F-1 Employment and Social Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allows F-1 and J-1 students certain types of work authorization that can be used during or after their studies.

Work authorization is not automatic. Students must apply in advance and wait for approval before starting work. In some cases, students may need to collaborate with their prospective employer and delay a planned start date to ensure they are not working without authorization.
All employment has a specific start and end date. Students MAY NOT work before or after the authorized dates.
Your employment should never interfere with your studies. If you find it difficult to keep up with your class and work responsibilities, you should stop your employment or lessen your hours.

Remember: Work authorization is an optional, added benefit for students who are complying with all immigration regulations.

unauthorized employment

Working without authorization (whether paid/unpaid) is a severe immigration violation that will follow your record forever. DHS considers all unauthorized employment a “willful violation.” This means that whether you did so intentionally or unintentionally, you are held accountable for any unauthorized work and are subject to consequences.

Unauthorized work can be:

Working without the required approval;
Working before your authorized approval began;
Working after your authorized approval ended;
Working more or fewer hours than you have been authorized to work, if your work authorization has a minimum or maximum number of hours; and/or
Working outside the terms of approval (i.e. you are approved to work in a certain position but you are actually working in a different position)

Important:

If an OIP advisor learns that you have worked without authorization, we are required by law to terminate your SEVIS record, and you will immediately lose your F-1 status and be required to exit the United States.

Working without authorization can follow your immigration record forever, even if you are not penalized for it immediately. For example, if you work without authorization as a student, DHS may find out if you apply for another visa or a green card in the future. This can lead to denial of your application, and a potential bar from entering the United States.

If you have questions about how unauthorized work could impact your current or future immigration record, we recommend speaking to a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible. You can find a list of immigration attorneys through the American Immigration Lawyers Association ( AILA).

Working as an f-1 student

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Use the above link to learn about off-campus employment opportunities related to your field of study that you can pursue while enrolled at UTEP. This section explains eligibility, application steps, and required authorization for CPT.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Use the above link to explore post-graduation or pre-graduation employment options that allow you to gain hands-on experience in your major area. You’ll find information on eligibility, timelines, and how to apply for OPT authorization.

On-Campus Employment

Use the above link to review guidelines for on-campus jobs available to F-1 students at UTEP. This includes eligibility requirements, work-hour limits, and how to find approved campus positions.

Other Cases of Employment

Use the above link to learn about less common employment authorizations for F-1 students, including economic hardship and special programs. It provides information on who qualifies and how to apply.

Social Security Number (SSN)

Use the above link to understand how to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) once you are authorized to work. The section includes step-by-step instructions, required documents, and helpful tips for your SSN application.