Can international students work part-time in the USA?

I'm an international student planning to study in the USA and was wondering if I'm allowed to take on a part-time job. Are there specific restrictions or types of jobs I can or cannot do? Any advice would be helpful!

As an international student in the U.S. on an F1 student visa, you are permitted to work, but there are certain restrictions. Your part-time employment must satisfy all of the following conditions:

1. On-campus employment: International students are allowed to work on their college campus for up to 20 hours a week during the academic year, and full-time during vacation periods. This could be a job in a university department, a library, a cafeteria, or any other facility affiliated with the college. It's also possible to work for a private contractor, like a bookstore or food service provider, as long as they provide direct services to students.

2. Off-campus employment (rarely granted): The other option would be working off-campus, which is typically only approved under severe economic hardship or for specific types of internships (Curricular Practical Training or CPT, and Optional Practical Training or OPT). Note that CPT and OPT both require authorization from both your school and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

It is crucial not to work off-campus without official permission, as it would violate your visa status and could lead to deportation. Your designated school official (DSO) or international student office will be the best source of information on your college’s policies and how to apply for off-campus employment.