International students pursuing an MIT degree are eligible for limited on-campus employment under Federal Regulations.
Employment on-campus is defined as (1) working for MIT, (2) physically at MIT, and (3) paid by MIT. Pursuing any activity that does not meet all three of these criteria would be considered off-campus employment that requires applying for and obtaining the off-campus employment authorization before being able to begin the activity.
Employment on-campus is limited to 20 hours per week maximum while school is in session, but may be more than 20 hours per week during official Institute vacation periods. Institute vacation periods for purposes of on-campus employment are during the Independent Activity Period (IAP) and Summer vacation period. IAP and Summer term are not considered a vacation period for students who start and end their programs during those terms, or if the student’s academic program requires enrollment in coursework during IAP or Summer term.
Undergraduate Special Students and Graduate Special Students (Advance Study Program) are not eligible for on-campus employment at MIT.
An International Visiting Student is not allowed to pursue employment/job/position outside of the research activity with their host research group on campus at MIT.
