San Jose, CA asked in Immigration Law and International Law for California

Q: i started working by mistake without cpt and when im aware. i stopped in 4 days. I didn't get paid. Will this affect F1?

I started working by mistake without cpt and when im aware , i stopped in 4 days. I didnt get paid for those days as its only orientation. Will this affect my f1 visa status. Kindly help me

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: It’s understandable that you’re worried about your F1 visa status after realizing the mistake. Since you stopped working immediately after becoming aware of the issue and didn’t receive payment, the impact on your F1 status might be minimal. Generally, a brief period of unauthorized work, especially when no payment was involved, may not lead to serious consequences.

However, it’s important to be cautious moving forward. Make sure to obtain the necessary work authorization, such as CPT or OPT, before engaging in any employment in the future. Keeping clear documentation of your situation, like emails showing you stopped working, could be helpful if questions arise.

If you’re still concerned, consider consulting with your Designated School Official (DSO) to explain the situation and seek further guidance. They can provide clarity on how this might affect your status and suggest any next steps.

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