International Education Center

How to Work in the U.S.

This page provide a list of options for F-1 international students to work while in the U.S.

*REMINDER: F-1 students must be authorized in advance by a Designated School Official (DSO) for any off campus employment or internship. Unauthorized employment constitutes a failure to maintain status. (U.S. immigration regulations, 8 Code of Federal Regulations 214.1(e)).

On-Campus Employment

Working on-campus is a great opportunity to gain experience and earn a bit of extra income. All F-1 visa students are eligible to work on-campus as long as you are maintaining your F-1 status and enrolled full-time in 12 or more units. You are allowed to work part-time on-campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters and 30 hours per week during summer and winter sessions. No special permission is needed from the IEC Office. Your work must meet one of the following conditions:

  1. The employment takes place on the SMC campus and is paid by SMC. This includes any student services offices, departments, library, recycling center, etc. This is the most common type of on-campus employment.
  2. The employment takes place at one of the vendor locations that is on-campus such as coffee shops, bookstore, and cafeteria located at SMC.
  3. The employment takes place at an off-campus educationally affiliated location. This includes SMC's satellite campuses.

You can start your search for on-campus employment by visiting the Hire SMC (opens in new window) website!

Note: F-1 students can only apply for jobs designated as Student Help positions. Those positions designated as Federal Work Study are reserved for students on U.S. government financial aid. Students who are offered a job are then given the necessary paperwork to apply for their Social Security Card.

A social security number is required before a student can begin working. If a student does not have a social security number and is offered a Student Help position on-campus, a staff member at the International Education Center will advise the student on how to obtain their social security number.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

An F-1 student may be authorized by the IEC Office to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion OPT. A student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving his or her Form I-20 with the school's endorsement.

To be eligible for CPT, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Currently in good immigration standing;
  • Completed at least 2 consecutive full-time academic unit earning (fall and spring) semesters. Students who transferred their SEVIS records directly to SMC from a previous college in the U.S. might be able to count study time at their previous school.  Intensive English language training programs do not count towards eligibility;
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and is not on academic probation; and
  • Declared a major in Corsair Connect and MyEd Plan.

Internship Program Website (opens in new window)

Dates for Spring 2025 Internship Program:

  • Enrollment Opens: Friday, February 14, 2025
  • Enrollment Period Closes: 5 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2025

***PLEASE NOTE: ALL INTERNSHIPS ARE REQUIRED TO BE ON-GROUND (IN PERSON) AND LOCAL TO THE LOS ANGELES AREA***

Please watch the following video to learn more: CPT Presentation Video! (opens in new window)

Social Security Number

Paid internship positions will require a student to obtain a social security number if you do not already have one. After you have been approved by the internship program and received an I-20 with CPT permission from the IEC office, please follow the steps listed below to obtain the Social Security Card:

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to a maximum of 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • F-1 status for at least one academic year
  • Good academic standing (not on probation)
  • Completing an eligible Certificate of Achievement program or Associate or Bachelor's degree at SMC

Deadlines to apply:  Can apply up to 90 days prior to the end of the semester/term when finishing the degree but no more than 60 days after the end of the semester/term when requirements are completed for the degree.

*Policy for Summer/Winter Graduates
Students completing a degree in Summer or Winter who want to apply for OPT must follow F-1 rules pertaining to on-ground/online class units and enroll full-time or request RCL permission as outlined below:
  • Must enroll for at least one on-ground/hybrid class in their final term. Cannot take a fully online course of study in their final term.
  • Must request Final Semester RCL if enrolling in fewer than 4 units in their final term.

Please watch the following video to learn more: OPT Presentation Video! (opens in new window)

Economic Hardship 

Eligible F-1 students may request off-campus employment work authorization based upon severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. These circumstances may include loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • F-1 status for at least one academic year
  • Good academic standing (not on probation)
  • Employment will not interfere with full-time studies
  • Able to demonstrate financial need

Please contact an Immigration Specialist at the International Education Center for a consultation: intled@smc.edu 

F-1 Employment Options Presentation

Online workshop presentation in collaboration with Career Services Center regarding employment options for F-1 visa students in the U.S. Topics include on-campus work, CPT, OPT, and economic hardship work permission. Presentation Date: November 12, 2024. Play the F-1 Employment Options Presentation video (opens in new window) .

Options After OPT Immigration Presentation

Online workshop presented to Santa Monica College F-1 visa students by immigration attorney, Bernard Wolfsdorf. Topics include various post-completion visa and green card options, eligibility criteria, and application tips. Presentation Date: November 5, 2024. Play the F-1 Post-Completion Visa & Green Card Options video (opens in new window) .