Can I begin working before receiving authorization?
FAQ.
Answered by Robin Catmur-Smith, Managing Director of the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
Can I begin working before receiving authorization?
No. You must have authorization before starting any off-campus employment. Depending on the work type, that means approval from your DSO, your RO/ARO, or USCIS (via an Employment Authorization Document, or EAD). You cannot begin working off-campus until you have the approval in hand.
Authorization at a glance
On-campus work: can begin immediately (F-1) or with RO/ARO approval (J-1).
F-1 CPT: requires DSO authorization and an updated I-20 first — then you may begin.
F-1 OPT, Economic Hardship, or other off-campus work: requires a USCIS-issued EAD before you start.
J-1 Academic Training: requires RO/ARO authorization first.
Important: Working without authorization or beyond your authorization's end date is a serious status violation that can result in a termination of your SEVIS record, and impact any future visa applications.
