Student Employment for International Students

Table of Contents

Work Authorization for International Students
Instructions for Completing the W-4 Form
Instructions for Completing the I-9 Form
Applying for a Social Security Number   

Work Authorization For International Students

Generally, students who hold a valid F-1 visa are permitted to work on the premises of the school that issued their I-20 while in attendance at that school. The work is limited to 20 hours per week when school is in session or 40 hours per week during approved school breaks. If you do not have a F-1 visa or have questions about your visa status, please contact the Director of International Student Services to determine your employment eligibility.

International students who wish to work on campus will need the following:

1. A valid Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, see the section at the bottom of this page on Applying for a Social Security Number.
2. W-4 Form [pdf]. This form has special instructions for international students. See below for more information.
3. I-9 Form [pdf] with appropriate identification documents. See below for detailed instructions to help you complete the I-9 form.
4. All completed forms and the appropriate documentation need to be returned to the Office of Financial Aid.
5. Apply for a Lesley Works position (on campus non-work study) on the Lesley University Student Employment Job Postings website.

Instructions for Completing the W-4 Form

Numbered items listed below present information about the sections of the Form W-4 which much be completed. The numbers below correspond to blocks with the same number on the W-4 Form.

• Item 1: NAME and ADDRESS. Enter your first name, middle initial, and last name (family name) as it appears on your United States Social Security Card. Enter your U.S. address.
• Item 2: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. Enter your nine-digit United States Social Security Number. You MUST have a Social Security number to complete this form.
• Item 3: Marital Status. "Single" block should be checked regardless of actual marital status.
• Item 4: NAME CHANGE. Check this box only if the individual's name has changed since receiving the social security card.
• Item 5: Number of Allowances. Claim only "one" for withholding allowance.                                        EXCEPTIONS: Nonresidents from Canada, Mexico or the Republic of South Korea may claim additional allowances for a spouse and/or dependent children if they meet certain requirements. See IRS publication 519 (United States Tax Guide for Aliens) for more details.
• Item 6: ADDITIONAL AMOUNT. Enter "Nonresident Alien" or "NRA" above the dotted line on line 6.
• Item 7: EXEMPTION. Do not claim "exempt" status on this form.

Instructions for Completing the I-9 Form

These instructions are for students with F-1 student visas. The process may vary for students with other visa types. Students with other visa types should contact the Director of International Student Services to determine employment eligibility.

Section 1. Employee Information and Verification: completed by student

• The citizenship box labeled "An alien authorized to work until..." should be checked.
• The date you are authorized to work until can be found in section 5 on the first page of the I-20 form, after the words "complete studies not later than..."
• The Admission number is the 11 digit number in the upper left corner of the I-94 card (the card stapled into your passport).

Section 2. Employer Review and Verification: completed by Office of Financial Aid

The combination of these documents satisfy the requirements for a List A document. Present the original documents to the Office of Financial Aid for processing. Acceptable identification documents for international students with F-1 student visas are:

• Unexpired foreign passport
• Form I-94/I-94A indicating F-1 non-immigrant status
• Form I-20

Applying for a Social Security Number

New international students cannot apply for a social security number (and card) until they have been hired on campus. You can obtain a letter from the Office of Financial Aid that is required to apply for a Social Security number. This Social Security Number Application Letter [pdf] must be printed on department letterhead by the hiring department, completed by the hiring supervisor and returned to the Director of International Student Services to be finalized. You may use the Student Employment Job Postings website to search and apply for jobs but you must have the Social Security number (not necessarily the card) to complete the work authorization process.