On-Campus Employment
On-campus employment is a benefit of one's F-1 or J-1 status. Students can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and full time during breaks. Students who have secured on-campus employment will need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they do not already have one.
In general, for a position to be considered on-campus employment, the F-1/J-1 student must be working:
- On Emory's campus;
- For Emory; and
- On Emory's payroll.
If all three on-campus employment conditions are met, F-1 students do not need to obtain employment authorization. However, J-1 students must obtain written on-campus work authorization from ISSS before their start date. Open the "J-1 Students" section below for more details.
If these three conditions are not met (for example, if a student will be working on-campus but the payment will come from professor or an organization other than Emory University), the student must speak with their ISSS advisor prior to beginning any employment. Some positions (including positions offered through the Rollins Earn and Learn (REAL) program) are covered under on-campus employment regulations, but require some additional paperwork.
Tips for Finding an On-Campus Job
- Search for on-campus jobs through Handshake.
- Look out for the career fair held on campus at the beginning of each semester.
- Visit Emory's Career Center for help with resumes, applying for jobs, interviewing, and more.
Guidelines and Restrictions
- When an international student first enters the country in F-1 status, their first day of employment should be no earlier than 30 days before classes start.
- While school is in session, F-1 students cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During the summer and other breaks, they can work full time.
- F-1 students cannot continue employment after they have finished their program of study, unless they have a new I-20 for a new program of study.
- F-1 students can only work at the school that controls their SEVIS record. If a student is attending two institutions at the same time, they can only work on the campus that issued their I-20.
Social Security Numbers (SSNs)
To apply for a SSN based on F-1 on-campus employment, students should follow the procedures outlined on the Social Security Numbers webpage.
Eligibility
J-1 students can work on campus during the academic year if they:
- Are in good academic standing.
- Are enrolled in a full course load (except during breaks).
- Will work no more than 20 hours per week.
- During the summer and other breaks, J-1 students can work full time.
- Get written authorization from ISSS before their start date, and renew it every 12 months.
- Any changes will require new written authorization from ISSS and updated paperwork from the Emory hiring department.
Authorization Process
- Obtain an on-campus position (includes teaching or research assistantships as part of a student's graduate program).
- Log into ISSS Link and complete the On-Campus Employment Authorization e-form.
- In the e-form, the student will be asked to provide the name and e-mail of the on-campus hiring manager.
- Upon submission of the e-form, the student's hiring manager will receive an e-mail requesting that they log into ISSS Link and provide the employment details (i.e. position, address, dates, hours per week, supervisor name, etc.).
- J-1 students should let their hiring manager know to expect an e-mail from ISSS.
- The e-form should be completed in a timely manner as the student cannot begin employment until it is completed by the hiring manager and approved by ISSS.
- Once the hiring manager submits their portion of the e-form, the student's ISSS advisor will review the request within 5 business days. If approved, the ISSS advisor will create a J-1 on-campus employment authorization letter and e-mail it to the student.
- Upon receiving the authorization letter, the J-1 student should:
- Send a copy of the letter to their hiring manager to begin the hiring process.
- Follow the procedures outlined on the Social Security Numbers webpage to apply for a SSN.
- Contact Emory's nonresident tax specialists (nonresident.tax@emory.edu) for information about tax treaty benefits and assistance in completing tax paperwork.