How do American students work legally?

Must understand the policy of working in the United States

The American government and schools have their own regulations on students' part-time jobs, especially on students' off-campus work. If foreign students plan to work in the United States, they must understand these relevant laws and regulations to avoid being severely punished for illegal work.

Generally speaking, the American government has no special restrictions on students' on-campus work. International students do not need to apply for special permission as long as they register to maintain their full-time status. However, the government clearly stipulates the time for students to work, that is, students should not work more than 20 hours during school and 40 hours during holidays.

You can only do off-campus work after applying for permission.

First of all, the company where foreign students work must be approved by the immigration bureau or the labor department, and foreign students are not allowed to work in unapproved companies.

Secondly, students must hold a legal student visa and meet the general standards before they can apply to the international student adviser of the school nine months after enrollment.

Finally, the work permit for international students is valid for 12 months. If you want to postpone, you need to apply again.

Students who need to work outside the school due to some unexpected situations can submit corresponding certificates to the international student consultant after one year of enrollment and apply for a special work permit. After success, they can work outside the school. The scope of this license is wider than the previous one. Students who hold this permit are free to choose a company without special restrictions.

However, everyone must abide by the rules. If you are employed illegally, the US government will revoke the legal status of students, and even the visas of students' spouses and children will be invalidated and deported by immigrants. Therefore, no matter how urgent the reason is, international students must make all preparations before starting work.

Where do international students usually find part-time jobs?

Work on campus

According to the regulations of USCIS, international students with F 1 student visa can work freely and legally on campus without applying for special permission, but they must have a valid F 1 visa. The working hours per week during the semester are generally limited to 20 hours; Can work full-time on holidays and holidays (up to 40 hours/week). Because the chances of working in school are limited, even if you work in school, this job can't be used as a source of income, and this job can't be linked to your studies. At the same time, you are not allowed to work in the first school year. Before working in a school, ordinary schools need permission from USCIS.

It is understood that generally speaking, campus work in the United States is relatively easy, and you can work in university canteens, bookstores, libraries, fitness clubs or administrative offices of universities.

Off-campus work

It is understood that students holding an American F- 1 international student visa are regulated by federal law. First, students are allowed to study and research in the United States. They must prove that they can afford to study and live before entering the country, so they should not be expected to be allowed to work outside the school. Secondly, students will only be allowed to work outside the school if they encounter "serious economic difficulties" or "emergency environment" stipulated by the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, students must be in school for at least one academic year, with good academic performance, and cannot get the opportunity of "working in school"; Or the salary of "working on campus" is not enough to meet the economic needs of students. Only under these circumstances can they be allowed to work outside the school. Off-campus working hours shall not exceed 20 hours per week. In addition, the authorization for off-campus work is usually valid for one year. If students work outside the school, they can't continue to work if the time limit allowed for them to work has passed. F- 1 Students should apply to the Citizenship and Immigration Department for renewal of the EAD card within 6 months to 90 days before the expiration of the Authorized Employment Card.

Internship program

According to reports, during school, after completing most courses, or during holidays, American universities can provide CPT (Curriculum Practical Training) for one year, which can be used several times. CPT is an internship program in American universities. During CPT, students are in full-time positions and enjoy the same treatment as employees of internship companies or institutions. CPT can not only meet the needs of international students economically, but also help to find a job after graduation. But in principle, the work of CPT must be related to the major studied. It mainly refers to two situations: one is that internship is an integral part of the project, which means that internship is necessary and relatively rare; In another case, you work outside and register for a practical course with 1-N credits. Credits are not necessary for graduation, but you must register. The probability of the second case is relatively high.

Short-term internship after graduation

OPT (optional training) refers to the short-term internship of F- 1 students in related fields. It is a period of internship time given by the American government to international students who have completed their degrees in the United States, generally 1 year. The internship training period for international students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can even be extended to 29 months.

It is understood that before applying for OPT, you must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The Office of International Affairs can help and guide students to apply for EAD. Before applying for EAD, you are not required to have found a job, but you must prepare relevant documents, forms, photos and fees. It takes about 12 weeks to apply for EAD, and students can't start working until they get a work permit.

How to save money by studying in the United States? Let's take a look at the following good ways to save money.

1. Mobile phones are life. Compare the prices of various communication companies.

As a mortal without internet, the first thing to do when coming to America is to buy a phone card. The famous American communication companies are AT & amp； T, Verizon, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and Alltel.

In addition, there are many communication companies, and children's shoes can check their own schemes online, and then compare the prices and choose the most cost-effective scheme.

There is a preferential program called Family Planning in America. Two to five people share a contract package, and the money will be shared equally, and the price will be relatively cost-effective. Therefore, single dog has to hold a group, and unity is to save money ~

Most telephone companies in the United States plan to make free calls between 2 1 every day and 7: 00 the next morning and on weekends. Try to call at night or on weekends to save money every minute.

Booking tickets in advance is very economical.

In America, transportation can also save money. If you book a train ticket in advance, you can buy a special early bird ticket. The ticket price is relatively reasonable, and the sites are all over North America, which is very convenient.

There are many discounts on student ID card.

In America, being a student is great! There is no need to pay for public transportation within the scope stipulated by the school, and there will be discounts on insurance, electricity and gym. I feel sorry for myself if I don't buy something at a discount. For example, if I buy an Apple computer, I can reduce my student ID by $200.

Remember to ask if there are any student discounts when you go to major stores, because even if some stores have student discounts, you will never mention them without asking the other party, otherwise there will be such a saying: no business, no cough. ...

Many clothing brands such as J.Crew, Topshop and Madewell have discounts. While you are still young and a student, try to enjoy the student discount!

Buy second-hand books

When I first came to the United States to study, I was more surprised than seeing my grades. It must be the price of textbooks ... any book costs forty or fifty dollars, and hundreds of dollars more. If you are not a book-obsessed scholar, you can actually buy second-hand books or rent books.

You can buy and rent books on the school business forum or Amazon. Or use your personal (beauty) pulse (color) to let seniors lend books to yourself ~

The headmaster should try to apply for a scholarship.

What? Are you the headmaster? Then please turn left in front of the international student office of the school and ask how to apply for a scholarship!

The scholarship system in the United States is mainly divided into three categories:

Demand blindness, which has nothing to do with demand, is generally applicable to excellent schoolmasters, and it must belong to you and me;

NeedBased scholarship, which is more suitable for American students, either you or me.

Choosing the best candidates is between you and me.

If you are a schoolmaster, remember to apply for a scholarship, which will save a lot of money. So studying hard can really save money!

6. Study hard and don't fail.

It doesn't matter if you're not a bully, at least don't be a scum or a bubble who will fail. The United States adopts the credit system, and tuition fees will be calculated according to credits.

If you fail, you need to rebuild, you need to pay tuition again, you have to bear the pressure of study and suffer the second loss of money. So believe in yourself, study hard and try to pass 60 points!

7. Reasonably plan courses and graduate early.

Fees are charged by semester in America. If you can graduate one semester in advance, the tuition saved is considerable, especially the better the college tuition, the more expensive it is! When studying in universities in the United States, many students will graduate early as long as they plan their courses reasonably, and there will be no great pressure on their studies.

When you enter the school, consult the course selection counselor of the school and ask them to help plan the courses in the next few years, choose courses step by step, graduate early, and save money for a graduation trip.

I'll take you, you take the money saved, we eat together, and buy buy will buy it ~

8. Learn to use credit cards

When I came to America, I had a card in my hand, all over the world. In the United States, international students can also apply for bank credit cards, but different credit card types have different discounts or concessions. For example, some credit cards will have quarterly cash back, and some credit cards will have discounts on car refueling. Specifically, you should compare several banks to see which one is more suitable for you.