Part-time jobs are important for international students in the US to finance their everyday expenses. According to the US rules, F-1 visa holders are allowed to work 20 hours a week while studying and get exposed to job roles that are not strictly from their fields of study. Apart from the financial benefits, part-time jobs help you understand the US culture and society better and provide you with professional experience and valuable life lessons.
While part-time jobs are highly beneficial for you, there are rules and regulations by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) you need to follow. Read on, as we will discuss everything related to part-time jobs in the US for international students.
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Part-time work is a component of study popular in abroad countries such as the US. For a foreigner in the US, part-time jobs help to earn a salary while studying. In general, the following options are available for part-time work in the US.
OPT is designed to help students gain practical experience in their field of study. F-1 visa holders can apply for OPT at least 9 months after their enrollment to a study program, when they get Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. The OPT is 12 months long and can be done in vacations or after completing studies in the US.
The CPT is typically internships or co-op programs, which is part of the study program in the US for F-1 visa holders. There will be a mention of the CPT program in the Form I-20. The CPT is done either during the study or after that.
If you face severe economic hardship, you can talk to your university and get authorization for off-campus work part-time. Note that you need to provide a genuine and convincing reason to get this authorization.
In the US, students can participate in internships or cooperative education programs related to their field of study and earn while studying. Apart from financial earning, internships and cooperative education programs provides you with exposure to work and practical experience that are beneficial for your career success.
To work part-time in the US, international students must seek authorization from their university of study and follow the conditions they specify. If you work without your university’s permission, it can lead to issues like disqualification from study.
Mentioned below are the general conditions for foreign students to work part-time and earn a salary in the US:
Applying for a part-time job in the US is an easy process in most cases for foreigners. The application process is not the same for all kinds of part-time jobs in the US that are suitable for you. Here is a general guideline on how to apply for part-time jobs in the US:
Getting a top-paying part-time job and earning a salary is a dream for every student in the US who explores the opportunities. Selecting a suitable job depends on your skills, time availability, and personal interests. To help you explore such opportunities, here are some part-time job opportunities in the US you can apply for while studying:
Part-time Job | Hourly Rate |
---|---|
Campus Ambassador | 10 - 25 USD |
Teaching Assistant | 13 - 17 USD |
Department Assistant | 18 - 25 USD |
Tutor or Peer Mentor | 9 - 18 USD |
Barista | 12 - 18 USD |
Library Assistant | 13 - 20 USD |
Receptionist | 13 - 21 USD |
Research Study Assistant | 15 - 20 USD |
Food Runner or Catering Assistant | 13 - 16 USD |
Sales Assistant | 17 - 21 USD |
International students who do not qualify for work-study can still seek on-campus employment, such as jobs in libraries, student centers, cafeterias, or administrative offices.
Apart from on-campus jobs, there are various off-campus jobs for international students at nearby stores, neighborhoods, organizations, etc.
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Get StartedFor international students studying in the US, working part-time comes with a lot of benefits, some of which are listed below:
Thus, part-time jobs help foreigners in many ways and ultimately contribute to their financial independence. They do not hinder your academic goals, but adds more value to your learning in the US. However, it is important to find a suitable part-time job in the US that would contribute to your personal and professional learning. Plus, you must have a balance between work and study, and there should be no compromise when it comes to academics.
Know your university options in the US and search part-time job options before you land there. Our expert counselors will analyze your profile and offer admit predictions, based on your strengths and weaknesses. We will also help you strengthen your profile over the weak points, and assist you in exploring education loan options at minimal interest rates. Check the link, and start your exciting journey to study in the US!
The part-time job earnings depend on total work hours and payment per hour. Typically , international students earn 8 - 20 USD per hour from part-time jobs in the US.
Finding a part-time job in the US is not easier since the competition will be high for vacant opportunities. However, there are various job opportunities that an international student can explore in the US.
You are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week in normal cases. If there are no classes, it is possible to work up to 40 hours a week in the US.
Compared to off-campus jobs, getting an on-campus job can be tougher for international students in the US. The competition is more for on-campus jobs, and opportunities are limited.
Generally, the requirement for these documents depends upon the type of job you apply for in the US. Having these documents will improve your application’s strength compared to an application without any valid documents.