On Campus Employment for F-1 Students
The main purpose of Student Visa is Full-Time Study:
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As a student, your priority at all times is the study and not employment.
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In order to obtain the student visa, all students are required to demonstrate to the U.S. Consulate that they have sufficient funds to study in the U.S. without seeking employment.
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Nevertheless, the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) does permit international students to work (within certain limitations) on the campus of the school that issued their currently valid I-20.
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This work is permitted only while on the campus of the school which they are attending and is only permitted if they are maintaining their F-1 status.
Employment for F-1 Visa Holders:
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On-campus only (exceptions Curricular Practical Training; Optional Practical Training)
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A maximum of 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters any amount of time over 20 hours (no matter how small) is a serious violation of your F-1 visa status
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You cannot work an average of twenty hours per week. For example, you cannot work 15 hours one week and 25 the following week. You cannot work 21 one week and 19 the next. Once again the maximum that can be worked in one week during the spring and fall semester is 19 hours for direct wage and 20 hours for assistantships.
- USCIS permits full-time employment (21-40 hours per week) during vacation periods and summer. International students are not required to enroll in the summer sessions. International students can work in the summer if they have an employment offer. If the employment offer requires *enrollment, then, the employee must meet this condition. *Certain Job Positions require enrollment. Employment without enrollment will not jeopardized the student's immigration status. Summer employment will be approved by ISS as long as the student is already enrolled for the upcoming Fall semester. Employment approval is always contingent upon making satisfactory academic progress.
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As an institutional policy, undergraduate students will not be allowed to work their first semester. Graduates students will be permitted on their first semester.
Those students who violate their status or are in violation of their status will not be permitted to work until unless they have cleared their status by returning home and making a new entry with a new I-20.
Finding a Job
International students may find it challenging to find jobs on campus. To start your job search we recommend that you visit the Career Services Office. It is imperative that they know that you are an international student and that you do not qualify for “work-study” funding. Things to remember as an international student:
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The ISS does not have a listing of employment opportunities
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You do not qualify for “Work-Study” employment due to government funding involved
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You can only work “Direct Wage” jobs
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You are limited to on-campus employment only
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You are limited to 20 hours maximum per week except during winter and summer vacation
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Your best source of employment is normally the department of your major
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Ask friends if they know of openings
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Tell any interested employer that you are an international student and cannot work off-campus or work more than 20 hours a week
Since job hunting is your responsibility, it is a good idea to present a one-page resume when you visit the departments on campus where you seek employment.
Once You Have Found an On-Campus Job, Make Sure to Follow the Next Steps:
Social Security Number
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If you do not have a Social Security Number you will have to go to the Social Security Administration Offices in McAllen or Brownsville and provide a letter from the UTRGV Department that says that you have been offered employment and a letter from the Office of International Student Services You cannot apply for a Social Security number until you have been offered a job.
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You will need to wait at least 10 days after arriving in the U.S. before applying for an SSN
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New security procedures that the Social Security Administration now has in place means that your Social Security Number may take 2-6 weeks to be issued. Some have taken 4 months.
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Please refer to the handout “Applying for A U.S. Social Security Number” for details on how to format letters
On-Campus Employment Authorization Form
International students will be required to complete the On-Campus Employment Authorization Form. The link will be sent to the student's email once our office has received hiring request.
Employment of International Students for Hiring Departments
This information is provided as a guide for departments that wish to hire an international student. The process for hiring an international is exactly the same as hiring any other student. The difference is immigration regulations that govern the actual employment that occurs. The hiring request form will be routed to ISS to verify that the student is eligible and authorized to work.
It is the responsibility of each international student to adhere to the regulations and maintain their immigration status. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (956)665-2922 or (956)882-7092.