F-1 On-Campus Employment

What is “On-Campus” employment?

F-1 students are generally permitted to work on the premises of the school that issued their currently valid I-20. Students should consult with an ISS advisor for a better understanding of the conditions and types of on-campus employment allowed if there is any question.

What types of on-campus employment are there?

• Work employed by the I-20 issuing institution (e.g., teaching assistant, library, administrative office)
• Work employed by on-campus commercial firms that provide direct student services (e.g., cafeteria)
• Work done at off-campus locations, but treated as on-campus (e.g., research projects)

What are the conditions for on-campus employment?

• Eligible immediately upon obtaining F-1 status
• Must be considered “on-campus”
• Can be used throughout period students is pursuing a full course of study
• Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session; can be over 20 hours during official school breaks
• Can be done in any on-campus position that does not displace a US worker; does not have to be related to course of study
• Offer of employment not required for eligibility
• All on-campus work is treated the same for the 20 hour per week limit; for example, teaching assistants who work 20 hours per week are not allowed to work more hours unless on break

What are the limitations for on-campus employment?

• “Initial” entry students may not begin work more than 30 days before class start
• Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session; over 20 hours during official schools breaks for students who are eligible and intend to register for the subsequent academic term
• May not engage in on-campus employment during the 60 day grace period following completion of study except in the following situations:
  • Employment authorized by Optional Practical Training
  • Between academic levels at same school
  • Between programs when transferring schools
• Concurrently-enrolled students (students attending two institutions at the same time) may work only on the campus of the institution that issued their I-20 and has jurisdiction over the student’s SEVIS record.

Where do I look for on-campus employment? 

To find on-campus job listings, please visit the sece website and use your UH login credentials to complete your profile. Once your profile is complete, you will be able to search and apply for jobs. Please make sure you select the ‘On-Campus’ option when searching for positions. Check the sece website frequently, as new job opportunities are posted daily.

Can I hold more than one on-campus employment? 

Yes, as an F-1 student you are allowed to hold more than one on-campus job as long as you do not exceed 20 hours per week for all jobs combined during the academic semester. You must complete a Multi-Job Memo by obtaining signatures from all your employers and submitting it to the Mānoa Career Center before additional hires are approved.

Where can I find career-related resources? 

Visit Mānoa Career Center Resources page for a wide range of career-related resources all in one convenient location.

For Manoa International Exchange Students: 

Exchange and visiting students are allowed to work on-campus within the dates of their program. Employment may total no more than 20 hours per week during the academic semesters. Please note that participants in an exchange or visiting student program offered through Mānoa International Exchange (MIX) are not permitted to participate in pre-completion or post-completion F-1 Practical Training. This includes Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and internships. For more details, please visit : MIX Inbound Employment.