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Office of International Student Services

On-Campus Employment

  • On-campus employment must either be performed on the school's premises (including on-location commercial firms which provide direct services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria), or at an off-campus location which is educationally affiliated with the school. In the case of off-campus locations, the educational affiliation must be associated with the school's established curriculum or related to contractually funded research projects at the post-graduate level.
  • Employment located on-campus that does not directly involve services to students (such as construction work) does not qualify as on-campus employment.
  • An F-1 student may engage in any on-campus employment which will not displace United States residents.
  • On-campus employment must not exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session. An F-1 student may, however, work on campus full time when school is not in session or during the annual vacation.
  • Upon initial entry to begin a new course of study, an F-1 student may not begin on-campus employment more than 30 days prior to the actual start of classes.
  • In the case of a school transfer, the student may only engage in on-campus employment at the school having jurisdiction over the student's SEVIS record.
  • If the student engages in any unauthorized employment or works hours in excess of those allowed, his or her SEVIS record will be terminated, and the student may have to leave the United States.

Step 1

Request a letter from the employer (or Student Employment Office) on the employer's letterhead providing the following information:

  • Identity of student employee
  • Nature of job the student is, or will be, engaged in
  • Anticipated or actual employment start date
  • Number of hours the student is expected to work
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Name and telephone number of immediate supervisor
  • Original signature and signatory’s title
  • Date

Step 2

Request a letter from the Office of International Student Services (OISS). Bring the employment letter with you when you request this letter at the OISS.

Step 3

Before going to a U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) office, be sure you have been "registered" in SEVIS by the DSO and that your on-campus work will not begin more than 30 days after your SSN application date. Locate an SSA office near you at www.ssa.gov. Bring:

  • Passport
  • Form I-20 & Form I-94
  • Employer and DSO letters

Obtain a letter or receipt from the SSA, so that you may work while your SSN application is being processed.

Step 4

Schedule an appointment at the Student Employment Office (310-506-4177) to fill out employment and tax paperwork. Bring:

  • Passport
  • Form I-20 & Form I-94
  • Letter or receipt from the SSA

Step 5

Schedule an appointment at the Payroll Office (310-506-4636) to fill out employment and tax paperwork. Bring:

  • Passport
  • Form I-20 & Form I-94
  • Letter or receipt from the SSA

Step 6

As soon as you receive the SSN card, sign the card and bring original to:

  • Student Employment Office
  • Payroll Office
  • OISS

For more information:

United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 8, Sec. 214.2(f)(9)(i)
www.ice.gov
www.ssa.gov
www.irs.gov

OISS ~ Pepperdine University ~ October 1, 2008