F-1 Visa Students
On-campus employment is inherent to F-1 status and does not require special permission. So long as you remain in valid F-1 status, you may work on campus. New regulations require you to have a job offer and complete the F-1 Job Offer Form. Download the form here. See "Both Visa Types" below for limitations to on-campus employment.
J-1 Visa Students
On-campus employment requires permission--that is, written authorization from the sponsoring agency that issued the Form DS 2019. If UMass Dartmouth is your program sponsor, this permission is given by the ISSC Director, or if sponsored by an outside agency such as Fulbright, contact the Responsible Officer (RO) at your sponsoring agency. See "Both Visa Types" below for other requirements and limitations to on-campus employment.
For on-campus employment, you do not need to demonstrate unforeseen economic necessity.
Off-campus employment also requires permission, whether the work is related to one's studies (called Academic Training) or due to unforeseen economic necessity. Contacts are the same as for on-campus employment permission.
Both Visa Types
On-campus employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session but may be full time during vacations, semester break, and summer. You will need to apply for and receive a Social Security Number from the U.S. Social Security Administration in order to work at the University. The International Student & Scholar Center will give you a support letter or assist you in completeing the form required for the application process. There is a waiting period of two weeks after you arrive in the U.S. before you can apply.
Information about Application for Social Security Number
On-campus employment can take the form of a job in an academic or administrative department (undergraduates or graduate students) and/or graduate assistantships. International students (F-1, J-1, etc.) are not eligible for on-campus "work-study" employment, which is sponsored by the U.S. Federal Government.
As soon as your F-1 or J-1 is complete (for example, upon graduation, at the end of an authorized employment period such as post completion OPT or Academic Training, or completion of an exchange program), you may not work.
Employment Eligibility for Dependents
Dependents of F-1 visa holders, who hold the F-2 visa, may not work.
Dependents of J-1 visa holders, who hold the J-2 visa, may work in some circumstances, with permission from the sponsoring agency and federal authorization.
Updated 7/19/2012
