Working in the United States

For more information about training opportunities for international students visit our Training page. To apply for off-campus employment, you must explain your economic hardship situation and receive approval to work from your DSO. Off-campus employment is work that that takes place outside of a school campus. If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session. On-campus employment is specific to work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Learn more about applying for permanent and seasonal jobs in the National Park Service and other federal agencies.

Simple Hiring Process

We offer many opportunities to help you gain new skills and experiences, develop as a leader, and grow your career. All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number. Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university bookstore or cafeteria. There are limited work opportunities available in the United States for F-1 students.
However, an F-1 student may work for a contractually affiliated company such as a school bookstore, because it provides services to students. For example, an F-1 student cannot work for a construction company, even if the job site is on the campus. For example, if your school contracts with a food service company, an F-1 student can work for the company at school facilities but not for the same company at any off-campus locations. The questions above on “What qualifies as on-campus employment for an F-1 student?” and “What are the basic guidelines for on-campus employment?” define the parameters for on-campus employment. Not complying with these guidelines for on-campus employment may be a violation of status that could result in the F-1 student having to leave the United States.
The good news is that all America visas give you at least a 30-day grace period to travel around the States either before or after your job or internship – often both! Not all nationalities will qualify for every USA visa, so check the exact eligibility requirements for each experience below. This type of employment can be full-time or part-time. The DSO should then print the supporting Form I-20, sign pages 1 and 2 and give the form to the student. If the DSO decides to certify the student’s eligibility, the DSO must enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

• It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
• The process starts when an F-1 student asks the DSO’s permission to seek employment in an off-campus job.
• However, you do not qualify for the H-1B as you do not have a bachelor’s degree or significant experience in software development.
• Employment centers offer free help to find a job.
• Without a doubt, one of the most effective and underutilized methods of obtaining employment is personal networking.
• A good way to accelerate your network building is to meet people physically at meetups, events, conferences, fairs, etc.
• To apply for off-campus employment, you must explain your economic hardship situation and receive approval to work from your DSO.

What happens if USCIS denies an application for employment authorization?

When an F-1 student transfers to a new school, on-campus employment is available to the student only at that school after the record release date. An F-1 student who is enrolled in school, maintains status and follows the guidelines for on-campus employment may continue to work. Employment on-campus has to be for the school or for a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. Find internship and volunteer opportunities with the National Park Service for high school, college, and graduate school students.
An F-1 student must show an ability to afford the costs of school and living expenses before entering the United States and should not plan to work off-campus. An F-1 student needs to talk to their DSO before changing jobs. The F-1 student may work full-time during those periods when school is not in session or during the student’s annual break. An F-1 student may only work on-campus after the program end date if continuing the education at the next program level at the same school. The job must be physically located on the school’s campus or off-campus at the site of an educationally affiliated organization. The definition for on-campus employment is in 8 CFR 214.2(9)(i).
They also offer services such as job counseling, resume assistance, and access to computers. Introduce yourself and ask about the jobs available. Most of these websites will require you to build an online resume before applying to a listed position. Job search engines can also help you search for a job by location, experience, and even salary.

• An F-1 student may be eligible to apply for post-completion optional practical training upon graduation.
• Whether you’re a visiting student or an employer, CIEE delivers unmatched support and the best international exchange experiences.
• To be sure you are engaging directly with American Express about job opportunities, always confirm or apply for any open roles directly on the official American Express Career Site.
• Unfortunately, this means this job does not match your profile.
• However, the employment must be for an employer educationally affiliated with your school.

The Perfect J1 in America – USA Summer Jobs

Yes, work authorization continues as long as the EAD has not expired and the student otherwise maintains F-1 status. An F-1 student may apply to have the fee waived. A DSO should make sure the student reads the form carefully and follows the directions. However, the employment must be for an employer educationally affiliated with your school. Off-campus work authorization requires case-by-case approval from USCIS. Generally, it is employment that is for economic need and does not necessarily have to relate to the student’s academic course of study.
Audubon offers eligible full-time employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Explore America, earn $$ and get a bunkload of new skills. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, our JEN-setters tend to be directed by their industry and opportunities – so big cities like NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and LA are popular places to settle. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, our JEN-setters tend to be directed by their industry and opportunities – so big cities like NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and LA are popular… Most J-1 work and travel visas allow you to live anywhere in the USA. In line with Northern Hemisphere summer holidays, Summer Camp USA and Work USA 4 months run between May/Jun and Sep – with 30 days after your job or camp placement finishes to travel.

F-1 International Intern

Now that you know where to find visa job openings, Do I have any chance? We even have more accurate data as some sponsor sparty bet employers post their jobs directly on our website. Our job openings are at companies currently open for visa sponsorship for the concerned open job. This will prevent you from hearing “Come back to us when you have a work authorization” or “We do not offer visa sponsorship.”
If you still do not see any jobs, you might fall into one of those possibilities below. If there is no job, try with other job title keywords and your skills keywords. It will automatically and instantly calculate the visa(s) you qualify for and for what position(s) / job fields. If you are flexible or open to any jobs, don’t think you can fill all the jobs you see on USponsorMe.

What People are Saying

These categories include EB-2 and EB-3 visas for professionals with advanced degrees and skilled workers. There are five categories of immigrant visas for permanent workers. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. We walk them through the process with clear instruction and assistance for everything from obtaining a visa to travel advice. Each candidate is pre-screened for English skills, a positive attitude, and team spirit. We make hiring easy through our own overseas job fairs, dedicated recruiters, and virtual hiring services.
Upwardly Global offers free help with professional job searches. The U.S. government offers free online training and employment programs. Some employers also want to see that you have experience in the USA. You can email, call, or fill out an online contact form. If you want to work for a specific company, but do not see any openings online, try reaching out directly.

How does USCIS adjudicate an application for off-campus employment?

If you are a refugee, your resettlement agency can help you look for a job and provide some of these services. Employment centers offer free help to find a job. You can also join online groups and community centers focused on employment in your area. You can speak to your neighbors and other people in your community. Share with them that you are looking for a job, and ask for recommendations. You should also be careful giving out personal information, like your social security number or credit card.
If USCIS does not approve or deny the Form I-765 within 90 days of receiving the application, the F-1 student may apply for interim employment authorization. For more information, see the question on When is off-campus employment available? An F-1 student must wait to receive the approval from USCIS before beginning off-campus employment. In addition, the F-1 student’s SEVIS record automatically updates to show the off-campus employment approval. The only reasons for granting work authorization for off-campus employment are economic hardship or emergent circumstances. The process starts when an F-1 student asks the DSO’s permission to seek employment in an off-campus job.
However, the student must be full-time student when the school is in session and maintain status. A denied application ends the student’s employment authorization. If an F-1 student has been working off-campus but has an expired current work authorization, may that student continue working while the new Form I-765 is pending? If USCIS denies an application for employment authorization, the F-1 student will receive a letter that explains the decision. If USCIS approves an F-1 student’s employment authorization application, they will send the student a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” and a letter notifying the student of the decision.