Employment for F-1 Students
What is Employment?
Employment is any type of work performed or service provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit, regardless of the name (e.g. internship, short-term contract, scholarship, helping out at a family business, unpaid work, etc.).
Employment may be paid or unpaid, as long as it does not violate U.S. labor laws.
F– 1 students working without authorization may face serious consequences to their legal status. The student’s legal status may be affected immediately or in the future.
Work authorization is given by the Designated School Official (DSO) on your I-20 for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or by approval notice and EAD card receipt from USCIS for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or other Off-Campus Employment. If a DSO becomes aware that an F-1 international student is working or has worked without proper authorization, he/she is required to report the offense to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which may result in termination of their SEVIS / I-20 record, immediately or in the future.
Employment Categories for F-1 Students:
On-Campus Employment
An F-1 student is eligible to work On-Campus if they are in Active SEVIS status. On-Campus work must take place at Marymount University. Examples of possible On-Campus jobs include working at an office, library, tutoring center, dining hall, bookstore, etc. at Main Campus, Ballston Center, or 4040 Center. (Note: Starbucks and MedStar Urgent Care located within the Ballston Center building are not considered On-Campus.)
For information about how to apply for an On-Campus job and requirements for F-1 students, visit the On-Campus Employment webpage.
Off-Campus Employment
Students may request approval to participate in off-campus employment through:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) such as paid or unpaid internship, practicum, student teaching, clinical, etc.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- OPT STEM Extension (STEM-OPT Extension)
- Other Off-Campus Employment: such as Severe Economic Hardship, Special Student Relief, Internship at International Organization
ISSS offers CPT, OPT, and OPT STEM Extension workshops throughout the year. Please visit ISSS MU Engage for the latest schedule.
You can learn more about employment regulations on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.
10/01/2024
