The USA is home to numerous established academic institutions that hold global appeal. Ivy League universities such as Harvard, Yale and MIT receive numerous applications from around the world each year. The cost of education, however, is not cheap and sometimes students might need to get a job to meet their expenses.
According to Statista, the US has hosted over a million international students in 2019-202. The US tends to favor domestic applicants when it comes to scholarships, so a large number of international students have to fund their education and living expenses with no assistance. This can be a difficult task without some form of revenue, but acquiring employment as an F-1 student can be a tricky issue to tackle.
What does F-1 status mean?
An F-1 Visa is a status that allows you to enter the US as a full-time student. This means that your main reason for being in the country is to go to school. To acquire this VISA, you must be enrolled in an institute that has been approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program. Established immigration lawyers can assist you with acquiring the necessary documents to achieve this status.
It’s important to note that an F-1 student is expected to primarily focus on their academic objectives and shouldn’t take part in any activities that would potentially change their status. A full-time student, by definition, is a student who generally takes on a minimum of 12 credit hours or more than half the course load of their curriculum.
You must record a steady attendance in the school you’re enrolled in or risk automatic disqualification from this status. Employment is also a tricky issue, as this technically changes your status from a student to an employee. As a foreigner, you need a work visa to be legally employed in the country.
When can you gain legal employment with an F-1 visa?
Although foreign students are generally expected to fund their academics without the need for gainful employment, there are limited scenarios where an F-1 student can find a paying position. Not very many people are aware of these opportunities, however, and as a result, they end up risking their status just to make ends meet.
If you’re a foreign student from South America, for example, you might not be aware of the various rules and regulations governing F-1 visa qualification. If you’re not sure of what kind of job you can get without worrying about visa disqualification, consulting Abogados de Inmigración can help clear up matters. Some of the potential paid jobs you can get as an F-1 student include:
On-campus employment – The easiest option available to foreign students looking for employment are jobs based within their campus. Students can apply for almost any job that’s available on their campus without having to get any special permission or notify the authorities.
Optional practical training (OPT) – OPT refers to temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s primary area of study. If you’re studying law, for instance, finding a job as a court clerk can qualify as an OPT. The two types of OPTs available to foreign students are pre-completion (where you can find a job after being enrolled for one year) and post-completion (where you can find a job after completing your studies).
International organization internships – F-1 students can also qualify for a paid internship from a recognized international organization. To qualify for this kind of employment, you will need a documented offer for the internship position from the organization. Some recognized international organizations include the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.