International Students and Scholars Office

In general, eligible international students in valid immigration status are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and may work more than 20 hours per week during official university breaks. Students must follow both immigration regulations and University policy regarding on-campus employment. 

For more detailed information about University policy limitations and procedures for on-campus employment, see the Student Employment Handbook (Student Financial Services).

To be eligible for on-campus employment at Brandeis University, students must be enrolled in the equivalent of full-time status at Brandeis University, in valid immigration status, and studying physically in the U.S.

F-1 Students

Students in F-1 status do not need to apply for any type of employment authorization to work on campus.

J-1 Students

Students in J-1 status sponsored by Brandeis University must submit a "Student On-Campus Employment" request in the ISSO Portal to obtain  a "J-1 On-Campus Employment Letter." 

Students in J-1 status NOT sponsored by Brandeis University must consult with their program sponsor to determine eligibility for on-campus work.  World Bank scholars must consult with the World Bank directly to understand how on-campus employment may affect their funding.

PhD Students

When a PhD student on an F-1 or J-1 visa is offered multiple employment roles, they should first consult with the ISSO.  During required academic terms, PhD students on F-1 and J-1 visas with a Graduate Assistantship -- requiring "[no] more than twenty (20) hours per week" as set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement – may not participate in any additional on-campus employment unless approved by graduate school deans or their designated appointees in coordination with the International Students and Scholars Office.  Even if approved, before taking on any such role, the student must obtain an updated appointment letter for each position specifically detailing the total (combined) work activity is not in excess of 20 hours per week. Additional on-campus employment includes hourly roles as well as stipended/salaried roles (including but not limited to additional Teaching Assistantships, Teaching Fellowships, and Research Assistantships). 

Students can locate on-campus jobs through their departments, through Handshake, or through on-campus vendors who have contracted with the university to provide services for students.

If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will need to apply for one in person at the nearest Social Security Administration Office. Visit the Social Security Number information page for the details on how to apply for a social security number.

• F-1 students will need to work with their supervisor to complete an International Student Employment Form (pdf). Once sections 1 and 2 of the form are completed, student must submit the "On-Campus Employment Form Request" in the ISSO Portal. An ISSO Advisor will review and sign section 3 of the form and upload the completed document to the portal.
• J-1 students who are sponsored by Brandeis will need to request  a "J-1 On-Campus Work Authorization Letter" by completing and submitting a "Student On-Campus Employment Request" in the ISSO Portal.
• J-1 students who are sponsored by an outside agency (i.e. Ford Foundation, Fulbright, Tibet Fund, etc.) will need to contact their sponsoring agency for an "On Campus Work Authorization Letter."

Once you have received your social security card, you will need to complete a Form I-9 to be added to the Brandeis Payroll system.

Form I-9s for student employment are completed in Student Financial Services with the exception of:

• GSAS Fellowships: Form I-9s are completed at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
• Heller or IBS Fellowships: Form I-9s are completed with your department administrators.

Please see the USCIS list of acceptable documents to determine what to bring with you when completing the Form I-9.

Note for J-1 Students: You may need to have your J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Letter to complete your Form I-9.

If you do not receive your social security card within the standard two-week processing time, you may still be able to begin working with your employer.  For more information on Form I-9 issues, including Tentative Non-Confirmation (TNC), visit the Student Employment website.

All applicable tax forms and required tasks will be sent to you through Workday.  You must complete the Foreign National Information Form, which will become available in Workday during your onboarding process.

On-campus employment will end immediately when you withdraw from or complete your program. You may not continue to work on-campus once you have stopped being a student or finished the requirements for your program.

In most cases, your last day of employment will be the final day of your final semester, which is the last day of the final exam period as listed in the Brandeis Academic Calendar. Students who graduate in the spring semester have the option to work until their commencement date. It is up to you to ensure that you comply with this requirement and to contact your ISSO Advisor if you have any questions.

According to federal regulations for F-1 and J-1 students and the Brandeis Student Employment Handbook, eligible international students in valid immigration status are allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during official school breaks.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, a break is defined as seven consecutive days in which there are no regularly scheduled classes or examinations. If there are regularly scheduled classes or final exams even one day of the week, it will not count as a break period.

Consult the Brandeis Academic Calendar for break periods that meet the above criteria.