Employment

International students are permitted to work in the United States only under firm immigration regulations.

Any unauthorized employment violates your legal status and compromises your ability to remain in or return to the United States.

On & Off Campus Work

On-Campus Employment

You are automatically eligible to work on campus for Davidson College for up to 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters.
On-campus work for campus contractors (e.g. Nummit) is allowed, but students should discuss with an ISE staff member first, to ensure all limitations are understood.
You are eligible to work full-time on campus during vacation periods and during the summer session.

Off-Campus Work

You must receive official work authorization prior to working anywhere off-campus.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) can be granted for internship experience within your major field of study.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) grants work authorization for one year after graduation (STEM majors are eligible for two additional years).
You must be in status for two semesters to be eligible for CPT or OPT.
You will be out of legal F-1 status and ineligible to remain in the U.S. if you work without authorization.
Because the U.S. Department of Labor uses a broad definition of employment – any activity for which a student receives a benefit which is monetary or otherwise – even unpaid internships require CPT authorization. Work can be considered anything for which you are compensated, such as money, food, or room/board.

Due to strict employment limitations while on an F-1 visa and lack of government guidance on the matter, ISE advises international students to seek advice from an experienced immigration attorney before entering into any NIL agreement or engaging in any compensated NIL activity.

Business Research and Entrepreneurship

It's acceptable to brainstorm and gather data in the preparation for beginning a business. However, when you start arranging to buy software from companies, taking and processing orders or payments, and things like that it is no longer research but actively engaging in a business venture. USCIS may view this and any other activity that provides productive value to a business as employment (even if you are not paid). ISE strongly recommends that, if you are unable to do this as on-campus employment with the college or strictly while physically outside the U.S., that you limit your involvement while you are inside the U.S. to avoid violating F-1 visa regulations on unauthorized employment. ISE recommends F-1 students consult an immigration attorney if considering a startup or entrepreneurship while in the U.S.

F1 Visa - International Student FAQ

Question: Can students with an F-1 visa receive funds from their own businesses while still enrolled at Davidson?

Answer: No, students with an F-1 visa cannot receive funds from their own businesses while in the U.S. and enrolled at Davidson unless they work with International Student Engagement to apply to USCIS, and be approved for, pre-completion Optional Practical Training . Receiving pre-completion OPT is discouraged and takes away from the available OPT post-graduation. International students should talk with International Student Engagement before engaging in any business ventures in the U.S.

Question: Can students with an F-1 visa receive awards for entrepreneurship after graduation, for example, from the Hurt Hub?

Answer: Yes, students with an F-1 visa can receive awards after graduation, as long as they meet certain conditions, such as having approved post-completion OPT and pursuing a business idea directly related to their major field of study, or leaving the U.S.

Question: Can students with an F-1 visa continue to receive payments from their own businesses after their one year of post-completion OPT?

Answer: Generally, no. During their 12 months of initial OPT F-1 students may be self-employed and manage their own businesses. However, the 24-month STEM extension precludes self-employment and continuance of payments from Davidson College in any form. International students are encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney about their options for entrepreneurship beyond the initial 12 months of OPT.

Volunteer Work

Volunteering, which does not require work authorization, contributes to your holistic development, helps you learn more about the world around you, and encourages you to give back to the community where you live. A volunteer is an “individual who performs hours of service… for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered" (U.S. Department of Labor). If you have questions about a whether an opportunity is considered volunteer or employment, seek guidance from ISE before engaging. To be considered a volunteer, the work performed by the individual must meet the following criteria:

No expectation of compensation (in other words, you may not be paid, may not receive class credit, etc.)
The volunteer cannot displace a genuine employee
The services provided by the volunteer should not be the same services for which he or she was previously paid and/or expects to be hired and paid for in the future
Services are performed for a non-profit organization for public service, religious or humanitarian objective that are open to the community that anyone could be eligible to do, not requiring specialized knowledge or training.
Unpaid internships, on the other hand, do not qualify as volunteer activity. Internships, both paid and unpaid, are primarily related to the intern’s major field of study and will require CPT.

Severe Economic Hardship

If something severe and unforeseen happens to your financial situation after you have already been in attendance at Davidson College for at least one year, you may apply for a Severe Economic Hardship (SEH) work permit. Employment on SEH does not have to be related to your major. Schedule a meeting with either the Director or Assistant Director of International Student Engagement to discuss this as an option if you think you might be eligible.

International Organizations

Special work permits are also available for F-1 students offered employment with certain international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund, etc. Schedule a meeting with either the Director or Assistant Director of International Student Engagement to discuss this as an option if you think you might be eligible.