Employment On and Off Campus
Students in F-1 or J-1 status may accept employment under certain conditions. Please note, this page is meant for informational purposes only - if you have questions about employment or would like to determine your eligibility, please attend our workshops or contact an international student advisor.
F-1 Students
On-Campus Employment
All F-1 students are permitted to work on-campus in student-serving roles. Students do not need to report their on-campus employment.
During the Fall and Spring semester, and during other terms where a student is enrolled full-time, students are limited to 20 hours or less of work per work week. Violation of this restriction could mean termination of your status, so please be sure to stay aware of hours you work each work week. A work week not defined from Sunday to the following Saturday. A work week starts each Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and ends on the following Friday at 11:59 p.m. Students should not work more than 20 hours within each of these time periods. While classes are not in session and students are on an official break, students are eligible to work over 20 hours per week. Before the start of every break, Cranwell will email out the dates and times that students can work additional hours. Do not work more than 20 hours a work week until you know the dates of the break sent out by Cranwell.
For more information on on-campus employment and what counts as this type of work, please visit the On-Campus Employment Page.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is temporary off campus work authorization that students can apply for with Cranwell International Center that allows students to pursue practical training directly related to their field of study while they are still earning their degree. CPT is defined to be 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 Virginia Tech. Students must obtain authorization before they can begin this type of work. If you have a question on whether you could receive CPT authorization for a type of employment, please reach out to our International Student Advisors. Students can have Part-Time CPT (20 hours or less a week) or Full Time CPT (More than 20 hours a week).
If you would like to participate in CPT or if you would like to learn more, please visit our CPT page.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training is work authorization in the U.S. that provides students with the opportunity to gain further skills and knowledge related to their major area of study. OPT is typically used after a student graduates in the form of Post-Completion OPT. If students would like to participate in OPT while they are a current student (Pre-Completion OPT) then they should reach out to our International Student Advisors. OPT has an initial period of one year, with an additional two year extension for students with STEM-eligible degrees for the STEM Extension. Employment must be related to a student's field of study on the student’s I-20. Students will need to apply to receive OPT authorization with Cranwell International Center and USCIS.
For more information about requirements and applying for Post-Completion OPT, please visit our Post-Completion OPT page.
For more information about requirements and applying for the STEM Extension, please visit our 24-Month STEM OPT Extension page.
J-1 Students
On-Campus Employment
J-1 students are permitted to work on-campus. Students must report their on-campus employment each semester to the Cranwell International Center.
During the Fall and Spring semester, and during other terms where a student is enrolled full-time, students are limited to 20 hours or less of work per work week. Violation of this restriction could mean termination of your status, so please be sure to stay aware of hours you work each work week. A work week not defined from Sunday to the following Saturday. A work week starts each Saturday at 12:01 a.m. and ends on the following Friday at 11:59 p.m. Students should not work more than 20 hours within each of these time periods. While classes are not in session and students are on an official break, students are eligible to work over 20 hours per week. Before the start of every break, Cranwell will email out the dates and times that students can work additional hours. Do not work more than 20 hours a work week until you know the dates of the break sent out by Cranwell.
For more information on on-campus employment and what counts as this type of work, please visit the On-Campus Employment Page.
Academic Training
Student in J-1 status are permitted to accept employment directly related to their field of study through academic training. Academic training may not exceed a cumulative total of 18 months, or the period of full course of study in the US - whichever is less. Additionally, your J-1 program sponsor must approve your academic training.
For more information about requirements and applying, please visit our Academic Training page.
Needed For All Types of Employment
Obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN)
International students in F-1 and J-1 status who are currently engaging in or have obtained authorized employment must obtain an SSN Number. Students are not eligible to apply for an SSN unless they obtain permissible employment. Students can obtain an SSN by applying with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
For more information about requirements and applying, please visit our SSN page.
Tax Implications
As a nonresident F-1 or J-1 student, if you have an on or off campus position, you will need to file tax forms each year with the IRS. It is your individual responsibility to understand and meet your tax obligations. U.S. tax laws can be complex and confusing and the laws that apply to internationals are not the same as those that apply to U.S. citizens.
Please visit our tax page for more information.
Unauthorized Employment
International Students are only allowed to participate in employment under specific conditions. International students are not allowed to work off-campus without authorization for any type of position. Students cannot receive authorization to work off-campus for roles not related to their major area of study. This would include any work that is done while the student is physically located inside the United States, no matter how the payment is made if there is one. Students could not work remotely for any off-campus employer without authorization. If you are unsure whether you are about to participate in unauthorized work, please reach out to an International Student Advisor before you begin. Volunteer work could also be considered employment if it is done on a regular basis and/or is related to your major area of study and/or if there is any compensation involved.
Other Employment
International current students who return home during school breaks are allowed to work at their home country for employers of any type based in their home country. Students could not continue to work for these employers once they return to the United States.
Career and Professional Development
Need help finding employment? Want to learn more about building a resume, maximizing your networking skills, how to dress for an interview, and more? Don't miss upcoming events and opportunities by checking the Career and Professional Development website!