If you are an F visa holder, you and your dependents cannot work in the United States without permission from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is illegal for employers to hire an F visa holder or their dependents without USCIS permission. The only exception to this law is work on-campus (see explanation below) or work with prior authorization from USCIS.

If you are interested in employment options, please review the information below and schedule an appointment with the International Student Coordinator to discuss.

If you work without authorization:

If you or your dependents work without authorization and are caught, you and their F status will be terminated and reported in the SEVIS database. After termination, your options are few. You can reapply for the I-20, go home and attempt to return with a new F visa. You can also request reinstatement in the US by completing USCIS paperwork and paying the filing fee.

On-Campus Employment:

An F visa holder can work on campus without having to obtain permission from USCIS. On-campus employment is work on the Midlands Technical College campus providing services to the college. Commercial firms on campus providing services to the students, such as food services, are included. Other possible on campus employment options are the library, the bookstore, or academic success center. Tutoring students on your own is NOT considered acceptable employment.

If you are employed on campus, you may work up to 20 hours per week during the school term and 40 hours during vacation times, including summer.

If you have a question concerning on-campus employment, please contact the International Student Coordinator.

Off-Campus Employment:

An F visa holder and their dependents may be eligible to apply to USCIS for work authorization after nine months of continuous enrollment. Below are listed the types of work authorization.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

Curricular Practical Training work authorization allows international students to participate in internships, cooperative education, or practicums, which are degree requirements. The International Student Coordinator only with the recommendation of the academic department can grant Curricular Practical Training. A form further explaining CPT is available at this website.

Curricular Practical Training can be granted only if the student will receive academic credit for the work experience. This academic credit must count towards course requirements for graduation.

Economic Hardship:

Work authorization based on unforeseen severe economic hardship may be available to a student whose financial situation has drastically changed since first enrolling. Employment based on economic hardship is restricted to 20 hours per week during the academic year with permission to work full-time during vacation periods and summer. The following guidelines will help you to determine if this is an option for you to pursue:

• You must be enrolled full-time and unable to find work on campus.
• You must be able to demonstrate that economic hardship was severe and beyond your control and that you did not know of this situation when applying for admission. USCIS will require you to prove this with documentation.
• You do not have to be employed in a job related to your field of study and can work at any off-campus location.

Optional Practical Training (OPT):

Optional Practical Training work authorization is designed to provide international students with F-1 visas opportunities for temporary employment in their fields of study before or after graduation. Students maintain F-1status while on Optional Practical Training since it is considered part of the program of study.

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