International students who are studying in the United States are allowed to work in certain circumstances. However, there are restrictions on how many hours they can work while they are enrolled in school.
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), international students in F-1 status are eligible to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. They can also work full-time during official school breaks, such as winter break or summer break.
Off-campus employment is also available to international students, but it requires authorization from USCIS. International students who have been in F-1 status for at least one academic year and who are in good academic standing are eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows students to work off-campus in a field related to their major for up to 12 months. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students may be eligible for an additional 24 months of OPT.
International students may also be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows them to work off-campus as part of their curriculum. CPT must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and USCIS.
It is important for international students to understand that working without authorization from USCIS can result in serious consequences, including deportation and being barred from returning to the United States. Additionally, it is important to balance work and studies, as working too many hours can negatively impact academic performance and cause stress and burnout.
In conclusion, international students in the United States are allowed to work part-time on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. During official school breaks, they can work full-time on campus. Off-campus employment is also available with authorization from USCIS, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). It is important for international students to understand the regulations and restrictions surrounding employment and to balance their work and studies to ensure academic success.
