What are On-Campus and Off-Campus Part-time Jobs in the US for International Students?

Studying in a foreign university is often a costly endeavor, especially if you are studying in the US. Your expenses typically include tuition fees, accommodation, food, health insurance, transport, extra study material, etc. There’s a good chance that these expenses might exceed your budget, or you may have to spend additional money due to some unexpected situations.

However, you can ease your financial burden by working part-time in on-campus and off-campus jobs and internships. Overseas students with an F1 or M1 visa can work part-time in the USA subject to certain rules. Working while studying in the USA can also help you gain relevant work experience, especially after you complete your first academic year.

Read on to understand how international students can do a part-time job in the USA. 

Working with an F1 Visa 

Students with an F1 visa can work part-time in the USA while studying. However, there are distinct rules and job opportunities for 1st year and other students.

Working as a 1st-year student

On-campus part-time jobs in the USA for 1st-year overseas students include:

• Jobs performed on the academic institution’s premises directly for the institution, including jobs associated with grants and assistantships.
• Working for on-site commercial organizations providing direct services for students on campus, e.g., jobs in the bookstore, cafeteria, etc.
• Off-campus jobs in locations educationally affiliated with the academic institution, i.e., jobs related to the institution’s curriculum or postgraduate research projects. 

Popular on-campus jobs for 1st-year students include teacher’s assistant, research assistant, peer tutor, cafeteria assistant, department assistant, etc. The students need to follow the rules given below while working in on-campus jobs:

• Students need to have a valid F1 visa to work.
• During school sessions, students can only work for 20 hours a week.
• You can work full-time in your on-campus job during holidays and vacations if you plan to register for the next year.
• An on-campus position should not take the job away from a US resident. 

Working as a 2nd year

Once you’ve completed your 1st academic year, you can take up certain off-campus jobs designed to help students gain relevant work experience in their chosen fields. The following work-study programs in the US allow students with an F1 visa to work in off-campus jobs:

• Optional Practical Training (OPT): This temporary employment enables international students to work in their major subject of study for a maximum of 1 year. An OPT authorization allows students to work before and after they have completed their studies.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This work-study program enables overseas students to work paid internships, cooperative education, and employment training programs for a specified period. It helps the student get relevant work experience in their field of study.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM): The STEM OPT Extension program allows a 24-month extension for students with valid OPT permits. However, students need to fulfill certain requirements to be eligible for STEM.

 2nd year overseas students must follow the rules given below to work in off-campus jobs:

• You should have a legitimate F1 visa.
• 2nd-year students cannot legally work without a proper OPT or CPT work permit. 
• If you have severe financial problems, you can work off-campus after providing adequate proof.
• Your job should be related to your subject or part of your course outline.

Working With an M1 Visa

M1 visa allows you to only work in temporary jobs for practical training after finishing your studies or for every four months of your course. The training job should not be available in your resident country, must only be recommended for practical training, and should be associated with the chosen course of study.

Within 90 days of your program end date, you should apply for a work authorization document (EAD) by filing Form I-765 and getting approval from your designated school official. An employment permit is given for one month for every four months of the full-time course completed. Employment authorization will not extend beyond six months. It’s best to seek appropriate counseling to understand the rules of working part-time with an F1 and M1 visa.

Get the Assistance You Need 

Do you want to study while doing a part-time job in the USA to support yourself financially? Imperial Overseas Educational Consultants offers expert counseling and guidance to students wanting to study in the USA and work off-campus or on-campus jobs. We can help you understand the job opportunities available for students and their eligibility criteria to help you make an informed decision. Contact our USA Counseling team to learn how you can complete your overseas studies with minimum financial liabilities today!

Get in touch with us!