Overview
There are strict rules defining when employment is permitted for a student in F-1 or J-1 status. Off-campus employment must be approved by either USCIS or ISSS before students are legally allowed to work. Working in the U.S. without employment authorization can cause immigration records to be terminated.
Employment is defined as work (your time, energy, or services) performed in exchange for compensation (monetary, in product or services, etc.) Where the work is not considered on-campus employment, work authorization must always be approved before you start working. The two most common types of off-campus work authorization for F-1 students are CPT and OPT.
To address a few common questions:
- Virtual employment in the U.S. (even when the employer is not based in the U.S.) is considered off-campus employment and requires authorization, no matter where the company/employer is located.
- Providing your class notes to a site or organization that pays you for your notes is also considered employment and is not a legal form of employment for F-1 students.
- Unpaid internships may be considered employment. Talk to an ISSS advisor before accepting any unpaid internship offers!
Review the links below and contact an ISSS advisor about authorization before you accept employment.
