International students in F-1 status are eligible to work on-campus without prior authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). On-campus employment includes assistantships and other work on campus that is not considered work study. However, students are limited to 20 hours of work per week except for annual vacation times like Summer vacation and holidays when they are eligible to work up to 40 hours per week.

J-1 students in certain circumstances can also work on campus. They should first speak to someone in the OIP before accepting employment. Anyone in the F-2 immigration status is ineligible to accept employment (see Dependents below).

Many graduate students have assistantships during the academic year that are 20 hours per week, therefore, making them ineligible for additional work on-campus. However, if a graduate student has an assistantship that is 10 hours of work per week, then he/she is eligible for an additional 10 hours of work.

Many students have their spouse and children with them in the U.S. Spouses and children of F-1 or J-1 students are classified as F-2 or J-2 respectively. People in the F-2 category are NOT able to study nor accept assistantships or any other type of employment. If an F-2 is offered admission and/or an assistantship or other employment they must change their status to F-1 before they can register for classes or begin employment.

For the change of status, the F-2 should make an appointment with an adviser in the OIP in order to complete the paperwork. It may take up to 3 to 4 months for immigration to process the papers. Meanwhile, the F-2 must wait until the change of status to F-1 has been approved prior to taking classes. Once the F-2 has been granted an approval by USCIS to become an F-1, he/she cannot be paid for the time he/she was an F-2. The first day of payment should commence on the first day the student is an F-1.

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• Complete a W-4 and an I-9 form within 3 working days. These forms are located in the Payroll Office, Old Main room 205.

• Documentation you need to bring with you in order to complete the above forms.
  • Passport
  • Social Security card. You must have a social security number before a payroll check can be issued to you.
  • Individuals on a F-1 visa bring your I-20 and I-94 card.
  • Individuals on F-2 visa status are not eligible to work.
  • Individuals on a J-1 visa bring your IAP66 and I-94 card.
  • Individuals on a J-2 visa bring your employment authorization card.
  • Individuals on a H-1 visa bring your I-797 form
  • Individuals on a H-4 visa status are not eligible to work.
  • F-1 students can work no more than 20 hrs a week while school is in session.
    example:
    • An individual who is on a graduate research assistantship or a graduate teaching assistantship and is being paid for 10 hours can work another 10 hours in another department.
    • An individual who is a graduate research assistant or a graduate teaching assistant and is being paid for 20 hours can not work in another department.
  • Any time you have a change in your immigration status or you receive an extension on your stay, you need to bring in your new documentation to the Payroll Office.
  • If you have any questions please call the Payroll Office. (701)231-6251

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