For immigration purposes, employment is the exchange of services for any form of compensation, monetary or otherwise. Compensation can be hourly pay, a stipend, a tuition waiver, reduced rent, or a bus pass.
Federal immigration regulations limit employment for F-1 and J-1 students in terms of:
types of employment
the number of hours per week
length of employment
You should verify that you have authorization before beginning any form of employment.
Students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status must receive prior authorization from ISSS (or the program sponsor, if different, for J-1 students) or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to engaging in off-campus employment. The type of employment authorization you may receive will depend on the nature of the employment, your immigration status, and the relationship of the employment to your academic program.
18 months total for UG + Master's, 36 months for doctoral degree. Given for max amount allowed or duration of program, whichever is less.
Program Sponsor
Internship/practical training in field of study before or after completion of studies
Economic Hardship
None. Given in one-year increments
USCIS (F-1) or Program Sponsor (J-1)
Work authorization in unforeseen financial situations
More Information
Curricular Practical Training
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizes an F-1 student to engage in an on- or off-campus paid training that is integral to or required for the academic program.
Employment authorization for economic hardship may be given when unforeseen circumstances beyond a student's control create a serious financial burden.
