Work in the USA
This makes it very important to have a good working relationship with other employees working with you, since you will be spending a lot of time together. It is not a difficult test, but you have to study for it ahead of time. If you have a disability or a special need that requires a reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process, you can email or inform your recruiter. Individuals featured on this site may include current or former colleagues.
If otherwise eligible, an F-1 student may continue to work on-campus with a pending application for reinstatement or change of status. To work in the U.S. temporarily, learn about nonimmigrant work visas and how to apply for a work permit. If you have the necessary education or skills, you may be eligible for a permanent worker visa to immigrate with your family to the U.S. There is also a CIEE Work & Travel USA community on Facebook where students can connect and share their journey of discovery with the world.
Homeland Security Investigations
The biggest mistake you can make is to apply for all job openings you see everywhere. Only 10% of U.S. entities offer visa sponsorship, and not in all departments and job categories. If you fall into one of the other exceptions above, you might be able to get a work visa or work authorization without needing any visa sponsorship from a U.S.-based employer.
- DSOs should endorse the student’s Form I-20 with a reference to the Federal Register notice that announced the emergency exception before allowing the student to work more than 20 hours a week.
- Off-campus work authorization requires case-by-case approval from USCIS.
- If the student’s means of support changes and the student now wants to list on-campus employment, a DSO must update the student’s record accordingly.
- We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly.
- However, the F-1 student’s total work hours for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours during the school term.
- A denied application ends the student’s employment authorization.
If you fall into one of the four first exceptions above, you do not need visa sponsorship, and our career advice below does not apply to you. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting a job and work visa in the USA. Even if you do not meet every requirement, apply if you have most of the skills. Sometimes, a volunteer position or an internship can lead to a paid job. You can usually talk directly to people who help with hiring for the company. You will not always get a response but you may get helpful information on upcoming opportunities.
Active F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. On-campus employment is work that F-1 students whose status is Active in SEVIS may apply for. If the job continues to be available, the student must apply for continued employment authorization six or more months before the authorization expires.
Location
Upwardly Global offers free help with professional job searches. The U.S. government offers free online training and employment programs. Some employers also want to see that you have experience in the USA. You can email, call, or fill out an online contact form. If you want to work for a specific company, but do not see any openings online, try reaching out directly.
The good news is that all America visas give you at least a 30-day grace period to travel around the States either before or after your job or internship – often both! Not all nationalities will qualify for every USA visa, so check the exact eligibility requirements for each experience below. This type of employment can be full-time or part-time. The DSO should then print the supporting Form I-20, sign pages 1 and 2 and give the form to the student. If the DSO decides to certify the student’s eligibility, the DSO must enter their recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
If a school has several campuses in the local area, may an F-1 student work at a different campus?
By crafting your USponsorMe resume, you can use our 400+ pre-written phrases, all result-oriented samples that look professional. Again, the types of positions you qualify for are related to the visa you qualify for. To do that, you’ll need to be extra careful because, in some conditions with some visas, you can not switch to other visas without a strong waiver request. But you should know that you can accumulate multiple visas.
A designated school official (DSO) at the transfer-in school must review the student’s circumstances and make new recommendations, if warranted. An F-1 student whose EAD has not expired may work at the transfer-out school up to the transfer release date, but not after. Employment authorization automatically ends if that student does not maintain status.
However, the student must be full-time student when the school is in session and maintain status. A denied application ends the student’s employment authorization. If an F-1 student has been working off-campus but has an expired current work authorization, may that student continue working while the new Form I-765 is pending? If USCIS denies an application for employment authorization, the F-1 student will receive a letter that explains the decision. If USCIS approves an F-1 student’s employment authorization application, they will send the student a Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document,” and a letter notifying the student of the decision.
A good way to accelerate your network building is to meet people physically at meetups, events, conferences, fairs, etc. Without a doubt, one of the most effective and underutilized methods of obtaining employment is personal networking. They might even be able to help you secure an interview for an open job in the USA for foreigners. So, it’s not only about the people who know you personally; it’s also about the people you know who can refer you to what matters. It happens a lot with my clients when I say “network.” They tell me they don’t have one in the USA each time.
As per 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(iii), the student must first obtain an internship offer with an international organization then work with the DSO and apply for an Employment Authorization Document with USCIS. Where can DSOs and students find recognized international organizations within the meaning of the International Organization Immunities Act (59 Stat. 669)? Commuter students may only engage in curricular practical training or post-completion optional practical training. An F-1 student may be eligible to apply for post-completion optional practical training upon graduation. The DSO must report this action to SEVP in SEVIS by terminating the student’s record for unauthorized employment. The student will have to file a new Form I-765 with supporting documents and fees, but does not have to wait a year before reapplying.
Audubon offers eligible full-time employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Explore America, earn $$ and get a bunkload of new skills. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, our JEN-setters tend to be directed by their industry and opportunities – so big cities like NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and LA are popular places to settle. For Work USA 12 months and Intern USA, our JEN-setters tend to be directed by their industry and opportunities – so big cities like NYC, Chicago, San Francisco and LA are popular… Most J-1 work and travel visas allow you to live anywhere in the USA. In line with Northern Hemisphere summer holidays, Summer Camp USA and Work USA 4 months run between May/Jun and Sep – with 30 days after your job or camp placement finishes to travel.
What does an F-1 student need to do to change on-campus jobs?
We offer many opportunities to help you gain new skills and experiences, develop as a leader, and grow your career. All students who wish to work must apply for a Social Security Number. Examples of on-campus employment include working at a university bookstore or cafeteria. There are limited work opportunities available in the United States for F-1 students.
- A good way to accelerate your network building is to meet people physically at meetups, events, conferences, fairs, etc.
- To apply for off-campus employment, you must explain your economic hardship situation and receive approval to work from your DSO.
- However, you do not qualify for the H-1B as you do not have a bachelor’s degree or significant experience in software development.
- It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
- The only reasons for granting work authorization for off-campus employment are economic hardship or emergent circumstances.
- Without a doubt, one of the most effective and underutilized methods of obtaining employment is personal networking.
Explore the National Park Service
For your resume to be ATS-friendly in content, you should ensure it sparty bet meets all the requirements of your desired job(s). Your resume should meet the American standard, be ATS-friendly on the form and content, and be result-oriented. For each job ad, the company receives an average of 250 applications.
For more information about training opportunities for international students visit our Training page. To apply for off-campus employment, you must explain your economic hardship situation and receive approval to work from your DSO. Off-campus employment is work that that takes place outside of a school campus. If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session. On-campus employment is specific to work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Learn more about applying for permanent and seasonal jobs in the National Park Service and other federal agencies.
What would you like to learn about?
Now that you know where to find visa job openings, Do I have any chance? We even have more accurate data as some sponsor employers post their jobs directly on our website. Our job openings are at companies currently open for visa sponsorship for the concerned open job. This will prevent you from hearing “Come back to us when you have a work authorization” or “We do not offer visa sponsorship.”

