Due to employment restrictions, international students on F-1 visas should not expect to work for compensation outside the university. Off-campus work permits can be requested through the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) only in specific cases. It must be proven that the employment will not interfere with the student's academic progress. Off-campus work permission is always limited and is prohibited by the INS during the first year of study.

International students may be employed on campus provided that their employment does not displace a U.S. citizen from working and that they are in good academic standing. Such on-campus employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week. On-campus employment is sometimes difficult to obtain.

Under no circumstances may a dependent or spouse of an F-1 student (F-2) be employed. J-1 students may seek sponsor approval to work on or off campus in rare cases. A dependent or spouse of a J-1 student (J-2) may work only with the approval of the INS.