International Student & Scholar Services
Employment
Federal immigration regulations limit employment for F-1 and J-1 students: the kind of employment, the number of hours per week and the periods of employment. You should verify that you have authorization before beginning in any form of employment.
definition of employment
For immigration purposes, employment is the exchange of services for any form of compensation, monetary or otherwise. Compensation can be hourly pay, a stipend, a tuition waiver, reduced rent, or a bus pass.
unauthorized employment
Unauthorized employment is a serious violation of immigration status and may result in the termination of immigration status or the loss of future immigration benefits. If an ISSS advisor has knowledge of the violation, they are obligated by federal regulation to terminate the student’s SEVIS record and legal status in the U.S.
If you have concerns about a violation of status, consult an immigration attorney (www.aila.org).
Off-Campus Employment
Volunteer Work and Unpaid Internships
F-1 and J-1 students may engage in unpaid volunteer activities, provided they receive no compensation for their services and the position is not one that would normally be paid. Unpaid internships may qualify as volunteer work and may not require a Curricular Practical Training or Academic Training authorization. If you are unsure if an unpaid job experience qualifies as volunteer work, please meet with an international student advisor to discuss the opportunity prior to beginning work.
Dependents
F-2 dependents (spouse and children) are not permitted to work on or off campus, but they may engage in volunteer work for which no compensation is received. J-2 dependents may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) through USCIS for employment authorization in one-year increments. An EAD may be used for on- or off-campus employment.