Filling Out Your I-9: A Guide For International Students

how to fill my i-9 as an international student

International students in the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa are required to fill out the I-9 form, also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification form, when they are hired for employment. The I-9 form is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of the individual. To complete the form, students must provide specific documents, such as their passport, social security card, or driver's license, which are categorized into three lists: List A, List B, and List C. Students must also provide personal information, including their full legal name, address, and immigration status. It is important to note that the process for completing the I-9 form may differ based on the student's visa type and employment authorization program.

Characteristics Values
Who needs to fill out the I-9 form? F-1, J-1, or M-1 visa students who are hired for employment in the US.
When to fill it out By the end of their first workday.
What is the purpose of the form? Verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals.
Who provides the form? The employer.
What is included in Section 1? Personal information, including full legal name, address, and Social Security Number (if applicable).
What is included in Section 2? Verification of identity and employment authorization by the employer.
Documents required List A, List B, or List C documents, including Form I-20, Form I-94, state driver's license, etc.
Where to obtain the form Download from the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

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Personal information

F-1 students in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa are required to fill out the I-9 Form when they are hired for employment. The I-9 form is mandatory for all employers in the US, including those hiring CPT and OPT students.

Section 1 of the I-9 Form is where the employee provides their personal information, citizenship or immigration status, and other relevant details. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fill out Section 1 as an international student:

  • Full Legal Name: Enter your last name, first name, and middle initial (if applicable) as they appear on your official documents.
  • Address: Provide your current address, including the street address, apartment number (if applicable), city, state, and ZIP code. If you are an undergraduate international student, enter your permanent address (your address back home, not your on-campus mail address). If you are a graduate student, enter your local address.
  • Social Security Number: If you have a Social Security Number, enter it. If you are an international student and don't have one yet, you can leave this blank.
  • Alien Registration Number: If you are a permanent resident, provide your Alien Registration Number.
  • Form I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) Number: If you are an enrolled international student, enter this number.
  • Citizenship or Immigration Status: Check the appropriate box to indicate your status. If you are an international student, check the fourth box and enter the expiration date, which can be found on your visa.

Remember that your employer is responsible for providing you with Section 1 of Form I-9 on your hire date or once you accept the job offer. You must complete this section by the end of your first workday.

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Citizenship status

As an international student, you will need to provide documentation to prove your employment authorization in the US. This includes a foreign passport, which must be accompanied by a Form I-94/94A Arrival-Departure Record. This form should include your nonimmigrant status and authorization to work for a specific employer. Additionally, make sure that the period of endorsement on the form has not expired and that the proposed employment does not conflict with any restrictions or limitations listed on Form I-94 or I-94A.

Some nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors may be required to present additional documentation to prove their work authorization. This could include a Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record issued to asylees or work-authorized nonimmigrants, a Form N-560 Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or a Form N-550 Certificate of Naturalization.

It is important to note that you should not file Form I-9 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Instead, you will need to present your completed Form I-9 to your employer, who is required to keep your form on file for a certain period of time.

If you have any questions about acceptable documents or the completion of Form I-9, you can refer to the Form I-9 contact center or the relevant government websites for further guidance.

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Employment eligibility

International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are required to fill out the I-9 form, also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification Form, when they are hired for employment. This form is mandatory for all employers in the US, including those hiring CPT and OPT students.

To complete the I-9 form, F-1 students must provide specific documents that establish their identity and employment authorization. These documents are categorized into three lists: List A, List B, and List C. Students can choose to present either a List A document or a combination of documents from List B and List C.

List A:

  • Unexpired foreign passport with Form I-94 indicating F-1 nonimmigrant status
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with Alien Number (A-Number), EAD card number, and expiration date
  • Expired EAD presented with Form I-20 endorsed by the Designated School Official (DSO) (acceptable for 180 days from the expiration date on the EAD)
  • US passport

List B:

State driver's license

List C:

  • Social Security card
  • Form I-94 indicating F-1 nonimmigrant status with a properly endorsed Form I-20
  • Social Security number

It is important to note that the specific documents required may vary depending on the student's visa status and employment authorization type. For example, CPT students may choose to present a List B and List C document instead of a List A document. Additionally, some employers may accept an expired EAD for Form I-9 verification in limited circumstances.

In Section 1 of the I-9 form, students provide their personal information, including their full legal name, address, citizenship or immigration status, and other relevant details. Students must also enter their "Authorized to Work Until" date, which can be found on their visa or EAD.

F-1 students are typically allowed to work in the US under certain conditions set by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations and the terms of their student visa. These conditions include restrictions on off-campus employment during the first academic year and requirements for authorization from the DSO for CPT and OPT programs.

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Identity verification

The I-9 form is used to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All employers must keep and maintain I-9 forms for students to avoid any penalties. F-1 students in the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa are required to fill out the I-9 Form when they are hired for employment, just like any other individual seeking employment in the country.

F-1 students are generally allowed to work on the premises of the school they are attending, such as in a library, cafeteria, or administrative office. They may need to obtain permission from their Designated School Official (DSO) before starting on-campus employment. CPT is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 students to work off-campus in a job related to their field of study as part of their curriculum. Students must receive approval from their DSO before engaging in CPT.

When F-1 students engage in any of the above employment opportunities, they are required to fill out the I-9 Form to verify their eligibility to work in the United States. This involves providing acceptable documents that establish their identity and employment authorization. By completing the I-9 Form, F-1 students, like all other employees, are confirming their legal eligibility to work based on their immigration status and the type of employment authorization they possess. The I-9 Form requires individuals to present specific documents to establish their identity and employment authorization. The documents are categorized into three lists: List A, List B, and List C.

Documents on List A show both identity and employment authorization. Employees presenting an acceptable List A document should not be asked to present any other document. Some List A documents are a combination of two or more documents. In these cases, the documents presented together count as one List A document. A US passport is the most common document provided, which fulfils both the identity and eligibility requirement.

Documents on List B establish only identity. Employees who choose to present a List B document must also present a document from List C. An unexpired driver's license or ID card issued by a State or outlying possession of the United States is an acceptable List B document, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye colour, and address. A driver's license can be issued by any state or territory of the United States or by a Canadian government authority.

Documents on List C establish employment authorization. A social security card is the second most common document provided, which is entered into List C.

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Authorisation documents

International students in the United States on an F-1 visa are required to fill out Section 1 of the I-9 form when they are hired for employment. This form is also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification Form, and it is used to verify an individual's identity and employment authorisation.

Section 1 of the I-9 form requires employees to provide personal information, including their full legal name (last name, first name, middle initial, and any other last names used), address, citizenship or immigration status, and other relevant details.

In terms of authorisation documents, international students must provide specific documents to establish their identity and employment authorisation. These documents are categorised into three lists: List A, List B, and List C.

List A documents show both identity and employment authorisation. A foreign passport, for example, must be accompanied by a Form I-94/I-94A Arrival-Departure Record with the same name as the passport and containing an endorsement of the individual's nonimmigrant status and work authorisation. This document may only be used if the period of endorsement has not expired and the proposed employment does not conflict with any restrictions listed on the form.

List B documents include a driver's license or ID card issued by a state or outlying possession of the United States, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye colour, and address.

List C includes the Social Security Number. If an international student does not yet have a Social Security Number, they can leave this section blank.

Additionally, for OPT (Optional Practical Training) or CPT (Curricular Practical Training) students, work authorisation is typically documented by the Employment Authorisation Document (EAD), which the student must present. An F-1 student can be authorised for up to 12 months of full-time OPT, with certain students qualifying for an additional 24 months of work authorisation under the STEM OPT program.

Frequently asked questions

The I-9 form, also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification Form, is a mandatory document for all U.S. employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals seeking employment in the country.

All employers must maintain I-9 forms for students to avoid any penalties. F-1 students in the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa are required to fill out the I-9 form when they are hired for employment.

You need to provide personal information, including your full legal name, address, and citizenship or immigration status. You may also need to provide documents from List A, List B, and List C to establish your identity and employment authorization.

You can usually download the I-9 form from the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. Alternatively, your employer may provide you with a copy of the form.

You must complete and submit the I-9 form by the end of your first workday.

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