Working On and Off Campus - International Education Center

U.S. Government Tax Filing Requirements

Working in the U.S.

The United States has very strict rules regarding foreign nationals working in the United States. International students in valid F-1 or J-1 status may work on-campus at the school they are authorized to attend for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during vacation and holiday breaks. Students in valid F-1 or J-1 status cannot be employed off-campus without meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining prior written authorization. Immigration regulations severely limit the international student's eligibility to accept employment off-campus. Students found working illegally are failing to maintain their F-1 student and risk having their F-1 visa revoked.

U.S. Social Security Number

In the United States, a Social Security number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued to citizens and eligible non-citizens. Its primary purpose is to track individuals for taxation purposes. A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job on campus and off campus. Many other businesses, such as cell phone companies, banks and credit companies, also ask for your SS number. You cannot apply for a SSN until you have a job offer and an employer cannot pay you until you provide them with your SSN.

To apply for a SSN, bring the following documents to the Social Security Office, located at 437 Main Street in Dunkirk, NY:

A letter from your employer, on company letterhead, stating the job title, work hours, start date and rate of pay.
A letter from your school's International Student Advisor confirming your eligibility to work.
Your passport and visa and I-94 Card
Your SEVIS I-20
Your Fred Card
The SSN application, which can be picked up from the International Office, or downloaded online from http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html

If your application is approved, you will receive your Social Security Card within a few weeks. Keep your SS Card in a safe place - it is difficult and costly to replace.

On Campus Jobs

Job openings can be found on the Student Payroll Bulletin Board in Maytum Hall and on the Student Payroll Office website

FSA Food Service and Bookstore: Faculty Student Association employs students in the Erie and Cranston Dining Halls, Connections Food Court, Signature Cafes, and Connections Bookstore. Positions include kitchen prep, catering servers, pre-pack services, etc. (The Stir-Fry station at Erie seems to be a popular choice J). The average wage is $6 an hour and you to work about 8-10 hours a week. To apply please visit the FSA office located in Gregory Hall. For any FSA employment questions please call Lorrie at 673-3417 ext. 225 or Michelle at ext. 226.
Night Desk Attendant: Most residence halls on campus, except for Gregory, have a Guest Sign-In policy from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day. Night Desk Attendants are responsible for sitting desk at the main entrance and signing residents' guests in and out. You will be paid $6 per hour. Talk to your Residence Advisor or Residence Director about applying for NDA job.
Learning Center Tutor: Tutors at the Learning Center help students with various subjects ranging from math to foreign languages. To be a tutor at the Learning Center, you have to apply in the spring semester, usually by March, to be a tutor the following year. You will need to get a recommendation from advisor to prove you have the academic knowledge for the course(s) you will be tutoring. To start, you will get paid $7.25 an hour and receive a paycheck every two weeks from Student Payroll. For more information on the tutoring service, please contact the Learning Center at (716) 673-3550.

Other Campus Employers

Off Campus Employment

Immigration regulations severely limit an international student's eligibility to accept employment off-campus. Students found working illegally are failing to maintain their F-1 student and risk having their F-1 visa revoked. Off-campus employment is only allowed in the following circumstances:

Curricular Practical Training: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is employment that trains you in your field of study for which you fulfill academic credit or part of your degree requirement. It may be a paid or unpaid internship, cooperative education job, a practicum, or other experience that is related in your field of study. Students interested in doing a CPT must make an appointment to see an advisor in the International Education Center before beginning CPT to find out if they are eligible and to pick up the CPT application forms.

Optional Practical Training: Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work in your major area of study as authorized by the Bureau of Immigration and Citizenship Services (BCIS). A student must be enrolled for a full academic year before accessing the OPT benefit. Students interested in doing a OPT must make an appointment to see an advisor in the International Education Center before beginning OPT to find out if they are eligible and to pick up the OPT application forms.

Severe Economic Hardship Employment This benefit is available to students who have completed at least one semester and have proven a severe economic hardship caused by circumstances beyond his or her control that arose after obtaining F-1 status, and that campus employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient. This type of employment is extremely rare. Students must make an appointment to see an advisor in the International Education Center to find out if they are eligible and to pick up the Economic Hardship application forms.

Employment with International Organization Students may be eligible for employment at an international organization if they have been in F-1 status for at least 9 months and are in good academic standing. This type of employment must be offered in the form of an internship within your field of study, by a USCIS recognized international organization. Students interested in doing a this must make an appointment to see an advisor in the International Education Center before beginning to find out if they are eligible and to pick up an application form.

For more information about getting authorization for off campus employment go to the International Education Office.

U.S. Government Tax Filing Requirements

International students must file tax forms each year, regardless of whether or not any income was earned. Failure to file the required tax forms can effect your visa status. To download tax forms, form instructions, tax presentations (including form examples), tax treaty information and find out more details about filing your taxes as an international student, visit http://wings.buffalo.edu/intlservices/isss_tax.html Tax forms are due in the spring and the International Education Center conducts a workshop to answer general questions about the forms required.