F-1 Student Employment Options

Employment is defined as any type of work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food, or any other compensation. Students must not assume that they are automatically eligible to work in the United States. Work authorization of one type or another is needed for an international student to work in the U.S. USCIS considers unauthorized employment to be the most serious violation of F-1 status. 

It is important that you understand the type of employment F-1 students are eligible for and how to apply, because unauthorized employment (even for one day) will violate your legal F-1 status in the U.S. and jeopardize your eligibility for change of status to a professional working visa like an H-1B in the future. You must consult the ISO and be authorized before accepting an offer and beginning to work. 

The F-1 visa limits employment for international students to three possible options (click on the links for further information):

1. On-Campus Employment 

F-1 students are eligible for on-campus employment opportunities within the dates listed on their I-20/DS-2019. On-campus employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week when classes are in session. It may be more than 20 hours per week during breaks. On-campus employment includes non-Federal-Work-Study positions, graduate assistantships, and working for contracted services operating on campus, like Sodexo. The available on-campus positions are quite limited and it is a competitive process. Open positions are posted on ChargerLink on the Career Development Center pages in myCharger. 

After being offered a campus job, the student goes to the Student Employment Office to fill out the required paperwork. If the international student doesn’t yet have a Social Security Number (SSN), they can use the job offer letter and a letter from the ISO to apply for the SSN. Learn more about applying for an SSN here. 

2. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

CPT is a type of employment authorization available to F-1 students who are engaged in an off-campus internship or practical training employment that is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program and directly related to the student’s major. Students must be enrolled in a course within their major in which an internship or practical work experience is required. CPT cannot be used for off-campus employment unrelated to course work. Click on the link to read more about the requirements for CPT and how to request it.

3. Optional Practical Training (OPT) 

OPT is a 12-month employment authorization available to F-1 students who have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one academic year. Click on the link to learn more about OPT and how to request it.  

  • STEM Extension (STEM OPT): Students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics may be eligible for a 2-year STEM extension, depending on the support of their employers. Review the list of academic programs and CIP codes here to determine if you are eligible for the STEM extension. Click on the STEM Extension link to learn more. 

 

All F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus at University of New Haven part-time while school is in session and full-time during the summer and official school breaks.

  • Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
  • Employment can be more than 20 hours per week during the summer and official school breaks.
  • On-campus employment may only occur between the program start date and the end date on a Form I-20.
  • If you obtain paid on-campus employment, you must apply for a Social Security Number. For instructions on how to apply, please review the information on the SSN page. 
  • J-1 students must receive written authorization from the ISO or their program sponsor prior to beginning on-campus employment.
  • F-1/J-1 students hired for an on-campus position must complete the necessary hiring paperwork with University of New Haven’s Human Resources office prior to beginning work.

On-campus positions are limited, so on-campus employment is quite competitive. For most positions, you will be required you submit an application online, including your resume and cover letter. Some positions may also include an interview.

To view the available positions:

  1. Visit the Career Development Center page.
  2. Then, click Login to Charger Link (the University online career management system) on the right side of the page.
  3. You will be prompted to create an account. Use your University email address to register
  4. You may also upload your resume/CV.
  5. Once you have created your profile, you can select “Position Type” drop-down menu and select “On-Campus Employment.”
  6. You can view the various open positions and apply within Charger Link.
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