May Day and Working in the United States
Please note: On May 10, 2016, DHS replaced the 17-month STEM OPT extension with a new 24-month STEM OPT extension. All existing 17-month STEM OPT EADs will remain valid until the EAD expires, is terminated or revoked. For more information about the new STEM OPT rule, please visit the STEM OPT Hub.
Countries around the world celebrate May Day on May 1 to honor their citizens who work. If you are an F student, you may be eligible to work while you study in the United States, but you must first be authorized. The U.S. government takes working illegally very seriously, so take this holiday to remind yourself of the regulations you must follow to maintain your F student status.
- If you decide you want to work in any capacity, the first step is always to talk to your designated school official (DSO).
- If you are an F-1 student in Active status, you are immediately eligible for on-campus employment as long as your DSO approves the request. If approved, you will receive a letter to obtain a Social Security number. You can only work on-campus for 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Once you have been enrolled and maintained your status for one year, you may be eligible for off-campus employment, only if you can demonstrate that you need it due to severe economic hardship and that other employment opportunities are not available or are insufficient. While your DSO must also approve this type of employment, you need authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as well. To get authorization, you need a recommendation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) from your DSO and must file the Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization.” If you are approved, you will receive your Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” also known as an EAD. You cannot start work until you have this and may only work for 20 hours per week off-campus while school is in session.
Learn more on our Working in the United States page and talk to your DSO if you have any questions
You can also receive work authorization for training that relates to your studies. Usually, you need to have been enrolled at a certified school for one year before you are eligible. If approved, your DSO will endorse your Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” indicating the recommendation for:
- Optional practical training (OPT), which must relate to your major area of study and also requires USCIS adjudication. OPT can be performed pre-completion, before your program end date, or post-completion, after your program of study. Students who graduate with a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and partake in post-completion OPT may be eligible for a 17 month OPT STEM extension.
- Curricular practical training (CPT), which must also relate to your program of study and must be an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT can be part-time or full-time.
- A student may be authorized for up to an aggregate of 12 months of full-time practical training (i.e., CPT and OPT) at each of the following education levels: bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program. Part-time practical training is equivalent to one-half of full-time practical training (i.e., 24 months of part-time practical training is equal to 12 months of full-time practical training).
Learn more on our Training Opportunities in the United States page and talk to your DSO if you have any questions.