spacer
Click here to go to the Seattle Central Community College website
Click here to go to the International Education Programs homepage
Study Programs Admission Advising Immigration Student Life
spacer

WORKING IN THE U.S.

WHAT IS EMPLOYMENT?

The U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. immigration regulations define employment as any service in exchange for any type of payment or compensation. For example,

  • money paid for working,
  • a free meal after volunteering,
  • cheaper rent in exchange for babysitting services, or
  • coffee cards for tutoring a high school student
    • are viewed by U.S. immigration as EMPLOYMENT

ON CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT:

The actual physical location of the school you are currently attending (the school that issued your I-20 form) is considered on campus. However, you may work for a company operating on your campus providing direct services to students. For example, employment at the SCCC Bookstore, which is owned and operated by Barnes & Noble, is regarded as “on campus”. Although you do not need authorization from the U.S. government to work on campus, please see an advisor at the ISC to make certain you are eligible.

F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full time during breaks and vacations. Please note, however, that the Seattle Community College District Human Resources has additional restrictions related to hourly work.

OFF CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT:

All off-campus employment is forbidden without permission from U.S. immigration (DHS). Several types of off-campus employment authorization exist. Please plan ahead and consult with an advisor at the ISC before you begin any type of off-campus employment, as some types of work authorization require 3-4 months for approval. Finally, you you must be in legal F-1 status to work on or off campus; work permission is a benefit and will be revoked if you fall out of status.

EMPLOYMENT

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT

REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

On-Campus Employment

On-campus paid job of any kind (i.e. library, computer lab) for 20 hours per week or less when school is in session, and full time during vacations or breaks.

Enrolled/attending school full time and in status.

Curricular Practical Training [CPT]

On or off campus paid or unpaid) internship or employment offered for credit through institutionally-sponsored cooperative education, internship, or work/study programs.

Please consult with an IEP advisor to determine how CPT will affect your program completion.

Enrolled/attending school full time and in status for at least 9 months (including vacations) in a college-level program. ESL (SCIE) students do not qualify.

Internship must be a part of your program, such as a required internship.

Requires endorsement on your I-20 from an International Student Advisor.

An internship agreement and/or a letter from an employer (on an official letterhead) is required for approval.

Warning: After 1 year of full time CPT you are no longer eligible for Optional Practical Training.

Pre-Completion /
Post-Completion Optional
Practical Training [OPT]

Paid employment for up to 12 months after graduation and part-time for pre-completion.

Enrolled/attending school full time and in status for at least 9 months (including vacations) in a college-level program. ESL (SCIE) students do not qualify.

Employment must be related to your field of study.

Eligibility is based on recommendation from SCCC and issued through DHS.

Employment authorization (EAD) card is required to begin employment. A social security card is not an employment authorization card.

Warning: You must apply before you graduate and within 120 days of the end date on your I-20.

International Organization

Paid employment with a qualifying international organization.

Enrolled/attending school full time and in status.

Employer must be recognized under the International Organization Immunities Act (e.g. African Development Bank, European Space Agency, International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations, etc)

Written certification is required from the qualifying employer.

Authorization from DHS is not required.

Severe Economic Hardship

Paid employment for 20 hours per week or less when school is in session and full time during breaks and vacations.

Warning: Employment authorization will cancel upon transfer to a new school.

Enrolled/attending school full time and in status for at least 9 months (including vacations).

You must document a severe economic hardship that you did not expect upon entering the U.S.

Eligibility based on recommendation from SCCC and issued through permission from DHS.

Employment authorization (EAD) card required to begin employment. A social security card is not an employment authorization card.

ALWAYS, PLEASE CHECK WITH AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR BEFORE ACCEPTING ANY TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT.

spacer
Valid HTML 4.01! Home  | FAQ  | Contact Us  | Site Map  | Copyright  | To Seattle Central