Skip to Main Content

The University of Tennessee

Center for International Education

Frequently Used Tools:




Employment While in the U.S.

Federal law only allows F-1 students to work in the U.S. under certain conditions. The easiest way to earn some money while studying in the U.S. is to take an on-campus job.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 students are eligible to work on-campus for a total of 20 hours per week during the semester. During the summer and official school breaks, full time employment is permissible. You cannot continue working after you graduate or complete your studies (unless you have some other type of work permission).

On-campus employment is usually defined as a job that pays with a UT paycheck. If you are planning to work on-campus, you must obtain written permission from CIE.

Off-Campus Employment

There are specific situations whereby F-1 students may be allowed to work off campus.

Economic Hardship

If there has been a serious and unexpected change in your financial situation since your arrival, you may be eligible to apply to USCIS for Economic Hardship. This is general permission to work off-campus in any job. You must obtain permission from USCIS before you can begin working off-campus. If work-permission is granted, you can only work part-time during the semester and you must be enrolled full-time. You need to speak to an international student advisor if you wish to apply for this benefit. CIE can assist you with the appropriate applications and supporting materials.

Practical Training

Practical Training is a period of time that DHS allows a student in legal F-1 status to engage in employment related to their current major field of study. Practical training is divided into two categories – Curricular and Optional.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

DHS defines CPT as training that must be an “integral part of an established curriculum ” and the employment must be directly related to a student ’s current major field of study.

  • CPT can only be used before graduation/completion of study.
  • Full or part time CPT is allowed.
  • You must have an employment offer before you can request for CPT.
  • CPT employment is granted for a specific employer, location and length of time.
  • You must obtain permission from CIE to engage in either a paid or unpaid internship/practicum.
  • Permission is granted by CIE on your current I-20.
  • You must have permission before you can begin working.

Please attend one of the weekly seminars for details. We also have more information available here.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

This is training that is a good opportunity to gain experience in your current field of study. There are 12 months available for a degree and each subsequent higher degree. This is not cumulative.

  • May be used before completion in summer, during a regular term, or after completion of all required course work (except thesis or dissertation hours).
  • Is available after completion of a course of study.
  • May be full or part-time depending on circumstances.
  • No job offer needed to qualify.
  • Must be submitted USCIS for permission.
  • Must be applied for prior to completion of study.
  • You must pay a fee.
  • You must have permission from USCIS before you can begin working.

Please attend one of the weekly seminars for more details. We also have more information available here.