1. On + Off Campus Employment
The Do’s and Don’ts of

2. How to Stay in Valid Visa Status
Do Not Work off-campus, unless specifically authorized in writing by a DSO or RO, or have an EAD from US Immigration
Authorization is given in the form of a new I-20 or a new DS-2019
Authorization must be attained BEFORE beginning employment

3. On-Campus Employment F-1 Students & J-1 Students
A maximum of 20 hours per week when school is in session.
A maximum of 40 hours per week during official school breaks if you are maintaining status and if Student Employment office (SEO) allows
J-1 Students ONLY
MUST obtain sponsor approval before being eligible to work on campus – request form can be found on our website

4. On-Campus Employment, cont.
Steps before taking a position:
Be registered FULL TIME
Find a position on campus.
Read the section on
SEO Employment Eligibility Card Requirements
before going to the SEO office.
J-1 Students fill out the J-1 Employment Authorization Form on ISS Website

5. To Get an SEO Employment Eligibility Card
Get a Hire Form from your on campus employer
I-9 Verification Process:
Complete the I-9 form here:
Take your original required documents
(I-20 or DS-2019, Passport, I-94 Information) and fill out the remaining part of the I-9 form at the SEO (Student Employment Office) in the University Services Center, Room 1350

6. Social Security Number
In order to continue working on campus, you MUST have a social security number.
Documents you need in order to apply for SSN:
Hire Form (with signatures in blue ink from Supervisor and an ISS advisor)
A completed Social Security Application form (ISS Office will give you the application)
Passport, I-20/DS-2019, US Visa
I-94 number Access:

7. Please Note
You will be given a Social Security Application form to fill-out.
You MUST list your name on line 1 of the application EXACTLY as it appears on your I-20, visa and passport biographical page to avoid delays in processing your application.

8. Important Reminder
Must first have on-campus job to apply for a social security number.
Students who accept employment at RIT must be willing to fulfill the commitment to their employer.
If circumstances change and you are no longer able to work please give your employer a minimum of 2 weeks notice

9. Social Security Number (SSN)
When you go to the social security office, please request a receipt confirming submission of your application
Failure to apply for a social security number will result in termination of your employment.
…and RIT will be fined!

10. Can I Work Off-Campus? There are three types of off-campus employment:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Academic Training (AT)
For all types, you must first have been enrolled full-time for a full academic year (two semesters)

11. Off-Campus Employment, cont.
Some Bachelor Degrees require co-op, some don’t .
Not all departments allow co-ops, and each department has different policies.
Remember: 1 academic year in status before you can work off-campus
Use the web portal at International Student Services as soon as you have registered for co-op and have a written offer letter.
We will you once we have issued your new I-20/DS-2019 with CPT/AT authorization. You need that to legally work for your employer.

12. Working without authorization is illegal
IMPORTANT NOTE
Do NOT start working until ISS issues you a new CPT I-20 or Academic Training DS2019.
Working without authorization is illegal

13. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT = 12 months work authorization in your field of study after you graduate. Is granted by USCIS and takes about 3 months to obtain.
To be eligible:
You must have used LESS than 365 days of full-time CPT.
You do not need a job offer, but once you are approved for OPT, the 12 months will begin, whether or not you actually find work.
Unemployment is limited to 90 days.

14. Employment Workshops
ISS offers CPT, OPT and AT workshops for F-1 & J-1 students every semester
Schedule of upcoming workshops will be sent via your RIT .
Please attend workshops to get all your questions answered!

15. J-1 Academic Training
Academic Training (AT) can be authorized for as many months as the J-1 has been attending school as a full time student
Maximum of 18 months – including pre- and post-graduation
Maximum of 36 months if you earn a doctoral degree.
Must obtain sponsor approval before beginning
Sponsored J-1 students will need permission from sponsor to seek employment (ex. RIT, Fulbright CBIE, SACM, MESCyT, etc.)
Should have a job offer before your degree ends.

16. Can I Volunteer? ALL off-campus work requires authorization.
This includes volunteering or working for free.
The only exception is for jobs where no one is ever paid
(ex: volunteer server at a soup kitchen for the poor).
If you are doing something that another person could be doing for pay, it is work and needs authorization/permission

17. Tax Information
NY State and Federal Taxes will/should be deducted by your employer and sent to the government. You must file a tax return every year.
Social Security tax and Medicare tax should not be deducted from your paychecks
RIT offers on-line software and several workshops for filing taxes prior to the April tax return filing deadline. Required each year.

18. An Introduction to GLACIER for International Student Employees

19. What is GLACIER?
The United States has different rules on how to tax International Employees
GLACIER is the tax software that RIT uses to manage the taxation of our International Employees
GLACIER is an online system, you can get on it from any device that has internet access

20. How Do I Use GLACIER?
When you start your job on campus, the Payroll Department will send you 2 s
#1 will have detailed instructions on how to use GLACIER
It will come from a employee of RIT Payroll Department
#2 will have a temporary username and password for you to use to login to GLACIER
It will come from
Read these 2 s very carefully - they will include everything you need to complete GLACIER

21. What If I Need Help?
If you are confused about anything, need help, or have questions PLEASE contact the payroll Department!
You are always welcome to go visit the Payroll Office: Eastman Hall (Bldg. #1) – the tall building across from the SAU
Next door to the Registrar’s Office (where you got your ID card)

22. QUESTIONS?