Earlham Home

Employment Regulations

Employment for international students in the United States is restricted by law.

On-Campus Employment for F-1 and J-1 students

Students who receive authorization to work on-campus from the College (as recorded in your acceptance information) and who maintain status may, according to CIS regulations, work no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session and no more than 40 hours per week during breaks. The College further restricts the number of hours of on-campus employment during the academic year to 10 hours per week and 40 hours per week during breaks. On campus employment has been defined by immigration regulations as employment by the institution you are attending (working for an Earlham College office) or by an off-campus firm that provides services to students (such as Sodexho, our food service provider on campus).

Finding an on-campus job

You should check the Career Development Center for current job openings. First year students often have limited options available to them.

Off-Campus Employment

CIS restricts employment off-campus for F-1 and J-1 students. Limited work options will be explained in more detail during the International Student Orientation. F and J visa holders may not work at any time off-campus without official permission. Work includes performing any kind of services in exchange for compensation. Internships that provide room and board in exchange for services fall into this category. If you, at any time, consider working off-campus, you must consult an International Student Advisor.

Students may apply for permission to work off-campus in the following circumstances:

Optional Practical Training

F students who maintain full-time status for an academic year are eligible for employment directly related to their field of study. This form of employment is limited to 12 months. The work may take place part-time while school is in session or full-time during breaks or in the year directly following graduation. Most students choose to utilize practical training after graduation. Contact an International Student Advisor to learn more about this program. You must apply for this form of employment within 90 days before and 60 days after the end date on your I-20, you may only work once you have received an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS (the process for receiving this document takes approximately 90 days), you must have completed the employment within 14 months of graduation. Go to the Optional Practical Training website for more information.

Academic Training

J students are eligible for employment directly related to their field of study at any time during their program, or commencing within 30 days of completion of studies. This form of employment is limited to 18 months. J-1 students must receive written approval for academic training from an international student advisor prior to beginning employment.

Curricular Practical Training

This form of employment is training for F-1 students and must be directly related to the field of study. It must be a required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school and must be an integral part of an established curriculum (listed in the curriculum guide) in the student’s major area of study.

You can download this CPT form to learn more about how to apply. You will also need to ask your faculty advisor to fill out this CPT recommendation form, after you have discussed the position with him/her and provided a copy of the job description.

Economic hardship

If an F-1 student has maintained status for nine months, experiences economic hardship “due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control”, and cannot secure sufficient employment on campus, s/he may apply to CIS for off-campus employment based on economic hardship. See an International Student Advisor for details.

Qualified International Organizations

F-1 students may also apply for work with certain recognized international organizations. This work does not count against the one year of practical training. See an International Student Advisor for details.