Employment Options for F-1 Students

Employment is any work performed or a service provided in exchange for compensation. As an F-1 student, most employment requires authorization. Working without authorization has serious consequences, so please contact the International Student Services Office if you have any questions about accepting employment.

On Campus Employment

An F-1 student is generally permitted to work on campus while they are enrolled full time in a course of study at HFC and are maintaining their F-1 status.

Students may work up to 20 hours/week on-campus during the academic year, full-time on-campus during vacation periods (on-campus means work performed on the school's premises). You may contact the Career Services Office on campus if you are interested in working on campus.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary off-campus employment authorization for F-1 students engaging in training that is an integral part of the established curriculum and directly related to their academic program.

CPT is only available prior to the completion of a degree program, and must not delay the completion of a student's program. A request for CPT is subject to review and authorization by a Designated School Official (DSO) in the International Student Services Office.

CPT eligibility requirements:

  • Be in valid F-1 status
  • Are pursuing a degree program (ELI students are not eligible)
  • Have completed one year (2 semesters) of full-time academic study in the U.S.
  • Have a job offer at the time of the application
  • Receive credit for CPT through an internship or co-op course within their program

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional practical training (OPT) is a temporary employment authorization for training that is directly related to a student's program of study. Students can be authorized for OPT before completing their academic program (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic program (post-completion). The DSO will make a recommendation for OPT, then the completed application and fee should be submitted to US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) for review. If approved, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) may be issued.

Students can receive a cumulative 12 months of OPT authorization. Any time spent doing pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the allowable 12 months of post-completion OPT.

Pre-Completion OPT eligibility requirements

  • Be in valid F-1 status
  • Are pursuing a degree program (ELI students are not eligible)
  • Have completed one year (2 semesters) of full-time academic study in the U.S.
  • Have not engaged in more than 12 months of full-time CPT at the current degree level

Post-Completion OPT eligibility requirements

  • Be in valid F-1 status
  • Have completed one year (2 semesters) of full-time academic study in the U.S.
  • Have completed all the requirements for your degree program, or be in the final semester of degree completion
  • Have not engaged in more than 12 months of full-time CPT at the current degree level
  • Have not previously been authorized for Post-Completion OPT at the same degree level

Off-Campus Employment

A student may receive authorization for off-campus employment that does not have to be directly related to their academic course of study, under the following special circumstances:

  • Severe, unforeseen economic necessity
  • Employment based on the Special Student Relief program
  • Internship with an International Organization

Severe, unforeseen economic necessity

The student must prove to USCIS that employment is necessary due to severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond their control, that arose after obtaining F-1 status. A student must be in valid F-1 status and have completed one year (2 semesters) of full-time academic study in the U.S.

The student must work with the DSO to determine that either they are unable to get on-campus employment, or the pay from available on-campus employment is not sufficient to meet financial needs. The DSO may make a recommendation for off-campus employment due to severe economic necessity, then the completed application and fee should be submitted to USCIS for review. If approved, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) may be issued for up to one year.

Employment based on the Special Student Relief program

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant off-campus employment and suspend certain regulatory requirements of students impacted by the emergent circumstances of the identified country, territory, region or group, listed in the applicable Federal Register notice.

This collection of SSR benefits can be understood as a "package" that generally consists of on-campus or off-campus work authorization, and an authorization to reduce one's course load if employment authorization is obtained.

Internship with an International Organization

This off-campus employment benefit allows students to work in the U.S. for a recognized international organization within the meaning of the International Organization Immunities Act.