
#WelcomeBack2015: Working in the States
January 23, 2015
Now that you are back at school, you may be exploring potential employment opportunities while in the United States. The U.S. government allows for the authorization of on- and off-campus employment benefits to improve the quality of life for international students as it provides an opportunity to legally earn money while studying in the states.
If you are an F-1 student, before you take any steps toward work authorization, you must first speak with your designated school official (DSO) to request permission and to decide what option works best for you. Below are two employment options that you may be eligible to apply for:
- On-Campus Employment: If you are an F-1 student in Active status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), you can begin work on your school’s campus shortly after arriving in the United States. Once your DSO approves your request for on-campus employment, you will receive a letter of approval that, along with a letter from your employer, will be used to secure a social security number. F-1 students can only work for a total of 20 hours each week while school is in session.
- Off-Campus Employment: After one full academic year as an F-1 student, you may be eligible for off-campus work authorization, a benefit you apply for based on “severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances.” However, approval for this requires special authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Talk with your DSO for more information about this exception, as your DSO must recommend you in SEVIS and issue you a new Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status," reflecting this recommendation. Briefly, the steps to receive off-campus work authorization are:
- Your DSO will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows the DSO’s recommendation for this employment.
- Then, you must apply by filing a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with USCIS.
- If USCIS approves your request, they will then mail you a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document," (EAD). Please note that you may not start working until after you receive your EAD.
If USCIS approves your application and issues you an EAD to work off-campus, F-1 students may only work 20 hours per week while school is in session. However, you may work full-time during breaks and vacations.
Remember, your DSO is a great resource and can answer questions you may have about your work eligibility as a student. For more information, you can also contact the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s Response Center at 703-603-3400.
What else do you find helpful to remember at the beginning of a new school term? Join our conversation and share your tips with us using #WelcomeBack on Twitter and Facebook.