Working Illegally on a F1 Visa

Hi all,

I am a senior college student graduating in three months (May 2013). I recently discovered that a two-month internship (March 2012-May 2012) which awarded me a 600-dollar stipend was indeed considered illegal employment (I did not have OPT/CPT during that time). I did not think the stipend constituted an employment, but now I finally understood. I have traveled internationally and re-entered US twice with a new F-1 visa after the internship till now.

(1) I have NOT reported this to the international office of my school. If I do, can I still attend classes for the rest of the semester so I can graduate? Or I will need to depart and come back, if granted entry, for the next semester? What are the consequences? Does me bringing myself to them give any relief to me?

(2) How many days of unlawful presence have I accrued?

(3) I have a company to sponsor me with H1-B visa. However, if I can completely resolve the illegal employment issue, I am willing to give up the opportunity. The job was what I have fought for the rest of my college life, but I want to be honest and "clean". I do not want the illegal employment issue to haunt me later.


Thank you for answering. I sincerely appreciate any help.

Go and talk to your DSO

Thank you for your response. May I ask whether you know what is likely to happen after I talk to my DSO?

There is no way of knowing since the specifics of the situation make a difference.

The DSO is there to assist you. If you ever have a question about your status, that should be your first stop. Don't worry. I doubt it is as bad as you are imagining.