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 and you will be required to leave the U.S. which may make it difficult or impossible for you to finish your degree at MSU.
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 a 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.
CLICK HERE to view the OISS Webinar Optional Practical Training: Process & Application.
The student must meet all the below criteria to be eligible for OPT:
If you plan to spend one or more semesters outside the U.S. before applying for OPT, then you may not be eligible for OPT. Consult with an OISS advisor for OPT eligibility.
Students can apply for OPT up to 90 days before the program completion date and up to 60 days after the program end date. Though it is possible to apply for after completion of studies, OISS do not recommend doing so as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processing times vary and you may lose some of your 12-month employment authorization.
USCIS may take more than four months to decide on your OPT application. OISS encourages all students to apply as soon as they are able to apply. Even if you do not have a job offer, it is imperative that USCIS receives your application as early as possible
For details on the entire OPT process and timing, download the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Information Guide (PDF) and complete required D2L online course “OISS - Optional Practical Training". Visit Optional Practical Training OISS Self-enrollment Page to enroll.
View the OISS webinar on the USCIS Online OPT Application.
You may begin working on OPT after you receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
While you are on OPT, you must report the following through the SEVP Student Portal:
Learn how to use the SEVP Student Portal
SEVP Portal Student User Guide
You must also report changes in your U.S. Address and Telephone Number to MSU within 10 days of moving or getting a new phone number. update your address and phone number in StuInfo. Read our blog with step-by-step instructions on how to update your address and phone number.
Can I work anywhere in the U.S. while on OPT?
No. While on OPT, you may only work in jobs related to your major field of study at MSU.
Can I work at MSU while on OPT?
Yes. You may work at MSU while on OPT. If your hiring department wants you to work beyond the end date of OPT, you will need to talk with them about applying for another employment-based immigration category like H-1B. Your hiring department will provide you with information about other employment-based immigration categories that you are eligible for. If you are eligible for another immigration category, your hiring department will work with OISS to make sure that you are in the proper employment-based immigration status to continue working at MSU after OPT ends.
If I get another degree in the U.S. can I apply for OPT again?
You may apply for OPT based on a higher degree level at a college, university, conservatory, or seminary that has been certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enroll F-1 students. For instance, you can apply for OPT at the Bachelor's degree level and then apply again at the Master's degree level.
Steps for registering for the OISS - Optional Practical Training Course:
2. After you finish the OISS - Optional Practical Training Course:
3. Submit your Optional Practical Training (OPT) Application in MyOISS
4. Mail your application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
5. USCIS will mail you a receipt notice within a month.
6. USCIS will approve or deny your OPT application. Depending on processing times, it may take 90 days or more.
7. USCIS will mail an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to you after approving your OPT application.
Learn about requirements and eligibility to apply for STEM OPT Extension on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Study in the States website.
Review the STEM OPT Page in MyOISS for information on:
Study in the States STEM OPT Reporting Requirements Chart
SEVP Student Portal
You will be able to make some updates yourself in the SEVP Student Portal. For instructions and a list of what you can report in the SEVP Student Portal:
SEVP Student Portal - OPT and STEM OPT (PDF)
SEVP Portal Student User Guide
New Employment and Change in Current Employment
Follow instructions on this form to report new employment and changes in current employment. You must also submit a new I-983 to OISS with this form.
Report New STEM OPT Employment
STEM OPT 6 Month Employment Reporting
Complete and submit this form to OISS every 6 months while working on STEM OPT. Submit this form even if nothing has changed since your last report to OISS.
STEM OPT 6 Month Employment Reporting Form
STEM OPT 18 Month Employment Reporting Form
12 Month and 24 Month Evaluations on Form I-983
Follow reporting instructions on Study in the States. Submit page 5 of the I-983 to OISS by completing this e-form:
STEM OPT 12 Month Employment Reporting Form
STEM OPT 24 Month Employment Reporting Form
U.S. Address and Telephone Number Reporting
You must report changes in your U.S. Address and Telephone Number to MSU within 10 days of moving or getting a new phone number. update your address and phone number in StuInfo. Read our blog with step-by-step instructions on how to update your address and phone number.
Both STEM OPT students and employers are obligated to report material changes to, or material deviations from, the student’s formal training plan.
Material changes or deviations may include, but are not limited to:
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.
J-1 students have some work authorization options that must be pre-approved by OISS or your J-1 visa sponsor. The possibility of employment for J-1 students is primarily governed by the J-1 visa sponsor. Most J-1 students at MSU also have J-1 visa sponsorship from MSU, but some have other J-1 visa sponsors.
Your J-1 visa sponsor is in Box #2 on your DS-2019. If your DS-2019 lists MSU as your visa sponsor, refer to the section below titled "J-1 Student Employment: Under MSU Visa Sponsorship." If your DS-2019 lists another organization as your visa sponsor, refer to the section below titled "J-1 Student Employment: Under Outside Visa Sponsorship".
J-1 students are eligible to work on-campus for 20 hours a week during the school year and full-time during vacation periods. Work that exceeds 20 hours per week on campus or any work off campus must be authorized by OISS in advance.
J-1 students wishing to work off-campus (or more than 20 hours per week on campus) may apply for temporary work authorization called Academic Training (AT).
Failure to get employment authorization prior to employment will return in termination of your visa status.
AT can be authorized either before or after completion of studies to conduct hands-on training within the field of study.
J-1 Academic Training takes approximately one week to authorize.
Note: If you are seeking additional employment due to serious, urgent, and unforeseen financial problems, you may be eligible for off-campus work authorization based on economic hardship. Please see an OISS advisor for further details.
J-1 visa sponsors have the authority to set their own rules regarding employment for the students under their sponsorship. Students with DS-2019 issued by another visa sponsor must contact their sponsor directly for information about employment authorization possibilities.
J-2 spouses and J-2 children age 14 and above are eligible to apply for work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The application takes approximately three months to process. See J-2 Request for Employment (PDF) for more information.
If you accept a paid position in the United States, you must apply for a Social Security Number.
If you earn money in the United States, you must file tax paperwork each year regarding your income. MSU College of Law Clinic provides assistance through seminars and scheduled appointments. More tax information can be found at our Tax information webpage.
F-1 and J-1 International Students Cannot work in the U.S. Without Authorization
Working in the U.S. without authorization from OISS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will result in serious consequences and the termination of your I-20 or DS-2019 and the loss of immigration status. This will impact you now and in the future. It is not worth the risk.
How to Check Your Work Authorization Status:
MSU’s Career Services Network has developed award-winning career guides to help students—from freshmen to seniors—prepare for life after college.
OISS and MSU Career Services Network developed a special guide to help international students, U.S. employers, and university advisors navigate work authorization options, job searching in the U.S., transitioning to the U.S. workplace, and more.
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: