Working as an F-1 student: on-campus jobs, CPT and OPT

Step 1 — Talk to your DSO before any job

Your DSO is the school official who updates your record in SEVIS, the government’s student database (SEVIS Help Hub — OPT). The U.S. government takes illegal work very seriously. If your DSO learns you are working without permission, they must report it: your SEVIS record is terminated, you have to leave the U.S. immediately, and you may not be allowed to return (Study in the States — Working).

“Work” means more than a paycheck. You can’t start paid or unpaid practical training without authorization (SEVIS Help Hub — Employment overview). Starting your own business in the U.S. also counts as work, so it needs OPT (Study in the States — Training).

Rules are moving in 2026. Check before you plan:

• CPT is under closer review. In August 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) told schools it had seen a rise in CPT authorizations that don’t meet the rules, and that CPT can’t be authorized just so a student can work (ICE — SEVP message, Aug. 12, 2026).
• New OPT fees are only a proposal. On October 8, 2026, DHS proposed new fees for F students who want OPT (Federal Register). Comments are open until November 9, 2026, and DHS may change the rule afterward (Study in the States — OPT fees proposal).
• A new admission rule is on hold. A DHS final rule published on July 17, 2026, would change how long F students may stay, including for OPT (Study in the States — Final rule quick facts). On September 14, 2026, a federal court postponed it, and USCIS says it is following “the previous regulatory provisions” until further notice (USCIS — I-765). See keeping your F-1 status.

Any of this can change quickly. Confirm your own dates with your DSO.

Step 2 — Choose the type of work that fits

On-campus jobs

• What counts: work at your school that serves students, like the bookstore or cafeteria, or at an off-campus site educationally affiliated with your school, such as an affiliated research lab. A construction job on campus doesn’t count (ICE — Employment).
• When: no one-year wait. You may start up to 30 days before your program begins; tell your DSO first (ICE — Employment).
• Hours: no more than 20 hours a week, across all your jobs, while school is in session; full time during breaks and annual vacation (ICE — Employment).

Curricular practical training (CPT)

• What it is: an internship, co-op or practicum that is an integral (required) part of your curriculum, through an agreement between the employer and your school (SEVIS Help Hub — CPT). SEVP says it must be required of every student in that curriculum, American or foreign (ICE — SEVP message, Aug. 24, 2026).
• When: usually after one full academic year of full-time study, unless your graduate program requires earlier training; not in English language programs (SEVIS Help Hub — CPT).
• Details: you need the position first. Each authorization covers one employer and set dates, part or full time, and you still need a full course load during the term (SEVIS Help Hub — CPT).
• Trade-off: 12 months or more of full-time CPT ends your OPT eligibility at that degree level (SEVIS Help Hub — OPT).

Optional practical training (OPT)

• What it is: temporary work directly related to your major, up to 12 months, before and/or after you finish your studies. Time used before reduces the time left after (USCIS — OPT). You can get 12 months at each higher degree level (Study in the States — Applying).
• Pre-completion OPT: after one full academic year; 20 hours a week or less while school is in session, full time when it isn’t (USCIS — OPT).
• Post-completion OPT: at least 20 hours a week (USCIS — OPT). You don’t need a job offer to apply (SEVIS Help Hub — CPT).

The 24-month STEM OPT extension

• Main requirements: a bachelor’s degree or higher on DHS’s STEM Designated Degree Program List, from an accredited, SEVP-certified school; a current period of post-completion OPT; and an employer enrolled in E-Verify (USCIS — STEM OPT), the online system employers use to confirm you can work in the U.S. (Study in the States — E-Verify).
• Training plan: you and your employer complete Form I-983 and give it to your DSO (Study in the States — Applying). The employer must offer at least 20 hours a week and formal training (STEM OPT Hub — Eligibility), and you can’t be your own employer (Study in the States — Training).

Off-campus work for severe economic hardship

• What it is: off-campus work after an unexpected money problem beyond your control, such as losing financial aid through no fault of your own, a big currency drop or large uninsured medical bills (ICE — Employment).
• Conditions: one full academic year in F-1 status, good academic standing, and on-campus work that isn’t available or isn’t enough. USCIS decides case by case; approval lasts one year, with up to 20 hours a week during the term (ICE — Employment).
• Emergencies: in crises like war, DHS can announce Special Student Relief for students from certain countries (SEVIS Help Hub — Off-campus).

Step 3 — Get your DSO’s approval in SEVIS

• On-campus job: it isn’t recorded in SEVIS (SEVIS Help Hub — Employment overview). Your DSO confirms the job qualifies and gives you a letter, which you take, with a letter from your employer, to Social Security to apply for a number (ICE — Employment).
• CPT: your DSO authorizes it in SEVIS for one employer and gives you a Form I-20 endorsed for CPT; you don’t file anything with USCIS (Study in the States — Applying).
• OPT, STEM OPT or hardship work: your DSO recommends you in SEVIS and gives you an endorsed I-20, which you sign (Study in the States — Applying; SEVIS Help Hub — Off-campus). This is a recommendation, not permission yet.

All students who work must apply for a Social Security number (Study in the States — Working). Our Social Security number guide explains how.

Step 4 — Apply to USCIS when your type requires it

For OPT, STEM OPT and hardship work, you file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with your endorsed I-20, the fee and the supporting documents (Study in the States — Applying; ICE — Employment). For how the card itself works, see work permits explained.

Filing windows:

• Pre-completion OPT: up to 90 days before you complete a full academic year (USCIS — OPT).
• Post-completion OPT: from 90 days before to 60 days after your program end date, and within 30 days of your DSO’s recommendation (USCIS — OPT). Post-completion OPT must end within 14 months after your program end date (Study in the States — Applying).
• STEM OPT extension: up to 90 days before your OPT expires, and within 60 days of your DSO’s recommendation (USCIS — STEM OPT). If USCIS receives it after your OPT ends, it will be denied (Study in the States — Applying). If you filed on time and your OPT expires while you wait, your permission to work is automatically extended for 180 days; the extension ends once USCIS decides (USCIS — STEM OPT).
• Hardship work: within 30 days of your DSO’s endorsement (ICE — Employment).

If your OPT application arrives before the DSO’s recommendation or more than 30 days after it, USCIS will deny it, you lose the fee, and you must apply and pay again (SEVIS Help Hub — OPT).

Then wait for the card. You may start only after USCIS approves your application, you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and its start date arrives (Study in the States — Applying).

Step 5 — Report changes and watch your limits

• On OPT: report your employer, and any change of name, address or job, within 10 days, to your DSO or through the SEVP Portal (Study in the States — Applying; SEVIS Help Hub — OPT).
• Unemployment limits: 90 days in total on post-completion OPT; 150 days with STEM OPT, counting the days already used (SEVIS Help Hub — Unemployment counter). With no employer in your record, you count as unemployed (SEVIS Help Hub — OPT).
• On STEM OPT: confirm your details with your DSO every 6 months, even if nothing changed; send self-evaluations at 12 months and at the end (STEM OPT Hub — Reporting). A new employer must be in E-Verify before you start, and you submit a new I-983 within 10 days (STEM OPT Hub — Reporting).
• Changing schools or degree level ends OPT. Your OPT authorization ends automatically, and you must stop working on that EAD (USCIS — OPT).
• H-1B petition? If an employer files one for you, ask your DSO about the “cap-gap” extension (USCIS — OPT).

Working also means tax paperwork; see tax residency for newcomers and your first U.S. tax return.