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Employment Overview

International students, with an F-1 or J-1 visa, are allowed to work in United States. Here’s a brief introduction to working in the United States as an F-1 Student.

What options do I have?


Location
Options
Qualification
Working hours
On-campus
Student worker All students Part time
Graduate assistant Graduate students Part time
CPT All students before graduation Part time / Full time
Off-campus
CPT All students before graduation Part time / Full time
Pre-completion OPT All students before graduation Part time
Post-completion OPT All students after graduation Full time

Part time: maximum of 20 hours/ week
Full time: maximum of 40 hours/ week

Student workers and Graduate Assistants (GA) are part-time jobs and work with Staff, Faculty, or Professors on campus.

To find a Student Worker position on campus, use .

  • The way to check: My»ÆÉ«µçÓ° -> Resource: Handshake -> “Jobs” on the top -> On campus

To find a GA position on campus, these are a few ways to learn about hiring information:

  • On Human Resources Website -> Employment -> Employment Opportunities -> Search Jobs: Select Position type: Graduate Assistance

CAREER SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

Employment overview for International Students

Your »ÆÉ«µçÓ° experience will extend beyond your time on campus. You will carry your expertise in your chosen field of study along with the practical skills needed to adapt to an ever-changing world.

More than 300+ employers recruit »ÆÉ«µçÓ° students annually. With 40,000+ alumni, you will have great networking connections. For more information, please contact careerservices@lewisu.edu or go to the Career Services website.

Employers value intercultural competence in new hires. Read how international students can connect their international experiences and career readiness.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

F-1 students may ONLY work on-campus. Any off-campus jobs MUST be authorized by a Designated School Official and be listed on your I-20 (CPT, OPT). Do not accept employment in any job that is off campus and is NOT listed on your I-20. Working without employment authorization is a serious violation of F-1 visa status and can have severe consequences.

Potential consequences of accepting a paid or unpaid practical training opportunity without proper authorization may include:

  •  and loss of your F-1 benefits, including on-campus employment and OPT.
  • Potential accrual of 
  • Ineligibility for future visas that allow for work authorization, such as H-1B, O-1, TN, or permanent residency.
  • Denial of your USCIS application for OPT.

You should meet with an ISGSS advisor as soon as you become aware that you have violated your F-1 status.

TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT


CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)

  • CPT is alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, clerkship, or optional/required internship or practicum, available only while the student is in F-1 status before completion of the educational objective.

PRE-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (PRE-OPT)

  • Pre-completion OPT: Occurs before a student's program end date. This option is not common and requires consultation with International Student and Global Scholar Services before the application process.

POST-COMPLETION OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (POST-OPT)

  • Pre-completion OPT: Occurs before a student's program end date.

OPT STEM EXTENSION

  • The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field.

EMPLOYMENT BASED ON ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

  • USCIS makes case-by-case decisions for off-campus employment for students who can show that new, unexpected circumstances beyond their control have created severe economic hardship.

SPECIAL STUDENT RELIEF (SSR) APPLICATION

  • SSR may be authorized for students whose home countries are impacted by natural disasters, wars and military conflicts, and national and international financial crises. SSR becomes possible when DHS issues a Federal Register Notice.

QUESTIONS? Email isgss@lewisu.edu.

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