Employment
On-campus Jobs
If you are an F-1 student you are automatically allowed to work 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.
If you are a J-1 student you may work on campus but you will need a special work authorization letter from the Office of International Programs. Please ask OIP for a request form and we will issue the letter for you.
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.
Off-campus Jobs
Whether you are an F-1 or J-1 student, if you want to work off-campus you must obtain special permission from the Office of International Programs and in some cases the US Citizenship and Immigration Service. Some applications for work authorization take 2-3 months to approve so it is important to begin the process early.
F-1 Student Options
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
| Workshops offered at the OIP- Room 240, Estabrooke Hall |
| Tuesday, November 28: 12pm |
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is temporary employment directly related to a student’s field of study usually done after graduation. During OPT, a student remains in F-1 status. Your application is made through OIP and forwarded on to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD or OPT card) which grants authorization to accept relevant employment.
| Workshops offered at the OIP- Room 240, Estabrooke Hall |
| Thursday, September 28 at 12:00pm |
| Wednesday, November 8 at 4:30pm |
| Tuesday, December 5 at 4:30pm |
Special Reporting Requirements for Students on OPT
Students who are on OPT must report certain information to OIP, such as current residential address, current employer name and address, dates of employment or unemployment, changes in name, and changes in immigration status. Students on OPT can report that information here.
J-1 Student Options
Academic Training 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.
| Workshop offered at the OIP- Room 240, Estabrooke Hall |
| Wednesday, November 29 at 12:00pm |
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”.
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 which 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.
Taxes for International Students
Applying for Social Security Number