Employment Regulations
Students on F-1 and J-1 visas are not eligible to work in the United States without prior authorization; this includes any work that provides any form of compensation (wages, food stipends, travel allowances, housing stipends, etc.). Illegal employment will result in a loss of status, often requiring that the student leave the United States. If you ever have any questions about employment, please speak to an International Student Adviser.
Explore the information below to learn more about employment for students on visas.
4.) Students with J-1 visas are required to report on-campus employment every year.
Click here to report on-campus employment as a J-1 Student.
To learn more about on-campus employment, including how to look for and apply for a job, available resources, and links to necessary paperwork (including applying for a Social Security Number), please visit the Student Employment page on the Center for Career and Community Engagement website.
Explore the information below to learn more about employment for students on visas.
On-campus employment is limited by federal regulations and Earlham policies. While students are never allowed to work off-campus without prior authorization, students who have received a Work Award as part of their financial aid package are eligible to do many of the College's on-campus jobs. If a student has received Work Award, it will be noted in their admission letter and on their Form I-20.
On-Campus Employment Basics:
1.) Earlham policy states that students may not work on-campus more than 10 hours per week while school is in session. Additionally, USCIS regulations state that students with visas cannot work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in loss of status requiring that the student leave the United States immediately.
2.) On-campus employment has been defined by immigration regulations as employment by the institution you are attending or by an off-campus firm that provides direct services to students.
3.) Students with F-1 visas are granted automatic permission to work on-campus.
On-Campus Employment Basics:
1.) Earlham policy states that students may not work on-campus more than 10 hours per week while school is in session. Additionally, USCIS regulations state that students with visas cannot work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in loss of status requiring that the student leave the United States immediately.
2.) On-campus employment has been defined by immigration regulations as employment by the institution you are attending or by an off-campus firm that provides direct services to students.
3.) Students with F-1 visas are granted automatic permission to work on-campus.
4.) Students with J-1 visas are required to report on-campus employment every year.
Click here to report on-campus employment as a J-1 Student.
To learn more about on-campus employment, including how to look for and apply for a job, available resources, and links to necessary paperwork (including applying for a Social Security Number), please visit the Student Employment page on the Center for Career and Community Engagement website.
Students on F-1 visas are ineligible to work off-campus in the United States without prior authorization; this includes any employment that provides any form of compensation (i.e. wages, food stipends, travel allowances, housing stipends, etc.). If you ever have any questions, ask an International Student Adviser.
1.) Curricular Practical Training (CPT) provides authorization for off-campus work/internship experience that is an integral part of an established curriculum. The work must be directly related to the student’s major and the experience must fulfill a Major or General Education requirement. CPT usually requires earning academic credit, unless the requirement being fulfilled is not credit-bearing.
2.) Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides up to 12 months of off-campus employment authorization. Employment must be directly related to the student’s major and can occur either during a student’s program (pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (post-completion OPT). Students with majors in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are eligible for a 24-month OPT STEM Extension, or a total of 36 months of OPT work authorization.
1.) Curricular Practical Training (CPT) provides authorization for off-campus work/internship experience that is an integral part of an established curriculum. The work must be directly related to the student’s major and the experience must fulfill a Major or General Education requirement. CPT usually requires earning academic credit, unless the requirement being fulfilled is not credit-bearing.
2.) Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides up to 12 months of off-campus employment authorization. Employment must be directly related to the student’s major and can occur either during a student’s program (pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (post-completion OPT). Students with majors in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are eligible for a 24-month OPT STEM Extension, or a total of 36 months of OPT work authorization.
Students with J-1 visas are eligible for employment directly related to their field of study at any time during their program, or commencing within 30 days of completion of studies. This form of employment is limited to 18 months or 1/2 the length of the program, whichever is shorter. J-1 students must receive written approval for academic training from an international student adviser prior to beginning employment. Click here to complete the J-1 Academic Training Request.
1.) Severe Economic Hardship - If an F-1 student has maintained status for at least nine months and their financial situation drastically changes “due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control", s/he may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship. Contact an International Student Adviser for details.
2.) Qualified International Organizations - F-1 students may also apply for work with certain recognized international organizations. This work does not count against the one year of practical training. Contact an International Student Adviser for details.
2.) Qualified International Organizations - F-1 students may also apply for work with certain recognized international organizations. This work does not count against the one year of practical training. Contact an International Student Adviser for details.