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General Information for Hiring International Employees

Updated:  January 2005

Can we hire an international employee?
Definitely YES! Just be aware that there are special steps you must take in processing the hiring of this individual.

What are these special steps?
The first thing you must do is schedule an appointment for the individual to meet with Delores Blough (568-6336) from the Office of International Student and Faculty Programs. Once it has been verified that the person is eligible to work in the United States and has completed the needed and required paperwork to certify this, they will be advised on the steps that must be taken to maintain their eligibility.

What's next?
There are special withholding rules that apply to wages paid to international employees who are nonresidents. Please have the employee schedule an appointment to meet with Sherry Willis in Payroll Services (568-8034). She will see that all tax related forms are completed accurately and submitted to the correct international or governmental agency.

What forms must I complete?
The same employment forms apply to international employees with the exception of (a) the I-9 form and (b) in some cases, tax forms. You still must get a Direct Deposit Authorization Form from the employee, as well as, complete the appropriate hiring paperwork.

What else should we know about international employees?
International student employees in F-1 and J-1 status' are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week. Also, international employees are sometimes eligible for exemption from FICA depending on their immigration status. Payroll Services will make this determination. If the employee is eligible for a FICA exemption, then your department will also not be charged the employer's share of FICA.