On-Campus Work/Employment Information
ATTENTION: Engaging in unauthorized work/employment violates U.S. immigration regulations and can result in severe consequences, including the termination of a student’s immigration status, requiring their immediate departure from the U.S.
- U.S Work/Employment Overview
- Defining On-Campus Work/Employment
- Limitations For On-Campus Work/Employment
- On-Campus Work/Employment Resources
- Additional Resources
U.S. WORK/EMPLOYMENT OVERVIEW
Important Information For MIT International Students
U.S. federal regulations impose strict limitations on work/employment opportunities for international students. International students enrolled in an MIT degree program are eligible for limited on-campus work/employment.
DEFINING ON-CAMPUS WORK/EMPLOYMENT
The U.S. government defines work/employment-related activities by the “nature of the work/employment-related activities, services, and/or duties performed”, regardless of whether it’s paid or unpaid, for a company outside the U.S. and/or a non-U.S. company. If a student provides a service or benefit to an employer, organization, or individual, proper work/employment authorization is required.
U.S. Work/Employment Categories
- On-Campus: “On-Campus” work/employment is defined as activities exclusively for MIT, at MIT, and/or funded by MIT (i.e., salary, stipends, fellowships, RA/TA-ships, housing benefits, honorarium, etc.). Activities off-campus, even if paid by MIT, may not qualify as on-campus employment.
- Off-Campus: “Off-Campus” work/employment is defined as activities that DO NOT meet the “On-Campus” work/employment criteria and require prior authorization from the ISO and/or USCIS. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Activities performed at MIT, but not for MIT and/or funded by MIT.
- Activities with a professor’s private company/companies.
- Consulting or freelance work/employment.
- Participation in another MIT student’s and/or professor’s startup.
- Activities with/for a company outside the U.S.
- Mentor/Mentee relationships in a company/start-up.
- Team project that provides a service/benefit.
- Activities conducted at another school, university, institution, lab, etc., even if affiliated with MIT or part of an MIT award (research/teaching assistantship).
LIMITATIONS FOR ON-CAMPUS WORK/EMPLOYMENT
The total number of hours for on-campus work/employment is subject to a strict weekly limit, which includes the combined hours of ALL on-campus work/employment activities.
- During Required Academic Terms: During a program’s required academic terms (e.g., fall and spring), on-campus work/employment is limited to 20 hours per week or LESS.
- During Official Vacation Terms: During a program’s official vacation term (e.g., summer and IAP), students may work more than 20 hours per week, but ONLY if their program/department does not require coursework or enrollment during those terms.
IMPORTANT: Research Assistantships (RA), Teaching Assistantships (TA), and Fellowship Awards with service components count as on-campus work/employment at 100% and are considered equivalent to the 20-hour weekly limit for international students.
NOTE: Some Fellowship Awards without service components may not be categorized as on-campus work/employment. Students should confirm with their academic department if unsure.
ON-CAMPUS WORK/EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES
Understanding U.S. immigration rules and regulations regarding work/employment is crucial for a student’s success in the U.S. MIT international students should thoroughly review the resources on the toolbar of this webpage and through the direct links below:
- F-1 Students: F-1On-Campus Work/Employment webpage.
- J-1 Students: J-1On-Campus Work/Employment webpage.
- Special & Advanced Study Program Students: MIT Special and Advanced Study Program (ASP) Students are NOT eligible for on-campus work/employment at MIT.
- MIT Visiting Student Program (VSP): International students taking part in the MIT Visiting Student Program (VSP) are NOT allowed to pursue work/employment or positions (paid or unpaid) outside the research activity with their host research group on campus at MIT.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- ISO Main Employment webpage.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Working in the United States webpage.
- The Department of State (DOS) J-1 College and University Student webpage.
Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is only for MIT-sponsored students.
For additional questions, students should first review the ISO Employment web pages thoroughly. They are encouraged to use the ISO search tool (located at the top of the ISO website) or consult the comprehensive FAQ section in the ISO Knowledge Base. MIT students may also contact their designated ISO Advisor directly for assistance.
