1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

Can I Work in the USA While Studying?

Can I Work in the USA While Studying?

November 2nd, 2021

The cost of studying in the USA can be expensive for international students, and really American students as well. Working while studying can be helpful to reduce the cost of your education and provide you applicable work experience. Many international students wonder, can I work in the USA while studying? The short answer is yes, international students can work in the USA while studying but there are some restrictions.

International students who have an F-1 and M-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus and in specified training programs. Students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year. On-campus jobs are student oriented such as working in the library, cafeteria, or student center.

Students can gain employment off-campus after completing their first academic year through programs specifically for international students seeking employment such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension, and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that allows international students in the United States to work temporarily up to 12 months. OPT can be completed both before or after completing your studies, but it’s important to remember that you are only allowed to work 12 months total including pre-completion of degree and post-completion of degree.

International students completing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are eligible to apply for 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT, beginning May 10th, 2016.

Curricular Practical Training is a program that temporarily allows international students to gain work experience directly related to their major through employment, paid or unpaid internships, or cooperative (co-op) education.

While you are studying in the United States you will be allowed to work with some minimal restrictions. Most colleges and universities can assist international students with finding employment on-campus and off-campus.

Follow us:
Written by

Brianna Burrows

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Finding His Place at Mission College
Finding His Place at Mission College
Main image for the article titled Chemical Engineering at the University of Arizona: A Student View
Chemical Engineering at the University of Arizona: A Student View
Main image for the article titled Study English near Boston, Massachusetts!
Study English near Boston, Massachusetts!
Main image for the article titled Loans for Students Seeking Master’s Degrees
Loans for Students Seeking Master’s Degrees

Check Out These Schools

University of West Georgia

University of West Georgia

$15,000—$20,000 Year

Bachelor Degree Masters
Contact
Rowan University

Rowan University

$15,000—$20,000 Year

Bachelor Degree
Contact
Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State University Moorhead

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

English Programs 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Masters
Contact

Related Stories

The Most Popular U.S. Majors Among International Students

Main image for the article titled The Most Popular U.S. Majors Among International Students
The difference between US & Canadian universities

Main image for the article titled The difference between US & Canadian universities
Top Ten Beautiful Canadian Universities

Main image for the article titled Top Ten Beautiful Canadian Universities
Most International Canadian Universities

Main image for the article titled Most International Canadian Universities

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for A cheaper, faster way to send money abroad

A cheaper, faster way to send money abroad

Join over 6 million people and businesses who get a better deal when they send money with the real exchange rate.

Read more
Partner service logo for The Michigan English Test for Higher Education Admissions in the U.S.

The Michigan English Test for Higher Education Admissions in the U.S.

Prove your English and achieve your goals with the Michigan English Test – widely recognized and available on your own schedule at a test center or from home.

Read more
Partner service logo for Find an Advisor

Find an Advisor

Study in the USA’s advisors can work with you to navigate the requirements to study abroad in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. We help you find the right school and apply.

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

I read the information found on StudyUSA.com and it helped me understand the process of applying in the USA. I have also talked to a StudyUSA counselor and she helped me with the things I struggle with like my essay for college application. StudyUSA give me the information I needed.

Anais Gardere Haiti

In the chaotic search of my dream university StudyUSA.com was the first really informative website I came across. I was provided with every piece of information I asked for and even more. Due to the well organized lists of colleges and accessible data about the set of requirements, tuition rates and program schedules it became easy to get oriented which university was the best choice for me. What is more, Student Relationship Manager Anna Castillo got in contact with me as soon as I signed up for StudyUSA.com and she regularly inquired about my position. Thanks to the cooperation with StudyUSA.com and it's professional team the challenging search of university became manageable and easily done.

Viktorya Avetisyan Armenia

StudyUSA showed me the ways and helped me choose the best school and State of Florida as my best option!! Thank you StudyUSA !!

Fernanda Contin Brazil

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2022 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.