F-1 Employment Options: Part One
(updated on Jan. 20, 2003)

The most important employment issue that you always need to keep in mind is the issue of legal (or "authorized") versus illegal (or "unauthorized") employment. You must always make sure that any employment you plan to engage in is legal employment. Any unauthorized (i.e. illegal) employment - even for one day - even if you did not know it was illegal - poses a grave threat to your ability to remain in or return to the United States. And you must always make sure that you have the necessary employment authorization before you begin work, since starting work without prior authorization-even if you receive authorization later-constitutes illegal employment.

You should always consult with an OISS adviser before beginning any employment. This is the only way to be sure that you won't engage in illegal employment, with all of its adverse consequences for your future in the United States.

Different requirements exist for each type of F-1 employment, but there are basic requirements that must be met for any F-1 employment:

• You must be enrolled for a full course of study
• You must be authorized by USCIS (former INS) or the OISS to attend Yale University.

Once employment is authorized you must maintain eligibility or you will lose your right to continue employment, even if it was authorized in writing.

Employment is any type of work performed for services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. If you receive no pay or other benefit for the work performed, this activity is not defined as employment, but can be considered to be volunteer work.

Work on Yale's campus is usually permissible if it meets certain requirements. The authorization for on-campus employment is obtained from OISS (a stamp is placed on the back of your I-20) INS authorization is not necessary. Work on-campus is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session but may be full-time during holiday and vacation periods. A new F-1 student who has been issued a form I-20 may work prior to the commencement of classes, but for no longer than 30 days prior to the actual start date of classes.

USCIS defines on-campus employment as the following:

Type 1: Employment at Yale University: Any on-campus work for which you receive a paycheck (or other compensation, such as room and board, etc.) from Yale University or the Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Type 2: On Campus Work affiliated with an On-Site Commercial Firm on Yale's Premises. This includes work on Yale's campus for a commercial firm if and only if this work provides direct services to students.

Type 3: Certain Off-Campus Employment where there is an official educational relationship between Yale and the off-campus employer. USCIS regulations allow work at an off-campus location provided the:

1. location is educationally affiliated with Yale,
2. educational affiliation is associated with your school's established curriculum or is related to a graduate level research project which your school has contracted to perform, and
3. work is an integral or important part of your program of study.