Employment Basics
F-1 Students
On-Campus Work: Most F-1 students can start working on campus part-time (20 hours per week or less) no earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of classes. F-1 students must receive authorization from ISSS to work more than 20 hours per week on-campus.
Off-Campus Work: F-1 students must receive authorization from ISSS to work off-campus.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Used for internships, co-ops, and other off-campus work performed during your studies.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): Mainly used for work after graduation. Thesis and dissertation students may be eligible to start their post-grad work early.
J-1 Students
J-1 students must receive authorization form ISSS for all work. Working without authorization is a violation of your J-1 status
Note: If your DS-2019 was issued by Fulbright or someone besides Texas A&M, then you need to talk to your J-1 program sponsor to get work authorization. ISSS cannot authorize anything for you if we did not issue your DS-2019.
Finding a Job
The Career Center has specific pages (linked below) to help international students find jobs:
- Career Center page for International Students
- Visa Types and Work Eligibility
- International Friendly Companies
- Resources for Former Students
- Aggie Network Resources
