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Meta description: Working on an F-1 visa: 20 hours on campus, CPT, OPT and STEM OPT under rules effective 15 Sep 2026, filing windows, USCIS fees, taxes, after OPT.
Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Working While Studying in the USA and OPT: On-Campus Jobs, CPT, OPT and STEM OPT Under the 2026 Rules

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An F-1 student may work on their university's campus up to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full time during breaks, with no separate USCIS authorization. Any work off campus needs authorization. During studies, that means CPT, practical training built into the curriculum and authorized by the school, usually after the first academic year. After graduation, it means OPT: up to 12 months of work in your field for each degree level, plus up to 24 more months for STEM graduates. Since 15 September 2026, the application for post-completion OPT must be filed no later than 30 days after the program end date (previously 60), and students admitted under the new rules have 30 days to depart after their studies or OPT end.

Below: every legal work option in one table, step-by-step OPT and STEM OPT filing, fees and deadlines, taxes, what the new fixed period of stay changes for students, and what comes after OPT. Rules checked against the current text of 8 CFR 214.2(f) and 214.1 on 24 September 2026. How to obtain F-1 status and what changed in the period of stay is covered in our [F-1 student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-f1-student-visa-usa).

Tech Tower (Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Administration Building, 1888) on the Georgia Tech campus in midtown Atlanta, USA. Photo: Mistercontributer / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tech_Tower_Building_-_1.jpg), [CC0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en).

## All work options for F-1 students {#section-1}

| Option | Who authorizes | When | Hours | Cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-campus employment | No USCIS authorization; the school sets its own procedure | No earlier than 30 days before classes start | Up to 20 a week during term, full time during breaks | Free |
| Off-campus work for severe economic hardship | USCIS on the school's recommendation | After one full academic year | Up to 20 a week during term | Form I-765 fee |
| CPT | The school's designated school official (DSO) | Usually after one academic year; immediately in some graduate programs | Part time or full time | Some schools charge a fee |
| Pre-completion OPT | USCIS | After one academic year | Up to 20 a week during term | $470 online or $520 on paper |
| Post-completion OPT | USCIS | After the program ends | Full-time work in your field | $470 or $520 |
| STEM OPT extension | USCIS | While on post-completion OPT | At least 20 hours a week | $470 or $520 |

USCIS fees are as of September 2026. Premium processing for OPT and STEM OPT I-765s has cost $1,780 since 1 March 2026. Schools may add administrative fees; Manhattan University, for example, charges $150 for OPT and $250 for a STEM extension.

## On-campus employment {#section-2}

On-campus employment means working for the university itself or for a commercial firm on campus that provides direct services to students: the library, dining halls, the bookstore, a gym, a lab. It also covers off-campus locations educationally affiliated with the school, tied to its curriculum or, at graduate level, to contractually funded research. A construction company working on campus but not serving students does not qualify.

Rules under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i):

- up to 20 hours a week while school is in session;
- full time when school is not in session and during the annual vacation;
- no earlier than 30 days before classes start;
- it ends when you complete your program, unless you continue to a new program at the same school;
- it must not displace US residents.

What it pays: the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and many states and universities pay more. At an illustrative $15 an hour, 20 hours a week for 32 teaching weeks gives about $9,600 before tax. That helps with living costs but not tuition (compare the budgets in our [cost of studying in the USA](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-the-usa) guide), and future earnings do not count as funding for the I-20. Graduate assistantships are also on-campus employment under the same 20-hour limit; see [financial aid for international students](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-financial-aid-for-international-students-usa).

## Off-campus work during studies {#section-3}

Without a practical training authorization, off-campus work is possible only for severe economic hardship arising after enrollment from circumstances beyond your control. The regulation lists substantial fluctuations in currency value or exchange rates, loss of financial aid or on-campus work through no fault of your own, unexpected tuition or living cost increases, changes in your sponsor's finances and medical bills.

You must have held F-1 status for one full academic year, be in good standing and carry a full course load. The DSO enters a recommendation in SEVIS, you file Form I-765 with USCIS and wait for an EAD card. Authorization is granted in one-year intervals up to your program end date, for no more than 20 hours a week during term. USCIS denials cannot be appealed.

## CPT: training that is part of the curriculum {#section-4}

CPT (curricular practical training) is an internship, co-op or practicum that is an integral part of an established curriculum: you earn credit for it, or the degree requires it.

- The DSO authorizes it, records the employer, location, dates and full- or part-time status in SEVIS, and issues an endorsed I-20. You may start only after that.
- Authorization is tied to a specific employer and dates.
- The one-academic-year requirement does not apply to graduate programs that require immediate CPT.
- One year or more of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for OPT; part-time CPT does not.

A 2026 caution: under the new rule, graduate students may not change their educational objective, and may transfer only with an SEVP exception for extenuating circumstances. If a program's appeal is early CPT, check its accreditation and quality before enrolling, because moving to another school later will be very difficult.

## OPT before and after graduation {#section-5}

OPT (optional practical training) allows 12 months of employment directly related to your major, with a new 12 months each time you move to a higher degree level, for example 12 after a bachelor's and another 12 after a master's. Pre-completion OPT is possible too: up to 20 hours a week during term and full time during breaks; the months used are deducted from the 12.

Filing for post-completion OPT:

1. Ask your DSO for an OPT recommendation; you receive an I-20 showing it.
2. File Form I-765 with USCIS no earlier than 90 days before your program end date and no later than 30 days after it, and within 30 days of the date the DSO entered the recommendation in SEVIS.
3. Request a start date no later than 30 days after your program end date.
4. Wait for the EAD card; you may not work before the start date on it.
5. All 12 months must be completed within 14 months after completion of study.

While on OPT:

- no more than 90 days of unemployment in total;
- the job must relate to your major;
- report employer, address and gaps through the SEVP Portal or your DSO;
- transferring schools or starting a program at another level ends OPT automatically.

Transition under the new rule. Since 15 September 2026, F-1 students are admitted until a fixed date. To work on OPT beyond that date, students generally must file an extension of stay (Form I-539) with the I-765 or, after travel abroad, be readmitted through CBP. There is a reprieve for students who were maintaining F-1 status on 15 September 2026: if they file the OPT or STEM OPT I-765 on or before 18 March 2027, they do not need to file Form I-539. DHS may extend this reprieve in six-month increments. A student who leaves the US before filing for OPT and is readmitted under the new rules must file both forms.

## STEM OPT: 24 more months {#section-6}

If your degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, you can add 24 months to OPT.

Requirements:

- a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a US institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education;
- an employer enrolled in E-Verify, with an EIN;
- a training plan, Form I-983, completed with the employer;
- at least 20 hours a week, with duties, hours and pay commensurate with similarly situated US workers;
- a job directly related to the STEM degree.

Deadlines: file up to 90 days before your current EAD expires and within 60 days of the DSO recommendation. If you file on time and your card expires before a decision, your work authorization is automatically extended under 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(6)(iv). The unemployment limit across OPT and STEM OPT is 150 days. You can receive no more than two STEM extensions in a lifetime, the second based on a higher-level degree.

## Taxes and documents {#section-7}

Social Security number (SSN). Issued to F-1 students only when they have authorized employment. For on-campus work, the Social Security Administration asks for a DSO letter confirming your status and employer, plus evidence of the job such as an employer letter or recent pay slip.

Taxes. F-1 students who are nonresident aliens, generally those present in the US in F-1 status for less than five calendar years, are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes on wages from authorized work connected to the purpose of the visa. Federal and state income tax still applies. F-1 students are "exempt individuals" for the substantial presence test and file Form 8843 with the IRS even without income. Tax treaties between your country and the US may change the picture; check with your school's tax adviser.

## After OPT: H-1B and the 2025-2026 changes {#section-8}

Most graduates who want to keep working in the US move to an H-1B visa. The employer files, and cap numbers are allocated by selection.

- Cap-gap. If an employer timely files an H-1B change-of-status petition, your F-1 status and OPT work authorization are extended until 1 April of the fiscal year requested, or the approved petition's start date if earlier.
- Weighted selection. A rule effective 27 February 2026 introduced weighted selection that generally favors higher-skilled and higher-paid beneficiaries while keeping a chance at every wage level. It applies from the FY 2027 registration season.
- The $100,000 payment under Proclamation 10973 applied to certain H-1B petitions filed from 21 September 2025 and was set to expire on 21 September 2026 unless extended; check USCIS for its current status. On 8 June 2026 a federal court in Massachusetts vacated the guidance implementing it; the government appealed.
- Proposed $103,265 fee. On 25 August 2026 DHS proposed this fee for all cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those under the US advanced-degree exemption. It is a proposal: comments close on 24 September 2026, and no final rule has been published.

For planning: OPT, plus STEM OPT for eligible majors, is the main lawful way to work in the US after graduation without employer sponsorship. Moving to H-1B in 2026 depends on the annual cap selection and on which fees employers will ultimately have to pay, so a plan that relies on it alone is risky.

If you are still choosing a university and major, start with [studying in the USA](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-usa): your major decides whether you qualify for STEM OPT.

## The risk of unauthorized work {#section-9}

Working without authorization violates F-1 status. The school terminates your SEVIS record, practical training authorizations end, and the violation can affect future visas. "Informal" options such as food delivery, gig platforms while you are in the US, or unpaid internships without CPT that are in substance employment generally count as work too. When in doubt, ask your DSO before you start.

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Starting off-campus work before receiving the CPT-endorsed I-20 or before the EAD start date.
- Filing for OPT at the end of the window. Since 2026 you have only 30 days after the program end date, and a rejected form means losing the fee.
- Accumulating 12 months of full-time CPT and losing OPT.
- Expecting campus work to pay tuition.
- Losing track of unemployment days on OPT: exceeding 90 (150 with STEM OPT) is a status violation.
- Leaving the US before filing for OPT without realizing you will need Form I-539 as well under the new rules.
- Choosing a STEM OPT employer that is not in E-Verify.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Can I work in the USA on a student visa?

Yes, with limits: on campus up to 20 hours a week during term without USCIS authorization; off campus only through CPT, OPT or a severe economic hardship authorization.

### Can I work in my first year?

Only on campus. CPT and OPT generally require one full academic year, except in graduate programs that require immediate practical training.

### How long is OPT?

12 months per degree level. Graduates in STEM fields can add 24 months, for up to 36 in total.

### When should I apply for OPT after graduation?

No earlier than 90 days before your program end date and no later than 30 days after it, and within 30 days of your DSO's recommendation. Processing takes time, so file early in the window.

### How much does OPT cost?

The Form I-765 fee is $470 online and $520 on paper; premium processing is $1,780. Some schools add an administrative fee.

### Can I work remotely or be self-employed on OPT?

Remote work is not ruled out on regular OPT as long as it relates directly to your major and you report it as required. Self-employment is effectively ruled out on STEM OPT: you need an E-Verify employer who signs the I-983 training plan with you, and at least 20 hours a week. Agree the specific arrangement with your DSO before you start.

### Do F-1 students pay taxes?

Income tax, yes. Social Security and Medicare taxes are usually not withheld during your first five calendar years in the US if the work is authorized. All F-1 students file Form 8843, even without income.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [Current 8 CFR 214.2 (F-1 employment, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/section-214.2) and [8 CFR 214.1 (transition rules)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/section-214.1), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Federal Register, 17 Jul 2026: fixed time period of admission final rule, effective 15 Sep 2026](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/17/2026-14439/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [8 CFR Part 106: USCIS fees and online filing discount](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-106), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Federal Register, 12 Jan 2026: premium processing fees from 1 Mar 2026](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00321/adjustment-to-premium-processing-fees), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Federal Register, 29 Dec 2025: H-1B weighted selection](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b-petitions) and [proposed H-1B fee, 25 Aug 2026](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/25/2026-17324/fee-for-certain-h-1b-petitions), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Social Security Administration: F-1 students and SSNs](https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10181.pdf), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [IRS: foreign student liability for Social Security and Medicare taxes](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-student-liability-for-social-security-and-medicare-taxes) and [substantial presence test, Form 8843](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/substantial-presence-test), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [US Department of Labor: minimum wage](https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/minimumwage), checked 24 Sep 2026
- [Manhattan University: 2026-2027 fees including OPT](https://manhattan.edu/admissions/financial-aid/tuition), checked 24 Sep 2026

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Financial Aid for International Students in the USA: Need-Based Grants, Merit Scholarships and Assistantships](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-financial-aid-for-international-students-usa)
- [Cost of Studying in the USA in 2026: Tuition, Living Costs and a Realistic First-Year Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-the-usa)
- [F-1 Student Visa for the USA in 2026: I-20, Fees, Where to Interview and the New Fixed Period of Stay](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-f1-student-visa-usa)
- [Studying in the USA for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-usa)
- [Bachelor's Degree in the USA: How It Works, What It Costs and How to Apply for 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-the-usa)
- [Ivy League Admissions for International Students: The Eight Universities, Admit Rates, Costs and How to Apply for Fall 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-ivy-league-admissions)

Updated: September 2026