Employment Authorization
Student Employment & Internships
Employment Restrictions for F-1/J-1 visa status students:
- Any employment (paid or unpaid, on-campus or off-campus, including internships and volunteer positions) must be approved by the Office of International Student Services (ISS) before work begins.
- On-campus employment is permitted for up to 20 hours per week and requires authorization from ISS before work begins.
- Off-campus employment is not permitted, except for training authorized by ISS with documented approval before work begins.
Consequences of Unauthorized Employment:
- Working in the United States on F-1 visa status without authorization is a violation of F-1 status regulations and can lead to the termination of your SEVIS record.
- If your SEVIS record is terminated, you will lose your permission to remain in the United States, and you will be required to leave the U.S. immediately.
- Termination of a SEVIS record for unauthorized employment could jeopardize your ability to continue to pursue academic and career opportunities in the United States and prevent your ability to return to the U.S. in the future.
If you would like to work lawfully while on F-1 visa status:
- Contact ISS before applying for work.
- Receive authorization from ISS before starting any work.