• USA
Working while studying in the USA
243 Reads
3 min Read

Part-time jobs are considered very important by International students once they go abroad to study. There are several methods to earn some extra cash and interact with students from across the globe. Also, part-time jobs help you understand student life and culture. According to the American student visa guidelines, you can work only 20 hours per week during the classes and up to 40 hours per week while the classes are not going on.
Working part-time in the US as an international student has certain conditions such as the hours allowed to work, types of work including, etc. Keeping that in mind, we have fashioned this blog covering the key points that you need to know and remember while looking for a part-time job in the USA, along with the several part-time job options (on-campus and off-campus).
Job Regulations for International Students in the USA
There are two categories for part-time work in the USA for international students. Let’s have a quick look at this before discussing popular part-time jobs in the USA.
Working On-Campus With An F-1 Visa
Working on-campus is the easiest option for any international student in the USA looking for part-time work to make some extra money. Plus, it is the only method to work during your first academic year in the country. Working on-campus refers to work performed within the premises of a university. Rules about on-campus employment in the USA are as follows:
- Students must maintain a valid F-1 status
- A student would be restricted to work for only 20 hours per week.
- A student can work up to 40 hours of work per week during holidays and vacations.
Working Off-Campus With An F-1 Visa
You can work off-campus if you have completed your first academic year in the USA and hold a valid F-1 visa. You have three options:
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
This program lets you work in your study area, which could either be an internship or a job. In this case, you can work during and after the completion of your degree. The rules of OPT are established by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, which may change from time to time. General OPT requirements are as follows:
- You are eligible to apply for OPT after getting in the course for at least nine months. However, you cannot work until you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and have completed one year of study.
- The job should be related to the field of your major.
- Must maintain F-1 visa status.
- Should NOT have been in full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in the past 12 months or more.
- Part-time OPT decreases available full-time OPT by half.
- Full-time OPT can be done for up to 12 months in total.
- After completing your degree, OPT will let you work full-time, and it should be finished within 14 months after graduating. Applications should go only through USCIS before graduation is done.
STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension
International Students who have completed their studies in STEM fields can extend their OPT for 24 more months.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
An international student can work off-campus only if the degree program they have enrolled requires or practical training is essential. The rules related to CPT are:
- A student must be enrolled full-time for one year on valid F-1 visa status (excluding those whose courses need immediate CPT).
- Must have acquired a relevant job offer before submitting a CPT authorisation request.
- The job offer should be directly related to your field of study.
- No limit of work hours in CPT, be it part-time or full-time.
- You will be allowed for only part-time CPT during school.
Severe Economic Hardship
In this case, any international student holding an F-1 visa and facing "severe economic hardship" according to USCIS will be eligible to work off-campus while classes are going on and full-time during holidays.
- Students must hold a valid F-1 visa for at least one academic year.
- Must have a good academic record
- Evidence of economic hardship is to be provided.
- Ensure on-campus similar employment opportunities are not available at that point in time.
Some On-Campus part-time jobs for international students
Teaching Assistant |
Library Page |
Campus Ambassador |
University Campus Tour Guide |
Barista |
Computer Lab Technician |
Production Assistant |
University Campus Tour Guide |
Some Off-Campus Part-Time Job Options for International Students in the US
Customer Support Representative |
Translator |
Babysitter |
Store Associate |
There are certain USA Career and Work Rights that one should go through before searching out for part-time jobs in the USA.
We hope this blog helps you find a suitable part-time job for you. For queries related to studying in the US, get in touch with experts at Canam by requesting a callback to seek guidance.
Stay tuned for more updates and follow us on Instagram.
Get great articles direct to your inbox
The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.
Popular Universities to Study Abroad
World class education waiting for you.

Alliant International University - Los Angeles Campus
California, USA • 1 Programmes
Tuition Fee : USD 0-0 / year

University of South Wales - Cardiff Campus
Wales, UK • 46 Programmes
Tuition Fee : GBP 13000-14000 / year

Algonquin College - Perth Campus
Ontario, Canada • 7 Programmes
Tuition Fee : CAD 15000-26500 / year

Staffordshire University - Stoke-on-Trent Campus
England, UK • 151 Programmes
Tuition Fee : GBP 14500-20000 / year

Navitas Group - La Trobe University - Sydney Campus
New South Wales, Australia • 36 Programmes
Tuition Fee : AUD 0-0 / year

Mount Saint Vincent University
Nova Scotia, Canada • 60 Programmes
Tuition Fee : CAD 15000-17660 / year

Sprott Shaw College - Abbotsford College Campus
British Columbia, Canada • 22 Programmes
Tuition Fee : CAD 10000-27000 / year

Upper Iowa University - Madison Campus
Wisconsin, USA • 20 Programmes
Tuition Fee : USD 32589 -32589 / year
Blogs and Articles
Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.
Masters (MS) in New Zealand: Eligibility, Scope and Top Colleges for Indian Students
Updated on • Mar 31,2023 11:36 AM IST • New Zealand
Best Health Programs to Study in Canada in 2023
Updated on • Mar 31,2023 11:26 AM IST • Courses in Canada
How to choose the right country to study abroad
Updated on • Mar 29,2023 05:44 PM IST • Study Abroad
Dealing with stress while studying Abroad
Updated on • Mar 29,2023 05:05 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance
Difference Between OPT and CPT
Updated on • Mar 29,2023 01:33 PM IST • USA
Updated on • Mar 28,2023 01:36 PM IST • study in the UK
Canada September 2023 Intake: Timeline, Universities & Admission Requirements
Updated on • Mar 28,2023 10:29 AM IST • Study in Canada
Intakes in New Zealand 2023: Timeline, Courses, Universities Requirements
Updated on • Mar 27,2023 04:51 PM IST • New Zealand
Bachelor of Nursing Courses in Australia: Courses, Universities, Scholarship
Updated on • Mar 27,2023 02:00 PM IST • Australia
Engineering in Canada: Top Universities, Eligibility, Courses, Application Process
Updated on • Mar 27,2023 12:19 PM IST • Study in Canada
Bachelor's Degree in Canada: Top Courses, Universities, Scholarship
Updated on • Mar 25,2023 05:17 PM IST • Study in Canada
A Guide to the IELTS Exam: What is IELTS and how to prepare for it?
Updated on • Mar 24,2023 05:43 PM IST • Study Abroad
A Guide to calculating CGPA to percentage to study abroad
Updated on • Mar 24,2023 05:40 PM IST • Study Abroad
1 Year programs in Canada for International Students
Updated on • Mar 24,2023 05:20 PM IST • Study in Canada
How to Avail the Best Study Abroad Scholarships?
Updated on • Mar 23,2023 01:56 PM IST • Study Abroad
Updated on • Mar 23,2023 12:35 PM IST • Study in Canada
PTE Exam Dates 2023: Check Month-Wise Exam Slot Booking
Updated on • Mar 23,2023 12:06 PM IST • Study Abroad
Spring (January) 2024 Intake in the USA - Timeline, Universities & Admission Requirements
Updated on • Mar 23,2023 11:44 AM IST • USA
Guidelines for Canada Study Visas - How to Apply, Process & Documents
Updated on • Mar 22,2023 05:36 PM IST • Study in Canada
Why Australia is Better Than Other Countries for Study?
Updated on • Mar 21,2023 12:00 PM IST • Australia
Related Blogs and Articles
A little effort to provide an authentic and reliable content for keen readers!!
Difference Between OPT and CPT
Updated on • 29-03-2023 • USA
Spring (January) 2024 Intake in the USA - Timeline, Universities & Admission Requirements
Updated on • 23-03-2023 • USA
Updated on • 16-03-2023 • USA
Timeline for September 2023 Intake to Study in the USA: Deadlines and Universities Requirements
Updated on • 01-03-2023 • USA
Is Gap Acceptable for USA Study VISA?
Updated on • 23-02-2023 • USA
Timeline for USA Summer Intake: Deadlines and Universities Requirements
Updated on • 16-02-2023 • USA
IELTS Band Requirements for USA
Updated on • 02-02-2023 • USA
Updated on • 10-06-2022 • USA
Study in USA for Indian Students after 12th
Updated on • 03-05-2022 • USA
What are the Documents required for Applying to US Universities?
Updated on • 26-04-2022 • USA
What are the Different Cities in America like?
Updated on • 21-04-2022 • USA
Frequently Asked Questions about Study in USA
Updated on • 08-04-2022 • USA
How to Get a Scholarship to Study in USA?
Updated on • 25-03-2022 • USA
Updated on • 19-10-2021 • USA
Masters in International Relations, USA
Updated on • 13-10-2021 • USA
Updated on • 01-10-2021 • USA
Updated on • 20-09-2021 • USA
Updated on • 09-08-2021 • USA
The United States of America is Considered to Be a Land of Opportunities.
Updated on • 25-08-2020 • USA
How to Accommodate to American living while studying in USA?
Updated on • 31-03-2020 • USA