F-1 Student Employment

F-1 visas are intended to enable international students to study in the United States, and there are strict employment restrictions for F-1 students while attending school in the U.S. For this reason, before being admitted to the U.S., you must have documentary evidence that you have the financial ability (e.g., present bank statements) to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying in the U.S.

If F-1 students do not follow the terms of their nonimmigrant status as stated in the regulations and accept employment off-campus without proper authorization, they are jeopardizing their lawful F-1 status, and their SEVIS record may be terminated. Once the SEVIS record is terminated due to unauthorized employment, students must depart the country immediately.

Therefore, F-1 students should always consult with an international student advisor at the Center for International Education before seeking any employment in the U.S.

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On-Campus Employment

F-1 students are generally eligible to work on campus while attending classes. The work does not have to be related to your field of study.

Inform the Center for International Education of your employment offer on campus. An advisor will verify that you are eligible for on-campus employment (i.e., confirm that you are maintaining non-immigrant status and that the employment meets the regulatory criteria for on‑campus employment).

You may only be employed 20 hours per week or less on-campus during the fall and spring terms and cannot hold two paid on-campus positions at the same time. You may work full-time (20+ hours) during breaks and your annual vacation term (summer term). If summer is your first term at HCC, then your on-campus employment will be limited to 20 hours per week as well. F-1 students are not eligible for federal work-study jobs.

Off-Campus Employment

Off‑campus employment is for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond their control. Students are eligible for off-campus employment after they have been in F-1 status for one full academic year at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school.

The Center for International Education must first recommend a student for off-campus employment on the Form I-20. The student must then file a Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization,” with USCIS. If approved by USCIS, the student will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS.

The student may not begin employment until they have received an EAD. Similar to on-campus employment, the student may only be employed 20 hours per week when school is in session, unless eligible for an exemption under emergent circumstances as recognized by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of off-campus employment authorization which is granted through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The purpose of OPT is to allow you to gain real-world experience through a job that is directly related to your field of study (academic major).

You are eligible for a maximum of 12 months of OPT and may be granted authorization while you study at HCC (pre-completion OPT; limited to part-time employment of 20 hours per week or less) and/or after you’ve graduated (post-completion OPT).

This program is available only to students who have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year.

Students must consult with their advisor at the Center for International Education to determine if they are eligible for OPT and receive an updated I-20 before filing an application with USCIS.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization which allows F-1 students to engage in off-campus employment directly related to their field of study. Per U.S. federal regulations, CPT must be an integral part of your curriculum or academic program. At HCC, this means you need to earn course credit for your employment. Employment on CPT may include internships (paid or unpaid), practicums, cooperative education or any other type of off-campus employment related to your major.

This program is available only to students that have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year.

Students must consult with their advisor at the Center for International Education to determine if they are eligible for CPT and be approved by the CIE and the program manager before they can begin employment.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to participate in your community and help people where there is need. You donate your time with an organization whose primary purpose is civic, charitable or humanitarian in nature.

As an F-1 student, you may volunteer while you study in the United States, but you must maintain your F-1 student status by complying with Department of Homeland Security and rules and regulations as well as state labor laws.

If you plan on volunteering, please remember that you cannot receive any form of compensation or payment from your volunteer or internship activity.

If the volunteer activity is a position for which an employer would otherwise officially hire someone, you cannot volunteer in that same activity. You may work there only with the required employment authorization.

Volunteering should not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session. We recommend that students wishing to engage in volunteering seek the guidance of their CIE advisor before engaging in the activity.

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