Employment

General Information | On Campus | Off Campus | FAQs

F-1 Students

 

F-1 visa holders who are
registered as full-time students may work no more than 20 hours per week on-campus during the regular academic year. Registered F-1 students do not require authorization from the INS or the Office of International Students & Programs (ISP) for on-campus employment. However, you are required to report immediately to the office of ISP upon such employment.

 

A student on a 50% Research Assistantship (RA-ship) or a 50% Teaching Assistantship (TA-ship) may not work additional time on or off-campus during the school year. However, full-time on-campus work is allowed during breaks between quarters and during summer quarter if the student was registered for fall, winter, and spring quarters.

 

(NOTE: Students on RA/TA-ships or Fellowships are contractually bound and are not always permitted to work full-time during breaks between quarters. Please contact your department for more information on this policy.)

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

You may work on campus provided:

 

you are maintaining F-1 status,

you do not work more than a total of 20 hours per week (including any off-campus work you may have been authorized to perform) while school is in session

and you do not displace a U. S. resident.

 

Jobs which qualify as "On-Campus Employment"

 

1. Employment by Your School
On-campus work performed for your school is usually acceptable, whether it is employment in the library, the computer center or the housing office, or work required by a scholarship, fellowship or assistantship.

 

2. Other Employment on Your School's Premises

Work performed on your school's grounds is "on-campus employment" as long as the employer provides direct services to students. Employment in your school bookstore or cafeteria, both of which provide direct services to students, is acceptable even if the bookstore or cafeteria is operated by a private, commercial firm. Work for a construction company which is erecting a campus building is not acceptable since the construction company does not provide direct student services.

 

A Note of Caution

 

While USCIS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in F-1 status, working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. You should therefore consult with your nternational student adviser before taking up any employment.

 

Failure to Comply with Employment Regulations

 

It is your responsibility to comply with all Immigration regulations which apply to F-1 students. ISP only has responsibility for advising and counseling you regarding your responsibilities. If you fail to comply with your responsibilities, you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students and, in some situations, you may be subject to deportation.