How To Work Part-Time With A US Student Visa | Expert Advice For Nigerians

As a Nigerian studying in the US, navigating the intricacies of working part-time with a US student visa can be daunting. You may be eager to gain work experience, earn some extra income, or simply make ends meet during your time studying in the US. However, with strict regulations surrounding employment for international students, it’s important to seek expert advice to ensure you stay compliant and avoid jeopardizing your visa status.

In this blog post, we will delve into the guidelines and expert tips on how to successfully work part-time with a US student visa as an international student.

Can International Students Work Part-time In The US?

Nigerians holding an F-1 visa are authorized to work in the United States but are restricted from employment outside of the university campus during their initial year. Additionally, on-campus work is allowed under specific guidelines and limitations.

Upon completing their first year of studies, F-1 visa holders can pursue off-campus employment, albeit with continued restrictions.

Whereas, under the M-1 visa, the student is permitted to engage in practical training only after the end of their studies.

How To Work Part-time On Campus With A US Student Visa

Once you have your F1 visa, you are allowed to work in the US under certain conditions. The full terms and conditions are listed with your visa, and you will see them when you receive the document.

The US government does not need to provide approval for jobs on campus, so you can take any role that is available at your university. However, on-campus positions go quickly, so it’s best to contact your university as soon as possible to see what vacancies are available.

Students will require a letter of permission from the international student office or department to confirm that their visa is valid and that they have the right to work on campus. The letter will often spell out the restrictions, such as working hours, so that the employer on campus is fully aware of what you can and cannot do if you get the role. Some roles are restricted to second-year students and older, so these may not be available when you first join the university.

To work on campus, you need to have the following:

• Have a valid F1 student visa
• Must work a minimum of 20 hours a week during the term
• Be fully registered for the next semester before you are allowed to work full-time over the holiday periods
• Ensure the job does not take away a position that could have gone to a US resident.
• You must have a certification letter to show to the Social Security Administration to have a Social Security Number
• The student must report his / her work to the designated school official

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, on-campus employment refers to work conducted either directly on campus or at off-campus sites associated with the educational institution. This permits students to seek employment within university premises or at affiliated facilities offering services to the institution’s students, such as:

• Bookstore
• Dormitory
• Graduate Assistant
• Library
• Cafeteria

As an international student, you can work on campus during your whole period of study. However, once you graduate, you will no longer be eligible to do such work. During the whole period that you work on-campus, you will be receiving a paycheck from your university.

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Off-campus Jobs With A Student Visa In The US?

There are two kinds of work that international students can do off campus: curricular practical training and optional practical training.

Students on an F1 visa can work off-campus in optional practical training (OPT) to gain experience in the workforce both during and after their degree program. To participate in OPT, you must arrange permissions from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the international student office at your university.

You can submit an OPT application after nine months of enrollment at your university. However, you cannot start working until after completing a full year of university studies and receiving the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Once you decide to begin the process, you can apply for the EAD at any time. The processing of your application may take up to 90 days, so submit it as soon as possible.

To complete the OPT students must satisfy the following requirements:

• You must be enrolled in a full-time university education
• Employment must be directly related to your major
• Your F1 visa must be valid and must remain valid throughout the OPT
• OPT applications must be sent out before you have completed your degree
• Students who have completed 12 months or more of curricular practical training (CPT) are not qualified for OPT
• The duration for OPT is 12 months full-time
• Students can work for only 20 hours each week during the semester
• Students can work full-time during the semester breaks if they are to return to their program for the next semester
• Only work full-time after coursework is completed and the student is making progress towards their degree.

Please Note: Part-time OPTs will affect the time frame for which you can then work full-time. Any time spent working OPT part-time is halved and that is then subtracted from the full 12 months. For example, if you work four months part-time, two months will then be taken from the 12-month allowance, and you are only then allowed to work for 10 months full-time.

OPT jobs convert to full-time, 40-hour work weeks, once you have completed your degree. After earning your degree, you have 14 months to finish all of your OPT. Before the conclusion of your academic program, you must submit an application to USCIS for post-completion OPT.

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Curricular practical training (CPT) is an additional training option that you can apply for through your institution, as they will have their programs specifically designed for this kind of employment. Students can get paid while gaining experience by working part-time for less than 20 hours per week or full-time for over 20 hours per week. Numerous colleges provide “work-study” options.

The difference between CPT and OPT is that CPT often allows students to begin working and gaining experience in their first year rather than waiting for the first 12 months.

To complete CPT students must satisfy the following requirements:

• Students must work in an area that is related to their major
• Training must be part of the school’s curriculum
• The CPT program must be authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
• The program must take place before the end of the degree
• You must have a job offer
• The program must be fully authorized before work can begin
• Only one CPT program can be completed at a time
• A complete year of full-time CPT removes a student’s ability to apply for OPT

Your area of study and your situation may dictate which of these training programs is right for you. Your international student office will be able to advise you on case-by-case queries.

What differentiates the CPT from other international student employment opportunities, is that it can be full-time, with no weekly hour limit. Also, you will not have to apply for a work permit for the CPT, which is a major advantage of it.

Keep in mind that if you complete 12 months or more of the CPT you will not be eligible to apply for an OPT.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)

Any student majoring or completing a graduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics is eligible to apply to extend their OPT for an additional 17 months.

To fully qualify for a 24-month extension, you must:

• Have been granted OPT and currently in the valid period of OPT,
• To have graduated with a bachelor, master or doctoral degree from an educational institution certified by SEVP,
• Work for an employer that fulfills the EM OPT Employer Responsibilities.

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Can I Volunteer In The US As An International Student From Nigeria?

Nigerians in the US with valid F1 visas can volunteer for up to 20 hours a week during the school semester under the following conditions:

• The internships must be in an educational environment (for example, at your university)
• The experience gained must benefit you rather than the employer
• Your role cannot displace a paid position
• The internship does not automatically lead to a paid role
• It is an unpaid position
• The voluntary position must be directly related to your chosen field of study.

Can I Work In The US After Graduation As An International Student?

International students have the opportunity to participate in practical training. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) should be concluded by the completion of the degree. However, Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs can be extended for up to 12 months following graduation, provided they remain relevant to the student’s field of study. Students graduating with degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, or technology have the option to extend their OPT program to 24 months.

If you opt out of an OPT program and desire to enter the workforce after graduation, you will need to apply for a new full visa. If you are on an F1 visa, there is a narrow window of 60 days to apply for a new visa before facing the possibility of returning home. Therefore, it’s advisable to apply well in advance of graduation if you intend to remain in the US.

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Do International Students Pay Taxes While Working In The US?

It’s crucial to understand that, should you choose to remain in the US after graduation, meeting your tax obligations accurately and on time may help you obtain a permanent visa. In terms of federal income tax, all international students are subject to the same taxes as non-residents. In other words, you will only pay taxes on money that you have earned within the United States.

Students working on an F1 visa will be asked to pay taxes on:

• Income and Compensation
• Tips
• Interest
• Some scholarships/fellowship grants
• Prizes and awards.

The amount of federal tax that you are to pay will depend on how much you have earned over the calendar year. State income taxes are charged as well as federal taxes.

Tax rates differ from state to state, so these amounts will depend on where you attend university. Because each state has independent rules on state income tax, international students might be asked to complete a state income tax return even if they don’t need to file a federal return.

Nine states do not require you to file for state taxes:

• Alaska
• Florida
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Washington
• Wyoming

Can I Secure An Employment With an International Organization As An International Student?

Most foreign students studying in the US also pass up another job chance. Employment at a reputable international organization, such as the World Health Organisation or the Red Cross, is always possible. However, you must meet the following conditions to be able to do so:

• Have finished at least one full academic year
• Have a job/internship offer by an international organization
• The work must be within the scope of your field of study
• You must be in good academic standing

You can apply at the USCIS for an Employment Authorization Document, the issuance process of which might take up to 3 months.

If you start working at an international organization, no matter how long you work there, you will still be eligible for a 12-month post-completion OPT.

Employment Due to Severe Economic Hardship

Students may work off-campus for up to 20 hours per week if they are experiencing financial difficulties and need to work to make ends meet. Over the summer and other breaks, these students are permitted to work forty hours a week.

To be permitted to work under “severe economic hardship” the student must meet the following conditions:

• Must have completed at least one year at university
• Be in good academic standing
• Show evidence of economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances
• Show proof that on-campus employment is neither available nor sufficient

FAQs On How To Work Part-Time With A US Student Visa

Conclusion

Now that you know all it takes to secure a job as an international student in the US, you must ensure you meet all the listed requirements to stand a better chance in the job market and also improve your chances of staying back in the US after graduation by being valuable to the country.

References

• timeshighereducation.com – Working on a student visa in the US
• topuniversities.com – Can You Work Part Time with a US Student Visa?

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