International Student Employment at JMU

Various rules apply to on-campus employment of international students depending upon the type of visa that student holds. If you are a student interested in working on-campus, you must come to the office of International Student and Scholar Services and obtain an On-Campus Employment Authorization & Certification of Full-time Enrollment form to show potential employers that your status allows employment. In addition, once you are offered a position, you must return to the office to complete the federally-mandated I-9 Form, fulfilling the requirements of U.S. law.

On-campus Employers: If you are interested in employing an international student, please ask him/her for the On-Campus Employment Authorization & Certification of Full-time Enrollment form completed by International Student and Scholar Services. If the student holds a current form, it is safe to assume that s/he is authorized for on-campus employment. However, s/he MUST come to International Student and Scholar Services for completion of the I-9 no later than the first day of employment.

Students in F-1 Status

International students holding F-1 visas are eligible for any on-campus employment while they remain full-time students in good status. Their employment must be limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session, but they may be permitted to work full-time during all school breaks. The rules apply equally to both undergraduate and graduate students and for all types of campus employment, from dining hall services to graduate assistant positions.

For individuals without a social security number:
• Download the Letter to the Social Security Office
• Have the supervisor complete the blank spaces found in the Letter to the Social Security Office and sign it
• Bring the completed and signed letter to the ISSS Office (JMAC6 Suite 23)
• Go to the Social Security Office to apply for a social security number which will then be sent 7 to 10 business days to the applicant's address
  For everyone:
• Bring passport and immigration documents to the ISSS Office (JMAC6 Suite 23) to complete an I-9 Form
• Make an appointment with Sherry Willis in Payroll Services Office (Massanutten Hall 241 - Tel: 568-8034)

Students in J-1 Status

International students holding J-1 visas are eligible for on-campus employment unless it is forbidden by the controlling exchange agreement. If the J-1 student is authorized for employment, it must be limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session but may be full-time during all school breaks. These rules apply equally to both undergraduate and graduate students and for all types of on-campus employment, from dining hall services to graduate assistant positions. (Remember, however, that J-1 visas can be granted to students, research scholars or professors. Therefore, a person holding a J-1 visa may be permitted to work full-time if their category and exchange agreement allow. Should you have any questions about a particular individual's eligibility for employment, contact International Student and Scholar Services.)

For individuals without a social security number:
• Come to the ISSS Office (JMAC6 Suite 23) to obtain a signed letter to the Social Security Office
• Go to the Social Security Office to apply for a social security number which will then be sent 7 to 10 business days to the applicant's address
  For everyone:
• Bring passport and immigration documents to the ISSS Office (JMAC6 Suite 23) to complete an I-9 Form
• Make an appointment with Sherry Willis in Payroll Services Office (Massanutten Hall 241 - Tel: 568-8034)

Students in Any Other Non-immigrant Visa Status

Generally speaking, international students in a category other than F-1 or J-1 will not have permission to work off-campus unless they have been granted an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Should you have any questions about a particular individual's eligibility for employment, contact International Student and Scholar Services.