Employment
Anyone employed in the US is required to have a Social Security Number. For more information on how to apply, please click here.
F-1 Students
your status allows you to work on campus. During the fall and spring semester, you may work up to 20 hours per week. During the winter and summer break, you may work up to 40 hours.
J-1 Students
you will need a special work authorization letter from the Office of International Programs before you begin an on-campus job. During the fall and spring semester, you may work up to 20 hours per week. During the winter and summer break, you may work up to 40 hours.
To request the work authorization:
– log in to eoip.um.maine.edu using your MaineStreet credentials
– go to Current Student Services
– click on J-1 Student on-campus work permit request
We will email you the work permit.
Graduate Students
A Graduate Teaching or Research assistantship is counted as 20 hours per week. If you are a graduate student with an assistantship you may not take on other employment.
Intensive English Students
Your breaks may fall outside the regularly scheduled winter and summer breaks. Be sure to check with an International Student Adviser at OIP if you plan to work full time (40 hours) during your break session.
Special permission from the Office of International Programs and in some cases the US Citizenship and Immigration Service is necessary for F-1 and J-1 students for off-campus employment. Some applications for work authorization take 2-3 months to approve so it is important to begin the process early.
Academic Training (AT) may be granted to J-1 students (both degree and non-degree seeking) who would like to pursue a practical training experience in their field either during or after studies. Your academic adviser or Associate Dean (for non-degree) must recommend the training experience and provide documentation to the Office of International Programs regarding the employer, number of hours, suitability of employment, etc.
Click here to sign up for a virtual AT workshop, on one of those dates:
Thursday, March 27, 2025 5:00 pm
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 5:00 pm
Academic Training (AT) is employment integral to an exchange visitor’s academic program which may occur during and/or after the completion of studies. Such training may include, but is not limited to: internships, practica, and field work.
Requirements for Authorization
- Your form DS2019 must be unexpired
- You must be in good academic standing
- You must participate in AT that is directly related to your field of studies
- You must have a firm offer of employment before completion of studies
- You must begin the AT within 30 days of the completion of your studies
- You must receive written approval, in advance, from your J-1 sponsor (which ever school or program issued your DS2019)
To apply for Academic Training Authorization (University of Maine sponsored students only)
- Once you have obtained an offer of employment meet with your academic adviser to be sure that he/she supports the work experience. You should provide your adviser with a full description of the job including: the name and address of your company, your supervisor’s name, your dates of employment, your salary and a summary of the tasks you will be responsible for.
- Ask your academic adviser to complete and submit the Recommendation for Academic Training Form. You may forward them the link to this page.
- Contact an International Student Adviser to be sure that your recommendation was received and is complete. The Office of International programs will email you to let you know when you can pick up your new DS2019 and letter authorizing the AT.
- Do not begin working until you have received a new DS2019 and authorization letter.
If you are under the sponsorship of an outside organization, such as IIE, you must contact your organizations adviser to discuss the AT application process.
Workshops
F-1 and j-1 severe economic hardship
Both F-1 and J-1 students may be eligible for off campus work authorization which is necessary because of serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring F-1 or J-1 student status. For J-1 students this authorization is issued by OIP and is for a specific job. F-1 students must file an application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and if approved will be eligible to work for any employer. There are many factors to consider when applying for Severe Economic Hardship work authorization. Please make an appointment with your OIP adviser before applying to decide whether or not this is right for you.
For more information on F-1 and J-1 Severe Economic Hardship visit this site.
Employment Resources
On-campus
To explore employment opportunities on campus please visit the Student Employment website. Please note that international students are not eligible to accept any positions designated as “Work-Study”.
Employer’s Guide to hiring international students
Share this valuable resource with potential employers to explain CPT, OPT and various options for work authorization after F-1.
Off-campus
The University of Maine’s Career Center is an excellent place to search for jobs and internships. Be sure to check out Going Global, a search engine that offers access to international career resources including world-wide job openings, internship listings, industry profiles, and country-specific career information. The Career Center also has many other important resources such as career counseling, resume writing workshops, and programs to connect you with UMaine alumni working in your field.