Work Authorization for Current Students
Working in the U.S.
The U.S. has very strict rules regarding foreign nationals working in the U.S. International students in valid F-1 or J-1 status may work on-campus at the school they are authorized to attend for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during vacation and holiday breaks. International students cannot be employed off-campus unless meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining prior written authorization. Immigration regulations severely limit an international student's eligibility to accept employment off-campus. Students found working illegally are failing to maintain their student status and risk having their F-1 visa revoked.
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Social Security Number 
In the U.S, a Social Security number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued to citizens and eligible non-citizens. Its primary purpose is to track individuals for taxation purposes. You can apply for a SSN only with a job offer and an employer cannot pay you until you provide them with your SSN. According to the Social Security Administration, your job offer for on-campus employment must be authorized by a Designated School Official and the Department of Homeland Security in order to apply for a Social Security number.
Once you have been offered a position, your hiring supervisor will complete the necessary paperwork and send it to the appropriate hiring office. You will also need to complete an I-9 form in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. Once the appropriate office receives all of this paperwork (Human Resources for Graduate Assistants or Student Employment for student workers), they will send an ENDORSEMENT LETTER to ISSS for verification of your status and employment eligibility.
Once ISSS receives this letter, we will verify your status, stamp the letter, and notify you by WKU email that your stamped endorsement letter is ready to be picked up. This process could take up to 2 weeks depending upon how quickly ISSS receives the letter. Note: The stamped endorsement letter is necessary to file for your Social Security number. When you come to our office to pick up your letter, we will also give you a handout on what documents to take with you to the Social Security Administration.
If your application is approved, you will receive your Social Security Card within a few weeks. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place - it is difficult, time consuming and costly to replace.
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On Campus
Western Kentucky University international students who are in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa have the option to work at on-campus jobs. Work permission for those on an F-1 Visa is limited to only on-campus jobs for at least the first year of studies. When school is in session, you can only work a maximum of 20 hours each week. During winter or summer break, you will be allowed to work a maximum of 40 hours each week at your on-campus job (if not enrolled in a course during the break). Once you have found a job, it is important to remember that you cannot start working until you are registered for classes.
Student can legally enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the start of the semester. Some of our previous students recommend arriving around this time, even though it is weeks before the check-in and orientation, in order to give yourself time to find on-campus employment. If you do find a job before orientation, it is important to remember that you cannot begin working until you are registered for classes. However, there is no guarantee that you will find work by arriving so early.
ISSS has a list of the major on-campus employeers and will provide an employment session during orientation week for more information.
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Off Campus
In limited circumstances, under current DHS regulations, students who have been in-status for at least nine months or two academic semesters are eligible to apply for off-campus work authorization. However, you must contact ISSS regarding ANY off-campus employment to see if you are eligible and to file necessary papers before beginning to work.
Types of Off-Campus Work Available to F-1 Students
An F-1 student may be authorized to work off-campus while school is in session and during school vacations through:
- Economic Hardship
- Curricular Practical Training
- Optional Practical Training
To be eligible for any off-campus employment, the student must do the following:
- Be enrolled for one academic year;
- Be in good status with DHS;
- Be in good academic standing; and
- Receive written permission!
Student employment both on-campus and off-campus is limited to no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. During holidays and school vacations, employment can be full-time.
NEVER WORK OFF-CAMPUS WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION!!!
1. Employment Based on Economic Hardship
The DHS considers Severe Economic Hardship only in situations that are unforeseen and beyond your control. For instance: documented significant devaluation of your home currency or unexpected changes in the financial condition of your main source of support (e.g. loss of job, death, etc.).
2. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Students who have alternate work/study internships or cooperative education as a required part of their curriculum can receive an endorsement for CPT. This training will not affect other practical training, provided the total amount of CPT authorized is less than 12 months of full-time training. If a student completes 12 or more months of full-time CPT, he/she is ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. He/she may be eligible to do part-time CPT in conjunction with full-time studies. For CPT opportunities, you should contact your advisor at the Office of International Student & Scholar Services for an information/forms packet. Because of the many procedures involved, you should begin this process several weeks in advance of the semester you wish to begin. You will need to submit documents to the Office of International Student & Scholar Services and receive written authorization before you begin work.
3. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
What is OPT? Optional Practical Training is one year of full-time work permission in a student’s field of study after completion of studies at each degree level. OPT should be viewed as a BENEFIT of maintaining your F-1 status, rather than a RIGHT.
Field of Study: The work MUST BE directly related to the field of study on your I-20.
Completion of Studies: Students can now apply for OPT 90 days prior to or 60 days after their program completion date. We strongly recommend that you apply before your program completion date because filing later will cause delays in processing your OPT card.
How do I choose my OPT start date? Students may apply 90 days prior to program completion or 60 days after program completion. Start date on OPT must be within the 60 days after program completion date or date OPT is adjudicated by UCSIS.
Employment on OPT: During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. If student accrues an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment on post-completion standard “initial” OPT, the student loses his/her F-1 status. Note: all students applying for OPT are on the “initial” standard OPT.
*ALL students who wish to apply for OPT are required to attend an OPT workshop during their last semester of studies. You will receive emails from ISSS with the workshop dates for which you can register.*
