% fund their education in the U.S. through current employment. However, if you want to work in the U.S. as an international student, you must follow visa protocols for either the F-1 or J-1 visa, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The F-1 student visa is for international students who are enrolled as full-time degree-seeking students at an accredited college in the U.S. If you have this visa, there are already rules and regulations for obtaining work authorization.

The J-1 visa, on the other hand, is for international students studying in the U.S. through educational exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Be sure to talk to your designated school official (DSO) about your student visa and what type of work you are eligible for.

Whether you should or shouldn’t get a job as an international student in the U.S. depends on a couple of different factors:

Before you begin your job search, be sure to check in with your international education advisors to discuss your visa regulations, financial need, and professional goals. They can advise you on whether you should work, how to acquire a job, and the processes to obtain work authorization.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), since international students don’t typically qualify for financial aid and work-study jobs, they should look for a non-work-study, on-campus job, such as:

Getting an on-campus job as an international student comes with certain rules, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Here are the rules for international students working on campus with F-1 visas:

International students do not qualify for work-study jobs because these programs are federally funded. That said, you can look for jobs that are open to non-work-study students.

In some cases, the same kinds of jobs may be available to both work-study students and non-work-study students.

You can only work off campus with specific authorizations, such as an F-1 visa under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These authorizations must be included on your Form I-20.

If you want to get an off-campus job, it’s important to first understand what kind of visa you have and what the visa protocols around working off campus are for your visa.

Once you understand this, it’s important to consider what kind of work in your field you’re interested in. Are you interested in an internship, practicum, or traditional employment?

Once you know, you should begin looking for opportunities for off-campus work in your field. During your job hunt, you should meet with your international advisor to discuss your options and the processes for the work authorization you would need to apply for.

You must receive work authorization from your DSO before you can begin working off campus.

An international student can get a job depending on their student visa’s protocols.

International students can work on campus without authorization from their designated school official. However, you’ll need authorization before you can begin working off campus.

To work off campus, F-1 student visa holders can apply for CPT or OPT work authorization after they complete their first academic year.

Getting a job in the U.S. comes with its unique set of challenges for international students. What may make the process more difficult is obtaining the proper work authorizations depending on your visa type.

F-1 student visa holders can work on campus if they’re eligible and can apply for off-campus work authorization. You might be eligible for employment if you have a J-1 student visa, depending on your exchange program’s rules.

Be sure to follow all USCIS regulations and talk to your DSO about your work eligibility in the U.S. Working in the U.S. as an international student without proper authorization can have serious repercussions, including deportation.

Under an F-1 visa, you are authorized to work up to 20 hours (part time) on campus and off campus during the academic year. During summer and winter breaks, you can work full time (up to 40 hours).

It’s important to note that if you are participating in off-campus work authorizations such as CPT and OPT, certain regulations regarding how many hours you work may impact the length of your work authorizations.

The best kinds of jobs for international students are either non-work-study on-campus jobs, such as those in dining and residential life, or off-campus jobs related to your field of study.

Some of the best on-campus jobs for international student workers include:

Some of the off-campus jobs related to your field of study could include those that are: