F-1 international students are eligible to work on campus in any position you may have in your office. They may work 20 hours a week while school is in session and 40 hours a week during breaks. At no time are F-1 students allowed to work off campus without special work permission.

F-1 students are not eligible to apply for social security numbers until the have secured a job or job offer. A student will be able to begin working for you as soon as he or she has applied for the social security number. He or she does not actually need the number to begin working and getting paid. When filling out form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification), W-2, or any other form that requires a social security number, you must put “applied for” if the student has not yet received his or her card. For more information go to http://www.ssa.gov/employer/hiring.htm.

F-1 students working on-campus must secure a letter from their employer to be used to apply for the social security number. For a sample of the employer letter, visit the Social Security website: Sample Employer Letter

F-1 students may get special authorization to work off-campus in certain situations. Their employment eligibility can be verified on page 3 of their I-20 and/or an Employment Authorization (EAD) card.