U.S. immigration law allows F-1 students to work on-campus and off-campus with work authorization. There are specific rules for each employment type that all students must know. Failure to follow these rules will result in the termination of your F-1 status.
Per the U.S. government regulations, international students with F-1 visa are eligible to work on-campus while maintaining their F-1 visa status at Michigan State University (MSU). On-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session.
A school is considered in-session during the fall/spring semesters AND during the student’s first or final semester. MSU is considered in session starting the week in which classes begin as listed on the MSU academic calendar. MSU’s work week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday of each week.
An F-1 student is eligible to work on-campus more than 20 hours when MSU is not in session and during an annual vacation. MSU is not in session starting the week after final exams as listed on the MSU academic calendar.
An annual vacation is taken during the summer semester and it is intended for students who completed full-time enrollment prior to summer and will continue full-time enrollment in their program of study after the end of summer.
Students and employers must review the MSU academic calendar and MSU Payroll Schedule to determine the periods in which F-1 students become eligible to work more than 20 hours per week.
Learn more about how to apply for on-campus job opportunities on the Career Services Network website.
For details on CPT requirements and eligibility, see the CPT packet.
Music students applying for short-term gigs:
Graduate Students in the College of Engineering:
All other students:
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary practical training authorization that is directly related to the F-1 student’s major of study as listed on the student’s I-20. OPT employment authorization is granted for 12 months typically after completion of degree requirements. OPT is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The above guide covers:
Eligibility
Application timeline
OPT start date
How to apply
Completing the OISS OPT D2L course
Travel while OPT pending
And more!
The above guide covers:
Maintaining status while on OPT
Reporting requirements while on OPT
The SEVP portal
Travel while on OPT
And more!
F-1 students who are currently on a period of Post-Completion OPT, with degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM), may be eligible for a 24-month extension of employment. See the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program List.
STEM OPT Guide: Eligibility and Application
The above guide covers:
Eligibility
Employment requirements
Application process
Travel while STEM OPT pending
And more!
STEM OPT Guide: Approval and Reporting
The above guide covers:
Maintaining status while on STEM OPT
Reporting requirements while on STEM OPT (MyOISS)
Travel while on STEM OPT
And more!
Current regulations allow certain students with pending or approved H-1B petitions to remain in F-1 status during the Cap-Gap period. This is referred to as filling the "Cap-Gap", meaning the regulations provide a way of filling the "gap" between the end of F-1 status and the beginning of H-1B status that might otherwise occur, if F-1 status is not extended for qualifying students.
You are eligible for the cap-gap extension, if both:
If your OPT authorization is unexpired when your employer submits your H-1B petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), then your OPT authorization is extended. You can continue working in F-1 status through the extension date.
If your OPT authorization is expired, but you are in your 60-day grace period when your employer submits your H-1B petition to USCIS, your F-1 status is extended, but not your work authorization. You cannot work, but you can remain in the U.S. through the extension date.
To request a Cap-Gap Extension I-20, you must submit the Cap-Gap Extension I-20 Request Form and required documents to OISS after May 9. See the Cap-Gap Extension I-20 Request Form for required documents.
If you will not work for MSU, OISS cannot advise you on immigration categories such as H-1B, L-1, or Permanent Residency.
To get more information about other employment-based immigration categories:
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