Students in valid F-1 status are authorized to engage in on campus employment for up to 20 hours per week during regular semesters incident to their F-1 status. ALL on campus employment must be approved by OIS!

"On campus" is defined by federal immigration regulations as employment that:

• takes place on the premises of and for the benefit of the school sponsoring the Student's F-1 status (teaching assistant, research assistant, administrative) OR

• takes place on the premises of the school sponsoring the Student's F-1 status for the benefit of commercial firms providing direct student services (Barnes and Noble Campus bookstore, School Cafeteria run by Sodexho) OR

• takes place off campus at locations that are educationally affiliated (part of established curriculum or contract based research) with the school sponsoring the Student's F-1 status.

Initial entry students may begin on campus employment up to 30 days prior to the actual start date for classes.

Transfer students may begin on campus employment as of the transfer release date in SEVIS. Check with your current school for this date! For more about transferring to LSUHSC, click here.

Exceeding the 20 hour limit without prior authorization is a violation of F-1 status and is grounds for termination of a Student's SEVIS record. No reinstatement is available for this type of violation.

The 20 hour limit includes all types of on campus employment. For example:

• A graduate assistant appointed at 50% effort (20 hours per week) may NOT engage in any other type of on campus employment.

• A student worker who works 15 hours per week in one department may only work an additional five hours per week in another department.

• A student who must work 15 hours per week under the terms of a scholarship or stipend may work only five additional hours on campus per week.

A department or supervisor asking a student to work extra hours, or "approving" a student to do so does NOT constitute appropriate prior authorization and will NOT prevent an immigration status violation.

The ONLY valid forms of prior authorization for exceeding the 20 hour limit are:

Summer vacation and other official school breaks when students may work up to 40 hours per week, OR Special Student Relief beneficiaries.

 

A Student's "on campus" work authorization for LSUHSC ends on the completion date indicated on their current Form I-20 OR the transfer release date listed in SEVIS.

Continuing on campus employment at LSUHSC after either of these dates (including during the 60 day grace period) without specific authorization from USCIS (OPT, Change of Status to J-1, H1B, etc.) is a violation of F-1 status unless:

• The student has been issued a Form I-20 by LSUHSC for a change of academic level within LSUHSC AND has enrolled/will enroll in full time hours for the next regular academic term.*

*This does NOT apply to students who are transferring to or from LSUHSC when changing their academic level. Students transferring between SEVP institutions may only engage in on campus employment for the institution that holds their SEVIS record, as indicated by the transfer release date in SEVIS.

For more about F-1 transfers to LSUHSC, click here and from LSUHSC, click here.

An F-1 student may be authorized for off-campus employment in the following situations:

• Severe and unforeseen economic necessity

• Employment with a recognized International Organization

• Special Student Relief program

ALL off campus employment must be adjudicated by USCIS following a SEVIS recommendation on the Student's record. If USCIS approves the petition, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will be issued to the student. Off campus employment authorization may not extend past the completion date on the student's Form I-20 and will be granted in one year blocks unless the student's I-20 completion date is earlier.

A student may NOT begin off campus employment prior to the start date listed on their EAD or continue past the end date on the EAD unless they have received a new EAD card for continued off campus work authorization.

ALL off campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during regular semesters, unless otherwise noted below, but may be up to 40 hours per week during official school breaks or if authorized under a Special Student Relief program.

ALL off campus employment authorization terminates automatically if the student fails to maintain status or transfers to another SEVP institution.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Student must have been in valid F-1 status for one full academic year, currently maintaining status, and in good academic standing.

• Show that severe economic hardship exists due to circumstances that occurred after obtaining F-1 status and are beyond the student's control.

  • Examples include:

    • home country currency devaluation

    • medical bills

    • loss of financial aid that is not the fault of the student

    • substantial and unexpected tuition/fee increases

• Show that other employment options are unavailable or are insufficient to cure current economic hardship

• Show that the employment will not interfere with ability to maintain a full time course load

What is not required to apply:

• A specific job offer

• Position that is related to course of study

For instructions on how to apply for Off Campus Employment SEH, click here.

Students may undertake off campus employment with a recognized International Organization. For a list of recognized Organizations, click here.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students are eligible immediately upon obtaining F-1 status, no waiting period.

• Must have a specific, written offer from the International Organization

• Students must maintain a full time course load during this employment.

For instructions on how to apply for Off Campus Employment with an International Organization, click here.

To determine if you are eligible for SSR Off Campus employment, please contact International Services.

Students from the following eligible countries may receive off campus SSR authorization:

Students who are approved for SSR are also eligible (this is not automatically granted) for a Reduced Course Load. All students must maintain the minimum enrollment required for their degree level by LSUHSC and/or the Federal Regulations. Federal Regulations regarding SSR relief require Undergraduate students to maintain a minimum of six hours, and Graduate students a minimum of three hours.

SSR permits full time off campus employment (40 hours per week) provided an approved EAD is received and minimum enrollment, detailed above, is met.