International Student Employment
Work While You Study
Students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible to work on campus from their first semester. A job helps cover your expenses and builds your résumé. It’s also a good way to strengthen your communication and professional skills — and connect with people on campus and in the local community. You’ll need a Social Security number before you can start.
As you progress, you can add practical training in your field through Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training — paid experience that counts toward your career, not just your expenses. JWU’s International Student Services Office (ISSO) guides you through every step.
On-Campus Employment
F-1 students are eligible for on-campus jobs, including student assistant roles. You might provide administrative, clerical or department-specific support for a JWU office. It’s a good way to earn money and get to know the university from the inside.
Off-Campus Employment
Off-campus work requires authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and you apply through ISSO. Most off-campus authorization is based on economic hardship from circumstances outside your control. You’ll need to have maintained F-1 status for at least one academic year and show that on-campus work isn’t available or isn’t enough to meet your needs. This authorization doesn’t reduce your 12 months of available OPT. You can work part time while classes are in session and full time during academic breaks.
Talk with ISSO before you accept any off-campus job. We’ll walk you through the process.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is part of JWU’s internship program. Through CPT, you gain practical experience in your field of study while earning academic credit at the same time.
You’re eligible after one full academic year of full-time enrollment — or sooner, if your degree program requires it. All CPT must be authorized by JWU’s International Student Services Office (ISSO).
If you plan to participate in an off-campus internship, it must be authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through ISSO.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work authorization available for eligible F-1 students. Gain up to one year of real-world work experience related to your field of study by applying for OPT. You’re eligible after maintaining F-1 status for at least one academic year. You can use one 12-month OPT period per degree level.
Attend an information session before you apply. Dates are announced in I-News, which is sent to your Wildcats email. Contact ISSO for more information.
STEM OPT Extension
If your degree is in an approved STEM field, you may be able to extend your OPT by 24 months. You’ll need to complete your initial post-completion OPT period first — usually 12 months.
Apply before your initial OPT ends. Applications aren’t accepted during the 60-day grace period that follows an initial period of regular post-completion OPT. Contact ISSO for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
While logged into jwuLink, you can click on “Jobs & Internships” from the menu to search and apply to available jobs.
If you are a student attending Johnson & Wales University with an F-1 or J-1 Visa, you may be eligible to work up to 20 hours per week while you are currently enrolled in classes. This includes weeks that you are partially enrolled, such as exam weeks.
F-1 students have no weekly hour limit outside the academic year. J-1 students can work up to 25 hours per week when classes are not in session. Check with your manager first — your position must be approved for additional hours during those periods.
No. F-1 students in full-time status can work on campus without applying to USCIS. J-1 students don’t need USCIS authorization either.
You will be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number once you secure an on-campus job, obtain a paid internship or are approved for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is a temporary work authorization that allows international students on an F-1 visa to gain hands-on work in the United States related to their academic study. Log into jwuLink for instructions for obtaining your Social Security Number.
No. F-1 students in full-time status can work on campus without applying to USCIS. J-1 students don’t need USCIS authorization either.
Off-campus employment may only be granted after applying to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through JWU’s International Student Services Office. Do not work off campus without authorization from USCIS.
In most cases, you will not be able to work on campus while also participating in a semester of internship.
In this situation, you must discontinue your on-campus employment immediately. Contact ISSO right away — they can help you understand your options and get back into compliance.
If you experience hardship caused by situations beyond your control, you may work outside of JWU. You must maintain your F-1 status for at least one academic year to be eligible. You must be able to demonstrate that you are experiencing economic hardship, that employment on campus is unavailable or insufficient to meet your needs and that employment will not interfere with your studies.
This type of employment does not affect the 12 months of available OPT. You may only work part-time while classes are in session, but you can work full-time during academic breaks.