Printer FriendlyEmployment Law
Some students hope to supplement their income by working while they are completing their studies. The following is a brief summary of some relevant laws governing employment of foreign students:
- F-1 visa holders can work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during vacation periods. This time limit includes the number of hours required by assistantship appointments. We don’t guarantee or assist in getting employment for any student.
- F-1 visa holders may not seek any off-campus employment until they have been in F-1 status for two full academic terms.
- J-1 visa holders may not accept any employment without written permission of their visa sponsors, which is the institution or agency issuing the DS-2019.
Dependents
- F-2 visa holders cannot work under any circumstances.
- J -2 visa holders may be able to work with special permission from the USCIS.
Before Looking for Employment
Before attempting to find on-campus employment of any kind, verify that you are eligible to work by contacting our office. Also, it will be valuable to have a current resume. The Office of Career Services can help you prepare and format your resume as well as provide practice interviews. Career Services is located on North Campus in Southwick Hall, Room 200. A guide to all of the services offered may be found on their Web site.
Obtaining A Social Security Number (SSN)
A SSN is a number issued to citizens, permanent residents and temporary (working) residents by the Social Security Administration of the government of the United States. Its primary purpose is tracking working individuals for taxation purposes and to track Social Security benefits.
To apply for a social security card, students must:
- Be in a valid F-1 or J-1 visa status;
- Be registered for a full credit course load and be registered in SEVIS before going to the Social Security Office;
- Wait 15 days after entering the U. S. to ensure their information has been processed at the port of entry;
- Bring a letter of employment from Human Resources to the Social Security Office;
- Bring a letter certifying full time enrollment at UML from the ISSO to the Social Security Office;
- Complete application (Form SS-5), downloadable from the Social Security website ;
- Bring the completed Form SS-5 along with the following documents from the Social Security Office.
Passport
- F-1 or J-1 Visa
- SEVIS I-20 or DS2019
- Signed letters from HR and ISSO
- Valid I-94
Ask for a written receipt indicating that you have been approved for a social security number. In most cases, your social security card will arrive in the mail in about two (2) weeks after you apply.