Approximately 30% of all international students choose to study in the USA. A combination of world-class institutions, state-of-the-art facilities, an excellent academic reputation and a diverse mix of cultures from all over the world makes it the number one destination for international students. Plus, due to its size, there's plenty of choice.
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Part-time work is a good way to make extra money, but you cannot rely on work as your sole income and must be able to prove that you have the funds to cover all major expenses.
Can I work whilst studying?
How many hours can I work?
With an F-1 and a J-1 visa you may be entitled to work up to twenty hours a week during term time, and up to 40 hours during the college vacations, according to the rules above.
Can I support myself with my earnings?
Although part-time work can be an extra help with your living costs, you should be able to pay your tuition fees and living costs whilst studying in the USA without working. You will need to prove that you have access to enough funds for your stay in the USA in order to be granted a student visa, and part-time work cannot be accounted for as part of these funds.
Can I do work placements?
There are a number of types of work placement you can undertake whilst studying in the USA:
The CPT is a temporary authorisation to work off-campus for the purpose of academic training. This is essentially academic training at a work site instead of a classroom. It may be paid or unpaid and you can ask for permission to complete your CPT full-time during the college vacation. In order to qualify for a CPT:
OPT is employment directly related to your field of study. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience in the profession you’re interested in, make key contacts for future employment and improve your resumé. It is split into two categories: pre-completion (whilst studying) and post-completion (after finishing your course).
All students on an F-1 may apply to undertake an OPT after their first academic year of study. The OPT can be full-time either during an annual vacation, after completion of a course or any other time when school is not in session. It can be carried out while school is in session, however, it must be part-time (no more than twenty hours per week) to comply with the working regulations of an F-1 student visa.
Firstly, you need to get an OPT recommendation from the DSO at the institution; this is the individual who is assigned to deal with immigration requests and concerns. Then you must apply to the USCIS to authorise the employment using an I-765 form which is downloadable from the USCIS website. There is a processing fee of $380. After your application has been processed and approved you will be sent an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD).
For more information about working during your period of study, please see the USCIS website students page.
Last updated: 1 July 2011
