Employment Guidelines
Both F-1 and J-1 students are eligible to work on campus only. J-1 students must obtain permission from the Responsible Officer in International Student Development (ISD) before they start working. When classes are in session, you may work up to twenty (20) hours per week. If you have more than one job, be sure that your total working hours do not exceed this twenty (20) hour limit. During official school breaks (Spring & Fall Break, Reading Week, etc.) and summer session only, students may work full time only when they are not taking classes.
Unauthorized employment can result in immediate termination and deportation without the opportunity for reinstatement. There are no second chances granted.
F-2 spouses cannot work and cannot receive income for any help given.
J-2 spouses may be eligible to work if they receive approval first from the US government. J-2 spouses who are working are not permitted to use any of their income to pay for the J-1 student’s school or living expenses for the student of the family. Their income may be used for things such as: paying school fees for their children, travel back to their home country, etc.
F-1 and J-1 students may begin employment up to thirty (30) days prior to the start of classes. All on-campus employment inquiries should be directed to the DTS Employee Success office.
J-1 students must receive permission to work on campus from International Student Development each July.
Employment is limited to twenty (20) hours per week during the fall and spring semester.
You cannot begin applying for on-campus jobs at Dallas Theological Seminary until you have relocated to Dallas. In accordance with SEVIS, incoming transfer students may only begin on-campus employment after their new I-20 Form has being issued by Dallas Theological Seminary.
A general rule to go by is that it does not count as an on-campus job if you are not required to fill out paper work with Employee Success at DTS. Some jobs occurring on the Dallas campus are independent contracting jobs; these normally do not count as on-campus employment (however, Hope Coffee is one of those exceptions). Please check with International Student Development if you have questions regarding on-campus employment or a job that you believe may be closely affiliated with DTS.
Students may not work off campus. Under rare and exceptional circumstances (or CPT/OPT), off campus employment may be granted with approval from the US Government through International Student Development. All forms of service for which payment is received (including reduced rent, babysitting, gift cards, honorariums, etc.) are considered employment. Except for on-campus employment or authorized off-campus employment, it is illegal for you or your spouse to provide any kind of service (work) with the expectation of reduced rent or some other gain.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a structured educational program which combines classroom learning with productive work experience in a field related to a student’s academic program. CPT is available to F-1 students who are in programs that require an internship, apprenticeship, or practicum.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of temporary employment authorization for eligible F-1 students.
Post-completion OPT allows you to work anywhere in the United States, as long as the employment is directly related to your program of study. For DTS students, that means your OPT must be ministry related.
While a Designated School Official (DSO) recommends post-completion OPT in SEVIS, you as the student must apply for the work permit with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
If the post-completion OPT is approved by the US government, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The student must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.
You are only eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if you are employed with either on-campus or authorized off-campus employment. If you have one of these positions and need an SSN, contact International Student Development and they will provide you with a letter to give to the Social Security Administration when applying for your SSN.
Often, churches and similar non-profit ministries in Dallas or Houston like to give financial compensation in exchange for ministry help. Under your non-immigrant status, this is illegal to accept unless this is contracted under CPT or OPT. For additional information regarding CPT or OPT, see Study in the States.
Unless you make arrangements with International Student Development, it is not permissible to take a regular salaried position in a church or ministry. If a church or any other tax-exempt ministry offers you employment, you should ask the church or ministry to change your visa to ‘Religious Worker’ (R-1). The ministry would do this through the services of an immigration lawyer. Your employer would submit the required application, not DTS; once approved, you would then be able to work full time in that position, but could only study at DTS part time – pending approval by your employer – and would have a different set of restrictions and freedoms. Please see International Student Development for details.
