Important
OFF-Campus vs. ON-Campus Employment
International students MUST obtain proper work authorization prior to beginning any paid or unpaid off-campus employment. Please refer to the detailed employment information on our web site. ISSO also hosts employment workshops each semester to answer questions about off-campus employment. When considering options for off-campus employment it is important to visit ISSO so that we may assist you in determining your eligibility for certain types of off-campus work authorization.
Tips for Finding a Job
Check out job opportunities on the Student Financial Services web site.
Go through the Brandeis University web site and get acquainted with the various offices and services on campus. You may find that you have prior work experience or particular skills which make you well-suited for employment within a particular department on campus.
On-Campus Employment
F-1 Students
Students on F-1 visas do not need written permission to work on-campus, but must be sure to work no more than 20 hours per week during the academic semester.
J-1 Students
Students on J-1 visas must obtain written permission from their program sponsors prior to beginning any work on campus.
Students who were issued a DS-2019 by Brandeis University may visit the ISSO to request a "J-1 On-Campus Work Authorization Letter". Please bring your New Hire/Rehire form or Fellowship award letter which includes your job title, hiring department, supervisor name, start and end date and hours worked per week to Kate Amaral at the ISSO to request your employment to be authorized in SEVIS.
Please note that the ISSO MUST authorize EACH job separately and must re-authorize employment once per year if you are continuing employment with the same department. Students may not begin employment on-campus until they have received the ISSO "J-1 On-Campus Work Authorization Letter."
J-1 students who have a program sponsor other than Brandeis University should check with their sponsor to verify if on-campus employment is able to be authorized. Some program sponsors do not allow their students to work on-campus or limit employment to fewer than 20 hours per week. Please also note that working on-campus may reduce a sponsored student's stipend. Please check with your program sponsor if you have questions about employment.
J-1 sponsored students must bring a letter from their program sponsor to Kate Amaral at the ISSO verifying their eligibility to work on-campus prior to commencing any on-campus employment.
Ph.D. Students
If you are awarded a fellowship, you are eligible to apply for a social security number based on that fellowship. Fellowships are equivalent to 16 hours of employment, which means you can engage in four additional hours of employment per week either within your department, or in a job elsewhere on campus.
Steps for Beginning Work On Campus
Step 1. Obtain a Social Security Number Letter from ISSO
Once you are offered a position, if you do not already have a Social Security Number, your supervisor will need to complete and sign an Intent to Hire/International Student Employment form. You should bring this form to the ISSO to create a Social Security letter (allow at minimum 3-5 business days for ISSO to provide the letter). For additional information about social security numbers, please see the SSN Frequently Asked Questions section.
NOTE for J-1 students: You will need an to receive a "J-1 on-campus work authorization letter" from the ISSO. Bring your "New Hire/Re-Hire" form or fellowship award letter to Kate Amaral at the ISSO to request ISSO employment authorization. Students who are sponsored by an outside agency (i.e. Ford Foundation, Fulbright, Tibet Fund, etc.) must receive written permission from their sponsoring agency for the particular job they have been hired for to request ISSO permission to work on-campus.
Step 2. Obtain your Social Security Number
Please see Social Security Number Information on the ISSO website for info on obtaining your SSN.
Step 3. Complete the I-9 Form
It will take about a week to receive your social security card. After you receive your card, you will need to complete an I-9 Form in order to be added to the Brandeis Payroll system. You will need all of your immigration documents (I-20/DS-2019, passport, I-94 card), your social security number, and required employment forms to complete your I-9 form. For full details about required forms, please consult the Student Employment web site.
Note for J-1 Students: You will need to bring the ISSO "J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization" letter to the individual who completes your I-9 Form.
I-9 forms for student employment are completed in Student Financial Services with the exception of:
GSAS Fellowships: I-9s are completed at the ISSO
Heller or IBS Fellowships: I-9s are completed with your department administrators
Step 4. Obtain Your Employment Eligibility Card (Blue Card)
Student Financial Services will issue you an employment eligibility card and other applicable tax forms once you have completed the I-9 Form.