
International students at Boston University (BU) can work on campus during their program of study if they have F-1 or J-1 immigration status. Before starting an on-campus job, international students must find a job, register for a full course of study, know the conditions of their work permission, obtain work authorization from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO), complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, and apply for a Social Security Number if they don't already have one. International students are subject to federal and state income taxes, but tax treaties may exempt a portion of their earnings. Students cannot work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year, but they can work more than 20 hours during vacation periods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work hours | International students at Boston University can work up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and more than 20 hours per week during vacation periods. Residence assistants are considered to be working 20 hours a week and cannot accept other jobs during the academic year. |
| Work permission | International students with F-1 or J-1 immigration status are authorized to work on campus during their program of study. Students in other immigration statuses may be authorized for off-campus employment under certain circumstances but must consult with an advisor before beginning work. |
| Tax | International students are subject to federal and state income taxes, but those from countries with tax treaties with the US may be eligible for exemptions. |
| Social Security Number | International students must apply for a Social Security Number for tax purposes after receiving a job offer. |
| Eligibility criteria | International students must meet eligibility criteria to work on campus and can search for positions through the JobX Student Job Board. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- International students can work on-campus at BU with prior ISSO approval
- Off-campus work permission for international students is limited and requires valid employment authorisation
- International students are subject to federal and state income taxes, but some tax treaties may apply
- International students cannot work more than 20 hours per week during semesters
- International students can work full-time during vacation periods

International students can work on-campus at BU with prior ISSO approval
International students at Boston University (BU) can work on-campus if they have prior approval from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). To get ISSO approval, students must follow a few key steps. Firstly, they must find a job on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate. Students must then register for a full course of study and understand the conditions of their work permission. Next, they must obtain ISSO work authorization and complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. Finally, they must apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they don't already have one.
International students in F-1 and J-1 immigration status are authorized to work on the BU campus during their program of study. There are two main types of positions that qualify as on-campus employment at BU. The first is work that is paid directly by the Student Employment Office (SEO). The second is work for a commercial firm that provides services for students on campus, such as the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at BU. For the latter, students will need ISSO approval before they can begin working.
International students can search for on-campus jobs through the JobX Student Job Board. They may also find opportunities through word-of-mouth or by looking at job listings posted around campus. It is important to note that international students may only work on campus unless they have received specific off-campus employment authorization from ISSO. Additionally, international students are subject to both federal and state income taxes. However, students from countries with tax treaties with the United States may be eligible for tax exemptions.
International Students: Food Stamps Eligibility
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Off-campus work permission for international students is limited and requires valid employment authorisation
International students at Boston University (BU) must follow specific procedures and regulations regarding employment, as outlined by BU, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and their sponsoring agencies. While international students are typically permitted to work on campus, off-campus work permission is more limited and requires valid employment authorisation.
International students wishing to work off-campus must ensure that their F-1 or J-1 immigration status allows them to do so. Obtaining off-campus work permission can be a lengthy process, and applications for certain employment authorisations may take months to be approved. It is crucial for international students to consult with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) before accepting any off-campus employment to maintain lawful immigration status. Engaging in unauthorised employment can result in serious consequences and penalties.
To obtain off-campus work permission, international students must meet specific eligibility criteria. One circumstance that may qualify students for off-campus work permission is facing unexpected economic hardships due to severe economic difficulties beyond their control. In such cases, students may be granted permission to work off-campus to help meet the expenses of their academic program. Additionally, international students who secure internship placements or employment with designated international organisations recognised under the International Organization Immunities Act may also qualify for off-campus work permission.
It is important to note that international students must always have valid employment authorisation before commencing any off-campus work. The ISSO provides workshops and resources to help international students understand the limits and procedures for each type of work permission. Students should take advantage of these resources and carefully review the conditions of their work permission to ensure compliance with immigration regulations. By following the appropriate procedures, international students can successfully navigate the process of obtaining off-campus work permission and maintain their immigration status while studying at BU.
Does UT Offer Financial Aid for International Students?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

International students are subject to federal and state income taxes, but some tax treaties may apply
International students at Boston University can work on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate. However, there are a few key steps to follow before starting an on-campus job, including registering for a full course of study and obtaining work authorization from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). International students are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes for the first five calendar years of their stay in the US. As such, they are subject to federal and state income taxes.
The amount of tax international students have to pay depends on their income, the tax rates of the state, and their entitlement to tax treaty benefits. The US has income tax treaties with 65 countries, which can often reduce or eliminate US tax on various types of income, including pensions, interest, dividends, royalties, and capital gains. These treaties may also exempt students from Social Security and Medicare taxes. For example, there is a specific rule for certain non-resident aliens from India, who can claim the standard deduction under Article 21 of the US-India Income Tax Treaty.
International students with an F-1 visa who intend to reside in the US for more than one year are subject to a 30% taxation on their capital gains during any tax year in which they are present in the US for 183 days or more. Additionally, 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 income that is not taxable due to a tax treaty must still be reported on a US income tax return, even if no tax is due.
To aid in the job search, Boston University provides a specific "On-Campus" category within its Student Job Service. International students may also find opportunities through word-of-mouth or by looking at job listings posted around campus. It is important to note that international students may only work on campus unless they have received specific off-campus employment authorization from ISSO.
International Students: Accessing Canada's Food Banks
You may want to see also
Explore related products

International students cannot work more than 20 hours per week during semesters
International students at Boston University are limited by federal regulations to a maximum of 20 hours of on-campus work per week during semesters of required registration (Fall, Spring, and Summer if it is the student's final term). This includes graduate teaching fellow and research assistant appointments, as well as any additional on-campus employment. For example, Residence Assistants working in Boston University dormitories are considered to be working 20 hours per week and therefore should not take on another position during the academic year. Students with a Resident Assistant or Teaching Assistant role can only work a maximum of 20 hours per week and are not permitted to hold additional jobs.
International students on an F-1 visa are also authorised to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and may work full-time during breaks and annual vacations. Students on an F-1 visa must also ensure that their work does not displace a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
During official University break periods, such as Intersession and Spring Break, students are permitted to work up to 40 hours per week. However, PhD students should not work more than 20 hours per week, even during University break periods, as their stipend reflects this number of hours.
Students may, on a case-by-case basis, request approval for exceptions to the 20-hour limit during semesters. Exceptions should only be granted if the additional hours of work clearly benefit the student's academic or professional development without slowing their degree progress.
International Students: Post-Graduation Stay Options in the US
You may want to see also
Explore related products

International students can work full-time during vacation periods
International students at Boston University can work full-time during vacation periods. However, there are several conditions and restrictions that must be considered.
Firstly, international students must adhere to the eligibility criteria for on-campus employment. This includes registering for a full course of study, understanding the conditions of their work permission, and obtaining necessary authorizations, such as the ISSO work authorization and the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. Additionally, international students must apply for a Social Security Number if they do not already have one.
During the academic year, international students at Boston University are restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week. This limit includes any salaried or hourly positions, such as teaching fellows or research assistants. However, during vacation periods like Winter Intersession, Spring Break, and Summer Break (if returning in the Fall Semester), international students are permitted to work full-time, exceeding the 20-hour weekly limit.
It is important to note that if summer is the first or final semester for an international student, it is not considered a vacation period. In such cases, students can only be employed part-time during that summer period.
To find job opportunities, international students can utilize resources such as the JobX Student Job Board, word-of-mouth recommendations, and job listings posted around the Boston University campus. By following these guidelines, international students at Boston University can take advantage of the opportunity to work full-time during vacation periods while also complying with relevant employment regulations.
International Students: SSN Application Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work on campus at BU. However, they must follow a few key steps before starting an on-campus job, including finding a job on campus or with a qualified institutional affiliate, registering for a full course of study, and knowing the conditions of their work permission. International students are also subject to both federal and state income taxes, although they may be exempt from a portion of these taxes if their country has tax treaties with the United States.
International students can 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, they may work more than 20 hours per week.
First, find a job on campus or through the JobX Student Job Board. Then, register for a full course of study and obtain work authorization from the ISSO. Complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification and apply for a Social Security Number if you don't already have one.







































