Working in the United States while studying is one of the most common worries of foreign applicants to the United States.

Is it possible for them to work in the United States while studying abroad?

The simple answer is yes; individuals may work while studying in order to supplement their income and acquire valuable experience.

However, there are certain restrictions that can be addressed with the help of immigration lawyer Clearwater FL.

The rules and regulations must be adhered to in the letter.

Workers with F-1 and J-1 visas are the only ones who are permitted to work in the United States. 

Working in the United States with an F-1 visa

In order to qualify for work experience, F-1 students must have completed at least one academic year of college or university.

This is referred to as “Practical Training.” A practical training program may be divided into two categories: curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT). 

Most of the time, on-campus work is provided for Practical Training students.

On-campus employment may refer to any job that takes place on or near the school’s campus, as well as labor that takes place off-campus but is associated with the institution.

In addition, the work completed must be linked to the school’s or program’s curriculum or requirements. As a result, employment on-campus does not always imply employment inside the confines of the institution.

F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during holidays, term breaks, and other periods when school is not in session, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Employment in the United States on an H-1B visa 

In the United States, the H-1B visa is the most prevalent kind of employment visa. Upon completion of their OPT, the majority of students will return home, but a significant number of students will want to continue their employment. In the United States, H-1B visas are non-immigrant visas that are granted or sponsored by U.S. businesses to employ foreign workers in specialized professions such as engineering, business, medicine, architecture, mathematics, law, education, and the physical sciences, among other fields of study. 

Holders of F-1 visas have the option of transferring to or changing their status to that of an H-1B with the assistance of immigration lawyer Clearwater FL.  This will need a student finding employment with a company in the United States who is prepared to apply for the H1-B visa. It is possible that you will get employed by the same business where you began working on OPT.

The employer is responsible for submitting the applications to the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and meeting the requirements of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the H1-B visa grant to the employee.

The H-1B cap is a limit on the number of H-1B visas that may be issued in a given year of up to 65,000. Those who have obtained advanced degrees in the United States, such as an M.S. or a Ph.D., are also eligible for 20,000 visas per year.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a lottery method for accepting applications in recent years. In summary, getting an H1-B visa is very difficult due to the high level of competition.

Working in the United States with J-1 Visa

Those who have a J-1 visa are eligible for three kinds of job opportunities:

  1. On-Campus Work – As part of the exchange visitor program, you are permitted to work on school grounds in areas that are connected to or unrelated to your academic study.
  • Academic Training – In the case of a J-1 visa holder, you may be entitled to up to 18 months of practical training after the conclusion of your undergraduate degree program. 
  • Off-Campus – Students participating in the exchange visitor program may be qualified for off-campus employment due to unanticipated economic situations, such as the loss of a scholarship or the payment of medical expenses, among other things.

Conclusion 

After completing an internship, look into possible job opportunities with a business with the help of immigration lawyer Clearwater FL. Examine the regulations, possibilities, and choices, as well as expenses and potential deadlines, among other things.