F-1 & J-1 Visa Students

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) limits employment of F-1 and J-1 students; however, there are several situations in which an international student would be eligible to work off-campus.

When an employer hires an international student, the employer and the student want to ensure that they are in compliance with the Immigration Reform, Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) and other immigration regulations. Hopefully, this web page will help clarify which situations international students can work for U.S. employers.

Practical Training for F-1 Visa Holders:
Practical training is a legal means by which F-1 students can obtain employment in areas related to their academic field of study. Students, in general, must have completed one academic year in F-1 status and must maintain their F-1 status in order to be eligible for practical training.

Practical training is divided into 2 categories:
Curricular practical training prior to completion of studies can be authorized by the student's school for F-1 visas. For curricular practical training, the student's employment authorization is on the I-20 form specifying place of employment and duration of that employment. Curricular practical training does not require work authorization from the INS.

Optional Practical Training can only be authorized by the INS based on a recommendation from the student's international student advisor. The term optional refers to students' options with regard to when they want to use all or part of the total of 12 months of practical training. Optional practical training can be authorized by the INS:

Optional practical training may be granted for a maximum of 12 months calculated on a daily basis with part-time employment. Students who have been granted optional practical training permission from the INS will be issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by the INS