Important Update: Court Action on Duration of Status (D/S) Rule:
On Monday, September 14, 2026, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Massachusetts (Presidents' Alliance et al. v. DHS) has issued an injunction,
temporarily blocking DHS from implementing this rule for F and J visa holders. As
a result, the rule ending D/S will NOT take effect on September 15th as originally scheduled, and the current D/S framework
remains in place for now.
What this means is that:
- You and your dependents may continue to be admitted and to remain in the U.S. for Duration of Status, as long as you continue to comply with the terms of your program.
- You do not currently need to apply for an Extension of Stay under the fixed-admission-period system the new rule would have created
- If you are an F-1 student, you are not subject to the rule's new limits on changing your educational objective, transferring institutions, or pursuing additional programs of study – these restrictions also do not go into effect while the preliminary injunction is in place.
- No action is required on your part at this time.
On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule establishing a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure for F nonimmigrant academic students and J exchange visitors. This rule is effective on September 15, 2026, and will impact several aspects of the F-visa and J-visa program regulations. For detailed information regarding the DHS Final Rule, we encourage you to visit Study in the States, the official online resource managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) by clicking HERE. Accordingly, updates to our website content are in progress.
At Nova Southeastern University, we are committed to supporting our international students in achieving their academic and professional goals. Understanding the opportunities available for on-campus employment and STEM OPT extensions is important for maximizing your educational journey in the United States.
On-Campus Employment
On-campus employment is a valuable benefit of your student visa status, allowing you to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session, and full-time (up to 37.5 hours per week) during approved vacations and breaks. This opportunity does not require you to apply for financial aid. However, you must meet all admission requirements, be registered for classes, and maintain your visa status.
On-campus employment does not need approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). To begin working, you must obtain a Social Security card and report your earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Important Points to Remember
- You must maintain your visa status.
- You may only work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic term.
- You may work full-time (up to 37.5 hours per week) during approved vacations and breaks.
- You must be fully enrolled according to your degree level and program of study, unless you have an approved Reduced Course Load.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, international students on F-1 or J-1 visas can work on campus at the school they are attending, provided they meet certain criteria. To be eligible, you must have an F-1 or J-1 visa, be enrolled full-time, and maintain lawful student status.
Your eligibility for on-campus employment remains valid only as long as you maintain lawful F-1 or J-1 status. If you violate your status, you lose your eligibility to work on campus since on-campus employment is a benefit granted only to students who maintain lawful status.
Working on campus after violating your status is considered illegal employment. This can result in serious consequences, including the risk of deportation and the loss of eligibility for future benefits from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such as practical training, academic training, or changing to another nonimmigrant status.
A student who arrives in the U.S. with an "initial attendance" I-20 can start working on campus no more than 30 days before the start date indicated on their I-20 form. Transfer students can also begin on-campus employment within these 30 days, but only after they have completed their legal transfer to Nova Southeastern University. Transfer students should verify with the ISO that their transfer is complete before starting on-campus employment.
The Social Security Office does not require you to have a Social Security number before you start work. However, the Internal Revenue Service requires employers to report wages using a Social Security number. While you wait for your Social Security number, your employer can use a letter from Social Security stating that you applied for a number. Your employer may use your immigration documents as proof of your authorization to work in the United States.
Contact Us
Phone:
(954) 262-7240 or
800-541-6682, ext. 27240
Email:
intl@nova.edu
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed weekends and major holidays
Address:
Nova Southeastern University
3300 S. University Drive
Horvitz Admin. Bldg, 2nd Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328-2004