EMPLOYMENT

One of the more complex issues faced by international students is navigating employment in the United States. We have provided a brief overview here for your convenience. If you have any questions, please feel free to schedule an appointment to meet with an international student advisor to discuss your situation in detail.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT WORK OFF-CAMPUS WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING AUTHORIZATION FROM ISSS OR UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES.

ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT

Students in F-1 and J-1 status may work on campus as long as you maintain a full course of study and have a valid I-20 or DS-2019. Students in other immigration statuses may work on campus only with proper employment authorization.

On-campus employment must take place on the university’s premises, and the paycheck must be issued by The University of Texas at Austin. If you apply for a job on campus and you learn that an entity other than UT Austin is going to pay you, please check with an International Student Advisor before accepting the job.

F-1 STUDENTS F-1 students may work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Working more than 20 hours per week is permitted only during vacation periods for enrolled and continuing students. No special permission is necessary for students who have a valid I-20 issued by UT Austin. Please note that per UT policy, summer academic assignments cannot exceed 30 hours per week.

J-1 STUDENTS If your DS-2019 was issued by UT Austin, then your ability to work on campus is the same as F-1 students, but you must notify ISSS before beginning the employment (see NOTE below). However, if your DS-2019 was issued by another entity (e.g. IIE, Laspau, Amideast, etc.), then you must have written authorization from that program sponsor granting you permission to work on the UT Austin campus.

NOTE Per United States Department of State requirements, J-1 students on a DS-2019 issued by UT must notify ISSS anytime they accept or terminate employment. Please fill out our secure, online form to report any changes to on-

campus employment: GLOBAL.UTEXAS.EDU/ ISSS/STUDENTS/WORK/CAMPUS

FINDING A JOB For tips on how to look for a job on campus and other information, please see the ISSS website.

GLOBAL.UTEXAS.EDU/ISSS/IMMIGRATION/ONCAMPUS-EMPLOYMENT

OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT

F-1 and J-1 students have different types of work authorization to allow them to work off campus. You should not work off campus without first receiving permission from ISSS or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you have any questions about what type of employment you might be eligible for, please review the information in this section, look at the information on our website, or schedule an appointment to meet with an international student advisor. For more detailed information you can review the ISSS website:

GLOBAL.UTEXAS.EDU/ISSS/IMMIGRATION

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR F-1

STUDENTS Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization directly related to your academic program and must be in your field of study. You must be enrolled full time for one academic year before requesting CPT and must either obtain credit for the employment or fulfill a mandatory degree requirement. Your academic advisor will need to recommend the employment and verify how it is related to your course of study. CPT is authorized by an international student advisor in ISSS. You cannot start any work until you receive a new I-20 with the CPT authorization on page 2 from ISSS.

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR F-1

STUDENTS Optional Practical Training (OPT) is also temporary employment authorization where the work is directly related to your academic program. However, OPT does not require you to obtain course credit for the employment. You must be enrolled full-time for one academic year before requesting OPT. Applications are made to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with the help of an international student advisor. You must receive OPT authorization from USCIS before you may begin employment. It takes an estimated three months to receive approval, so advanced planning is required.

The two main types of OPT are pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT. Most students apply for post-completion OPT after they graduate from UT Austin. Pre-completion OPT is used by students who don’t otherwise qualify for CPT and are still enrolled in their program.

ACADEMIC TRAINING FOR J-1 STUDENTS

Academic training is temporary employment authorization directly related to your academic program. Unlike CPT for F-1 students, academic training does not require enrollment in a course or the fulfillment of degree requirements. However, your academic advisor will need to explain how the employment is related to your major and why it is an integral or critical part of your degree program. An international student advisor at ISSS will then authorize the employment.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER INFORMATION

GLOBAL.UTEXAS.EDU/ISSS/LIFE-AT-UT/SSN.

DO I QUALIFY FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

In order to qualify for a Social Security Number (SSN), F-1 and J-1 students must first have an offer of employment. Students who receive scholarships and fellowships with no employment are not eligible for an SSN and should apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you are not employed and do not have a scholarship or fellowship, then you do not qualify for an SSN or ITIN.

HOW DO I GET AN SSN? If you have obtained on-campus employment and need an SSN, you must first complete the Social Security Employment Verification Letter found at

After the letter is signed by your hiring department and ISSS, you will need to take all of your immigration documents to the Social Security Office. You can find a list of instructions and available offices on our website at

GLOBAL.UTEXAS.EDU/ISSS/LIFE-AT-UT/SSN.

HOW SOON MAY I APPLY FOR THE SSN?

Please note that you must wait 10 days after arriving in the United States AND two days after you register for classes before you may apply for the SSN. The Social Security Office will be unable to process your application outside of this timeframe.