Part Time Job Rules in USA for Pakistani Students

Every student going abroad for studies thinks that he will manage a part time job with studies so he can meet his expenses. It’s not easy as it sounds. It is hard enough manage studies of international scope but to do a job with it, it requires real hard work. But students still do it and they manage, if they can, so can you.

For abroad students who study in USA, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) have set a few rules for them if they want to work part time. Most of the abroad students in USA hold F-1 Visa. There are many restrictions on student visa to work in USA. There are two major categories of jobs you can do:

1.     On-Campus Job

2.    Off-Campus Job

a.    Optional Practical Training

b.    Curricular Practical Training

c.    Economic Hardships

d.    International institutions

On-Campus Job:

On-campus job are the jobs where you can work inside the university premises. This type of job is freely allowed and does not require any extra permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service USCIS Regulations. But you will not necessarily get a job related to your field of study. You must get guidance and clearance from your International Student Office before applying for or accepting any employment.

There are just following rules:

1.     You can work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session.

2.    You can work full-time on campus during holidays and vacations if you intend to register for the next academic semester.

3.    The employment may not take a job away from a U.S. resident to give it to you.

Off-Campus Jobs:

As its name defines, it’s a work done outside the university or college premises. For this type of job you some restrictions and can only do in certain cases. Off-campus Jobs. There are four categories in Off-Campus Jobs.

Optional Practical Training:

A student with valid F-1 visa is permitted to work off-campus but you need to have authorization from USCIS and International Student Office. You can apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) after being enrolled for at least 9 months and after that it takes up to 90 days for USCIS to process you application.

Following are the Rules for OPT:

1.     Employment must be related to the student's major course of study.

2.    Student must maintain lawful F-1 status.

3.    Student must apply for OPT before completion of all work towards a degree.

4.    Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT

5.    OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total – part-time OPT (while still in school) reduces available full-time OPT by half of the amount of part-time work. For example, if you work part time for 6 months, you can work full-time for up to 9 months.

OPT before completing a degree:

1.     Students must be enrolled in school full-time. You cannot switch to part time studies.

2.    Students may only work 20 hours per week while school is in session.

3.    Students may work full-time during summer and other breaks

4.    Student may work full-time after completion of all coursework, if a thesis is still required and student is making normal progress towards the degree.

OPT after completing a degree:

1.     After completion of your degree, OPT work must be full time (40 hours/week).

2.    All OPT must be completed within 14 months after completion of your degree.

3.    Applications for post-completion OPT must be received by USCIS before the completion of the degree.

4.    If you leave the country after completion of your degree, but before receiving your EAD and obtaining a job, you may not be readmitted. You can leave the country after completion of your degree if you have your EAD and a job, but make sure you bring everything that you’ll need to get back in.

Curriculum Practical Training:

CPT employment is defined as “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.” You can get paid for CPT employment. Prior authorization by your school’s International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required.

Following are the Rules for CPT:

1.     You must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F-1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT)

2.    The CPT employment must be an integral part of your degree program or requirement for a course for which you receive academic credit

3.    You must have received a job offer that qualifies before you submit your CPT authorization request

4.    Your job offer must be in your major or field of study

Severe Economic Hardship:

It’s a conditional case when an abroad student is economically suffering from very difficult times. Student has to apply for EAD from USCIS with the help and guidance of your International Student Office then he’s allowed to 20 hours a week in study session and full time in breaks or vacations.

Following are the Rules for this Permission:

1.     Be in valid F-1 status for at least 9 months.

2.    Be in good academic performance

3.    Provide evidence of economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control.

4.    Show that on-campus employment is neither available nor sufficient.

5.    Make a good faith effort to locate employment on-campus before applying.

Employment with an International Organization:

You can work with a recognized international organization. That International Organization must be on official State Department list. Here is a list of Recognized International Organization. It does not have the universal application of OPT or CPT. Only students with a job offer and sponsorship from one of the listed organizations are eligible. 

Rules for Employment with an International Organization

1.     The student must have an internship or employment with a “recognized international organization.”

2.    The employment must be within the scope of the organization’s sponsorship and within the student’s field of study.

3.    Student must be in valid F-1 status for at least 9 months.

6.    Student must be in good academic performance.

Here we have a complete guide and links of Jobs in USA for International Students. Find yourself a job!

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