
International students at Boston University (BU) are allowed to work on campus and off campus under certain conditions. Students must ensure they have work authorization and permission from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) before starting any job. On-campus employment options for international students at BU include working at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore or conducting contractually-funded research. Off-campus work permission for international students is more limited and can take months to be approved. International students at BU are subject to federal and state income taxes but may be exempt from a portion of these taxes if their country has a tax treaty with the United States.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Work hours | International students can work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and more than 20 hours per week during vacation periods: winter intersession, spring break, and summer recess. |
On-campus employment | International students in F-1 and J-1 immigration status are authorized to work on the Boston University campus during their program of study. |
Off-campus employment | Off-campus work permission for international students in the U.S. is limited. Students must ensure their F-1 or J-1 immigration status allows them to work off-campus. |
Work permission | International students must obtain work permission and ensure their employment authorization is valid before starting any job. |
Social Security Number | International students are required to obtain a Social Security Number for tax purposes. |
Taxes | International students are subject to federal and state income taxes, but may be exempt from a portion of their earnings if their country has tax treaties with the U.S. |
What You'll Learn
- International students must obtain a Social Security Number for tax purposes
- On-campus jobs at BU require ISSO approval
- International students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during semesters
- Off-campus work permission for international students is limited and requires valid employment authorisation
- International students can work full-time during vacation periods
International students must obtain a Social Security Number for tax purposes
International students at Boston University who wish to work on campus must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) for tax purposes. This is a key step in the process, along with finding a job, registering for a full course of study, understanding the conditions of work permission, and completing an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification.
To apply for an SSN, international students must first obtain valid employment authorization. This can be done by obtaining a letter from a BU department confirming that the student has been offered an on-campus job. The letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed, and include the student's job title. With this letter, students can then submit a Social Security Letter Request to the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO), which will issue a second letter confirming their employment and full-time student status.
It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US. However, if a student has been authorized to work, they are required to obtain an SSN. Additionally, F-1 and J-1 students must meet Social Security Administration (SSA) eligibility requirements to apply for an SSN.
In terms of taxes, international students in F-1, J-1, or M-1 nonimmigrant status who have been in the US for less than 5 calendar years are generally considered nonresident aliens and are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes on wages earned within the US. However, if a student violates their nonimmigrant status and earns self-employment income, they may become subject to US income tax and, if they become a resident alien, self-employment tax as well.
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On-campus jobs at BU require ISSO approval
International students at Boston University (BU) are authorised to work on campus during their program of study. However, there are several steps that international students must follow before starting an on-campus job. Firstly, they must find a job on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate. This could be a position paid directly by the Student Employment Office (SEO) or with a commercial firm that provides services for students on campus, such as the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at BU.
If the job is with a commercial firm, ISSO approval is required before starting work. The ISSO (International Students and Scholars Office) offers workshops to help students understand the limits and procedures for each type of work permission. International students should speak to the ISSO before accepting any employment in the US, as their work permission is tied to maintaining lawful status. Engaging in employment without the appropriate ISSO or USCIS permission is a serious violation of immigration status and can result in penalties.
To obtain ISSO approval, students must complete a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification to confirm their authorization for US employment. They must also apply for a Social Security Number if they do not already have one. Additionally, they should understand the US tax system and research any tax treaty benefits available to them. Students from countries with tax treaties with the US may be eligible to exempt a portion of their earnings from taxes.
It is important to note that there are restrictions on the number of hours international students can work during the academic year. Residence Assistants working in BU dormitories, for example, are considered to be working 20 hours per week and are therefore not permitted to hold another position during this time. According to USCIS regulations, students may only work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During vacation periods, such as winter intersession, spring break, and summer recess, students may work more than 20 hours per week.
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International students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during semesters
International students at Boston University (BU) are authorised to work on campus during their program of study. However, there are several conditions and limitations that international students must be aware of before seeking employment.
International students must complete a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification and apply for a Social Security Number if they do not already have one. They should also be aware of the U.S. tax system and research any tax treaty benefits they may be eligible for. Students from countries with tax treaties with the United States may be able to exempt a portion of their earnings from taxes.
Off-campus work permission for international students is quite limited. Students must ensure that their F-1 or J-1 immigration status allows them to work off-campus, and applications for certain employment authorisations can take months to be approved. International students must always have valid employment authorisation before beginning any employment.
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Off-campus work permission for international students is limited and requires valid employment authorisation
International students at Boston University (BU) are authorised to work on campus during their program of study. However, off-campus work permission for international students is limited and requires valid employment authorisation. Before accepting any off-campus internship, job, or payment for services, international students must ensure that their F-1 or J-1 immigration status allows them to do so. Obtaining work permission can be a lengthy process, often taking months for certain employment authorisations to be approved.
International students must not engage in employment without the appropriate ISSO or USCIS permission, as this is a serious violation of immigration status that can result in steep penalties. To maintain lawful status, students are advised to consult with the ISSO before accepting any employment in the United States. The ISSO provides workshops to help students understand the limits and procedures for each type of work permission.
There are several conditions that international students must follow to obtain work permission. Firstly, they must find a job on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate. Secondly, they must register for a full course of study and understand the conditions of their work permission, which may include restrictions on the number of hours they can work. For example, during the semesters of required registration (Fall, Spring, and Summer if it is the final term), students may only work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Additionally, students must obtain ISSO work authorisation, complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, and apply for a Social Security Number if they do not already have one. Understanding the US tax system and researching applicable tax treaty benefits is also essential.
Several specific work permission options are available for international students experiencing financial difficulties or seeking opportunities related to their field of study. For instance, in the event of unexpected economic hardships beyond their control, students with F-1 or J-1 status may qualify for off-campus work permission to continue meeting their academic program expenses. Additionally, F-1 students can explore opportunities with international organisations recognised under the International Organization Immunities Act, gaining work permission for internships or employment within these designated entities. J-1 students can also benefit from Academic Training (AT) to gain practical experience in their major field of study.
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International students can work full-time during vacation periods
International students at Boston University must follow a few steps before starting an on-campus job. They must find a job on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate, register for a full course of study, know the conditions of their work permission, obtain ISSO work authorization, complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, and apply for a Social Security Number, if they don't already have one.
International students with an F-1 visa are allowed to work full-time during vacation periods. This is defined as when school is not in session or during the annual vacation. However, during the school term, they are only allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. F-1 students must also be mindful of the travel regulations governing their visa. If they leave the country after completing their degree but before receiving their EAD and obtaining a job, they may not be readmitted.
There are a few other considerations for international students seeking employment at BU. Firstly, summer may not be considered a vacation period for students in their first or final semester, and they can only be employed part-time during this time. Secondly, off-campus work permission for international students in the US is quite limited, and applications for certain employment authorizations can take months to be approved. Finally, international students must always have valid employment authorization before beginning any employment.
International students at BU can also consider Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Academic Training (AT) opportunities. CPT is defined as "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school." To qualify, the work experience must be required for the student's degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Prior authorization by the school's International Student Office and notification to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is required. AT, on the other hand, allows students to gain practical experience in their major field of study.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students in F-1 and J-1 immigration status are authorized to work on the Boston University campus during their program of study. There are two main types of positions and ways to be hired that qualify as on-campus employment at BU. The first is work that is paid directly by the Student Employment Office (SEO).
All international students must follow a few key steps before starting an on-campus job. This includes finding a job on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate, registering for a full course of study, knowing the conditions of your work permission, obtaining ISSO work authorization if required, completing an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, and applying for a Social Security Number if you don’t have one.
Off-campus work permission for international students in the U.S. is quite limited. Before accepting an off-campus job, international students must be certain their F-1 or J-1 immigration status allows them to begin working. Applications for certain employment authorizations can often take months to be approved, and students must always have valid employment authorization before beginning employment.