Students with an F visa are not allowed to work off-campus during their first year of studies. They are eligible to work on campus with certain restrictions, such as the number of hours per week.
After the first academic year, F students have three options for off campus employment:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): internships fall under this category
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)
Students with an M visa are not eligible to work while they are completing their studies but are eligible for practical training after graduation. For more information about working while studying in the U.S., click here.