Most international students at Terra Dotta University with F-1 and J-1 visas are eligible to work on and off campus at different times during their studies. However, there are a variety of important requirements and regulations related to these forms of employment. Please read the following section and then consult with an ISSS advisor if you have additional questions.

Note: M-1 visa holders are not eligible for on-campus employment, but may be eligible for up to 6-months of practical training after completing their degree program.

Definition of Employment

Employment is any type of work performed for services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. If you receive no pay or other benefit for the work performed, this activity is not generally defined as employment, but can be considered to be volunteer work.

The most important employment issue that you always need to keep in mind is the issue of legal (or "authorized") versus illegal (or "unauthorized") employment. You must always make sure that any employment you plan to engage in is legal employment. Any unauthorized (i.e. illegal) employment - even for one day - even if you did not know it was illegal - poses a grave threat to your ability to remain in or return to the United States. And you must always make sure that you have the necessary employment authorization before you begin work, since starting work without prior authorization-even if you receive authorization later-constitutes illegal employment.