Employment for F-1 and J-1 Students
An F-1 student may accept on-campus employment at the institution they are authorized to attend as long as the student is in good academic standing and is enrolled for a full course of study. This on-campus employment is limited to 20 total hours per week during the academic year and may be full time during vacation periods. All other work for any kind of remuneration is considered to be employment and is not authorized unless the student has a work permit under one of the approved employment options discussed above.
Research assistants and teaching assistants are not considered to be "employed" in the sense of the immigration law, as their work is considered to be a part of their academic program. However, assistantship hours are counted in the 20-hour per week limit of on-campus employment.
J-1 Exchange Visitors in the student category may be granted permission to accept on-campus employment by written approval of the responsible officer of their sponsoring agency prior to beginning work. CSU may not authorize work permission for another sponsor. The Exchange Visitor student may be authorized to work on campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and up to 40 hours a week during official school breaks and annual vacation, as long as the student is in good academic standing, is engaged in a full course of study, and has received advance and written approval from the responsible officer for the specific employment. Such approval may be valid for up to twelve months but is automatically withdrawn if the student's program is terminated.
A student who has been in the United States in valid F-1 status for one academic year may be eligible to apply for off-campus work permission based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. The burden of proof is on the student to show how their financial situation has changed. A frivolous application will not be considered. Application is made through ISSS, Laurel Hall for forwarding to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) in Lincoln, Nebraska.
F-2 dependents are not permitted to accept employment under any circumstances. J-2 dependents may apply for permission from BCIS to accept employment if they make their request in writing, stating that the income will be used only for the support of the J-2 dependents and not for the support of the J-1 Exchange Visitor. An application packet containing detailed information is available in the available as a handout in the Resource Room at the Office of International Programs, Laurel Hall.
All students are strongly urged to heed these regulations carefully. Working without authorization is a serious violation of your immigration status and can be dealt with severely by BCIS. Protect your status and do not expose yourself to penalties caused by unauthorized employment. The income will be of little value to you if you are not permitted to complete your program in this country.
