Students are eligible for certain types of employment, depending on their visa status. Before beginning any type of employment, permission must be granted. To begin employment without permission is a violation of your status and taken very seriously by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Employment opportunities fall into the following categories:

• On-campus work permission is possible for anyone enrolled in a degree-seeking program taking regular (not IEI) classes who has F-1 or J-1 status. Please note that J-1 visa holders will need special permission from their sponsor.
• Academic training is available to students in J-1 visa status. Permission is specific to the employer.
• Practical training, both curricular and optional, is available to students in F-1 visa status.
• J-2 work permission, available only to J-2 visa holders.
• Hardship work permission, which is difficult to obtain, is available to students who can demonstrate drastic and unforeseen changes in their financial situation.

To apply for work permission, students should make an appointment to see the foreign student advisor to discuss their situation and to do the necessary paperwork.