Working in the United States
High Point University > Global Education > Immigration Matters > Working in the United States

When it comes to working in the United States, students in F-1 status have the following options:

  1. On-campus employment – work being done on campus which benefits the HPU student body.
  2. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – workplace learning that is a required part of a student’s degree program (e.g., internship or practicum) and is directly related to their major area of study. [See the Internships & Training tab for more information.]
  3. Optional Practical Training (OPT) – employment in a field directly related to a student’s major area of study that may or may not be required for the student’s degree program for up to 12 months total during each degree level. Typically, this is pursued for 12 months following the completion of a student’s degree. [ See the Internships & Training tab for more information.]
  4. Off-Campus Employment – Generally, not permitted except when authorized by USCIS for specific situations. 

More information about these employment categories can be found in this guide. To make sure you stay in lawful immigration status, speak with a DSO, and the Office of Student Employment if seeking on-campus employment, before applying to or accepting any work, internship, practicum, volunteer, or other practical training position, or before signing any employment, sponsorship, or Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract.

 

Unauthorized Employment

Unless authorized by by federal regulation, employment is not permitted for students in F-1 status. Please keep in mind that “employment” is any work performed or services provided (including self-employment) in exchange for money or other forms of remuneration or benefits (e.g., free room and/or board), or where compensation is required by law (Read more under the Volunteering tab. Working without payment is not the same as volunteering!).

Unauthorized employment is taken very seriously by U.S. immigration officials. Familiarize yourself with your F-1 employment (work, practical training, and volunteer) eligibility options and always contact your DSO before accepting any positions. Failure to adhere to employment regulations can result in the termination of your SEVIS record, having to depart the United States immediately, and risking denial of future work authorizations, employment, visas, permanent residency, or citizenship.

 

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

Currently, SEVP has not issued guidance on NIL and whether an F/M/J visa holder can participate in or earn income from NIL. Until clear or further guidance is provided, F-1 student-athletes should follow standing laws and regulations on employment. Speak with your P/DSO for more information.

 

Social Security Numbers

Before working in the United States, employees need to apply for a Social Security Number. To apply for a SSN, students in F-1 status must obtain a qualifying job. Read more information from the Social Security Administration about obtaining a social security card by International Students.

 

Employment Policies for Dependents

Immigration regulations do not permit F-2 dependents to be employed in the U.S. However, they may do volunteer work as long as there is no compensation of any kind (monetary or otherwise) and the F-2 dependent is doing a job usually done by volunteers, not paid workers.

 

For More Information…

You can read more about F-1 employment regulations on Study in the States and in the Code of Federal Regulations 8 CFR 214.2(9)(i).

On-Campus Employment

Students on an F-1 visa can work on campus in certain positions which benefit the HPU student body.

The guidelines for both international and non-international students are the same when it comes to campus jobs, but the timeline for beginning your first job may be delayed if you do not have a Social Security Number.

 

Requirements

On-campus employment is a benefit of the F-1 visa class, but it does come with some requirement that you should understand before seeking employment.

In order to be compliant with federal regulations, The locations considered “on campus” for the purposes of F-1 regulation compliance include:

  • Jobs located on HPU’s campus, including on-location commercial firms that provide services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore, cafeteria, or other restaurants; and
  • Jobs located off campus that are educationally affiliated with the school.

Additionally, the duties of the job must provide direct services to students. Those that do not provide direct services to students are not considered F-1 on-campus employment. For example, working with a construction company to build a new building on campus is not authorized employment even though the work takes place on HPU’s campus, as the employment does not provide direct student services.

Ask your DSO before applying to a job if the position satisfies the regulations for on-campus employment. You can find more information and guidelines for on-campus employment on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program webpage.

 

Work Schedule Allowance

During academic terms, from the first class day of the term (SEVIS Session Start Date) to the last class day of the term (Session End Date), F-1 students are permitted to work up to a total of 20 hours per week. Those who work more than one on-campus job must track their hours carefully so their total hours worked does not exceed 20 hours per week.

Between academic terms when not enrolled in classes, F-1 students can work up to 40 hours per week; however, the Student Employment Program’s policies restrict all student employees to a maximum of 25 hours per week.

On campus employment can begin up to 30 days prior to the first class date of the student’s program, and is authorized through the SEVIS Program End Date.

 

Finding On-Campus Employment

Check the job listings on campus by going to the Workday Portal and/or talk with professors or staff about possibilities for jobs. You can apply through Workday for any job that you think would be a good fit, but remember, to be compliant with F-1 regulations, the position must meet the definition for on-campus employment above and must directly serve HPU’s student body. Applicable jobs include positions in departmental offices, the library, Recreation Services, etc.

If you would like to work at a campus restaurant or retail location, information on applying directly with those partners can be found on the Student Employment Program page. In contrast to working for an on-campus office, students are hired by the commercial firm directly, not by HPU. It is important to know that most auxiliary services, such as Aramark or Budd Hospitality services, cannot be as flexible with their employees’ schedules. Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of accountability and responsibility.

Quick Links:

 

Preparing for On-Boarding

Once you’re hired, you’ll need to complete the on-board process with Human Relations. One requirement will be to complete the Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification, in which you’ll submit an I-9 and present specific documentation to satisfy relevant employment laws regarding work authorization.

As a non-immigrant student, you should plan to submit the following documents as an acceptable List A document:

  • unexpired foreign passport with which you entered the United States, and
  • recent Form I-94 indicating F-1 nonimmigrant status.

You should be prepared to also show your F-1 visa and most recent Form I-20 along with your Form I-94 to show your active nonimmigrant status as your admission is contingent on your duration of status.

Download a recent Form I-94 to submit with your Form I-9.

Off-Campus Employment

Off-campus employment is work that that takes place outside of the school’s campus. Generally speaking, off-campus work is not permitted while in the United States on F-1 active status. Three exceptions exist for F-1 students who are:

  • Experiencing an economic hardship.
  • Seeking special student relief due to emergent circumstances.
  • Participating in an internship with an international organization.

In order to be authorized for any of these three exceptions, students must be recommended by their P/DSO through SEVIS and then they must complete and submit the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Final approval will come from USCIS, along with your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Important Note: Employment cannot begin until all approvals have been provided and employment documents are received.

 

Severe Economic Hardship

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) defines “severe economic hardship” as a financial condition caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control that make it difficult for a student to continue education in the United States.

These financial conditions may include:

  • Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment through no fault of the student.
  • Substantial changes in the exchange rate or value of the currency upon which the student depends.
  • Inordinate increases in tuition or living costs.
  • Unexpected changes in the financial state of the student’s source of support.
  • Medical bills.
  • Other substantial and unexpected expenses.

To qualify for off-campus employment, the student must be able to demonstrate why on-campus employment is unavailable or insufficient to meet the student’s financial needs, which arise from unexpected circumstances. Read more from the Department of Homeland Security’s emergent circumstances.

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C) – Severe economic hardship for regulatory information. 

 

Special Student Relief Due to Emergent Circumstances

In special global circumstances (e.g., famine, war, economic downturn, etc.) the U.S. government may allow students from affected countries temporary special benefits. This practice is called Special Student Relief (SSR). One of the SSR benefits is to apply for off-campus employment. In these cases, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a notice in the Federal Register that gives timelines and details of the benefits.

 

Internship with an International Organization

Students who are offered an internship with an international organization may be eligible for an employment benefit. The internship must:

  • Be in the United States.
  • Be with a public international organization that falls within the International Organization Immunities Act, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 288 59 Stat. 669.

See 8 CFR 316.20(c) – International Organizations Immunities Act designations for a listing of qualifying organizations.

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(iii)– Internship with an international organization for regulatory information.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary authorization for practical training or employment directly related to a student’s major field of study. It is not a supplemental training experience but rather an “integral part of an established curriculum” meaning it is a required part of your degree or program of study. This includes alternate work/study, paid or unpaid internships, cooperative education experiences, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with HPU.

CPT cannot be authorized based on a student’s minor or general graduation credits.

CPT is only available to F-1 students after one year of full-time academic study while in active status on the current visa, although some exceptions exist for graduate students. Authorization must be provided before starting any work and students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) before being hired for paid positions.

Speak with your DSO about your CPT benefits before accepting any employment, internship, or other practical training positions. A job offer is required before being authorized for CPT.

Resources and Relevant Information

 

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary authorization for practical training or employment directly related to a student’s major field of study. Unlike CPT, OPT is designed to offer supplemental training experiences to a students degree program. It provides students who have fulfilled requirements of an academic program an opportunity to augment their learning with real-world experience. This typically takes place immediately follow the successful completion of a student’s degree program (known as Post-Completion OPT), but can be completed in part or whole before the completion of their degree (known as Pre-Completion OPT).

OPT is authorized for up to 12 months during a student’s degree program, and is a benefit that is awarded once to each degree level (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral) that a student completes in the United States. Students can apply for both pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT, but there are separate applications and authorizations for each opportunity. The cumulative OPT experiences cannot exceed 12 months, so a student completing a 3-month pre-completion OPT experience will only be able to apply for a 9-month post-completion OPT authorization.

Students in specific STEM fields who are authorized for post-completion OPT may apply for a 24-month STEM extension, which can bring the total employment authorization to 36 months.

OPT is only available to F-1 students after one year of full-time academic study while in active status on the current visa. Additionally, post-completion OPT is available only after successful completion of the degree.

OPT must be approved by both HPU and USCIS. Students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) and an approved Employment Authorization Document (EAD) prior to working. Speak with your DSO about your OPT benefits before accepting any employment, internship, or other practical training positions.

Once approved for OPT, students should create an SEVP Portal account so they may review and update their personal and employment information.

Note: the application to USCIS is lengthy and can take several months to be processed. Students can begin their application for post-completion OPT, or practical training done after you complete your degree, starting 90 days before their program ends. It is advised to begin early. A job offer is not required to apply for OPT.

Resources and Relevant Information

 

Internships (Paid or Unpaid) while Studying Abroad at HPU

While some opportunities may keep you in lawful status if the experience is a required part of a class in which you are enrolled, generally, the restrictions on an F-1 visa do not permit exchange and study abroad students to qualify for practical training or hold an internship.

 

Practical Training Policies for Dependents

Immigration regulations do not permit F-2 dependents to be employed in the U.S. However, they may do volunteer work as long as there is no compensation of any kind (monetary or otherwise) and the F-2 dependent is doing a job usually done by volunteers, not paid workers.

Volunteer Activity

High Point University values service and encourages students, faculty, and staff to volunteer. However, it can be difficult at times to know what is volunteerism and what is unpaid labor. Working without payment is not the same as volunteering. Employment laws and federal regulations are strict about fair labor. No one wants you to find yourself in a position that is performing unpaid labor that is being described to you as volunteerism.

F-1 students are permitted to volunteer, but their position:

  • cannot be for compensation or any type of remuneration,
  • cannot displace a genuine employee,
  • must be for non-profit organizations doing charitable or humanitarian work only,
  • must not be work for which they had previously been paid or for work for which they may be paid in the future.

If your volunteer experience meets all of these requirements, you may be permitted to participate in the volunteer activity and maintain your F-1 status.

However, if an experience is explained to you and it does not meet each of these requirements, F-1 regulations do not permit you to participate in the experience. Doing so would be considered unauthorized employment which would result in termination of your SEVIS record.

If you have any questions about volunteering, please speak with your P/DSO. We can help you identify what will be seen as volunteering, what might be seen as employment, whether a different employment authorization might help you participate and remain in status, or when you should refrain from participating.

Resources and Relevant Information

 

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