On-campus employment is the only work allowed to F-1 students without special permission from United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS). Students may engage in part-time employment, 20 hours or less, on the premises of the campus, while attending school and maintaining their F-1 status. A student may be employed by the school or by a commercial firm that operates on the campus to provide direct services to the student body (i.e. campus bookstore). Restrictions and exceptions: 

• student may not begin working more than 30 days prior to the start of classes upon initial entry.
• a transfer student can work once SEVIS record has been transferred to the school.
• student can work on campus throughout the period while pursuing a full course of study
• on-campus work is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session
• students are required to check in with a DSO at the beginning of each semester (fall, spring) to verify that they are currently enrolled at JSU.
• student are permitted to work during school breaks
• a student may NOT engage in on-campus employment after graduation during the 60-day grace period after completing the course of study unless it’s authorized as OPT
• students transferring to a new school may not work on the campus after the SEVIS record is released to the new institution.

For more information on Student Employment JSU click here.

Once you have received an offer for on-campus employment it is important that you apply for a social security number and obtain a Social Security Card (SSN).

GUIDELINES to apply for Social Security Number (SSN)