On-Campus Employment for F-1 Students: Guidance for Designated School Officials

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Approval Process

2.1. How do F 1 students get permission to work on-campus?

2.2. What do I need to enter into SEVIS?

2.3. What records do I need to keep?

2.4. My school has several campuses in the local area. Can a F-1 student work at a different campus?

2.5. What do F 1 students need to do to change on-campus jobs?

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2.1. How do F 1 students get permission to work on-campus?

F 1 students need to work with you to ensure the job offered qualifies as on-campus employment.

F 1 students will need certification letters from you and the employer. The student will need to present these letters to the local Social Security Administration Office to get a social security number.

2.2. What do I need to enter into SEVIS?

If the student intends to list on-campus employment as a means of support in their financial information, indicate that the student is working on-campus in the on-campus employment field in SEVIS when you create the student’s initial record by entering the dollar amount of the anticipated income.

If the student’s means of support changes and they now wish to list on-campus employment, you must update the student’s record accordingly.

You may include on-campus employment information in the SEVIS remarks section even if the student does not intend to list this work as a means of support.

Terminate the student’s SEVIS record for Unauthorized Employment if the student engages in any unauthorized employment or works hours in excess of those allowed.

2.3. What records do I need to keep?

SEVP recommends that you keep a copy of the letter from each employer that describes the type of work, the affiliation to the school (if needed), and the number of hours the student will work.

Keep a copy of your letter to the Social Security Administration certifying that the student may work on-campus.

2.4. My school has several campuses in the local area. Can a F-1 student work at a different campus?

An F-1 student may work at a campus other than the one where he or she attends class if the campus is:

• Within reasonable commuting distance;
• Listed on the same Form I-17; and
• Within your jurisdiction as DSO.

2.5. What do F 1 students need to do to change on-campus jobs?

They will need to consult with you before changing jobs to ensure that the new position qualifies as on-campus employment and to ensure you have the correct employment information in their files.