As an F-1 International student it is imperative that you are aware of and comply with the restrictive employment regulations enforced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration. It is your responsibility to abide by these regulations as failure to do so could result in immediate deportation. Any student seeking employment  on or off-campus must contact a DSO or ADSO to complete the proper paperwork/procedures to be lawfully employed.

EMPLOYMENT is defined as any type of work performed or service rendered in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food or any other benefit. Any work/service performed without the receipt of payment or other benefit is considered to be "volunteer" work.

On Campus Employment          Off Campus Employment    

A Note of Caution

The USCIS Citizenship and Immigration provides a variety of opportunities to be employed as an F-1 Student. Working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your F-1 Student status. It is your responsibility to comply with immigration regulations, which apply to F-1 Students. Your DSO, ADSO, and PDSO will be glad to advise you on the responsibilities and opportunities available to you. In order to avoid being unlawfully employed, you are strongly encouraged to visit a DSO or ADSO BEFORE beginning any employment. A student who engages in unauthorized employment will be considered out of status. USCIS rarely reinstates students who have fallen out-of-status due to unauthorized employment.  

***H-4 and F-2 non-immigrants may not work under any circumstances***

On-Campus Employment:

An F-1 Student may be employed part-time on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University. A student may not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.

On campus employment is restricted to GSW affiliates only: This means that students may NOT work for contractors, sports camps, or any other external organization working on the GSW campus.  Contact your ADSO/DSO if you have questions about an employer on the GSW campus.

Please use the following procedure to secure a job on-campus:   

** DO NOT BEGIN WORK UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL 4 STEPS**

1.    Before you begin your job search you must first make sure you are eligible to work and have the proper documentation. You must have the following documents to work on campus:

• Current passport

• Original I-20

• Visa

• I-94

• Social Security Card

2.    To learn about job listings/positions available on campus, visit the Career Services department. Career Services personnel will be happy to assist in your job search and can also provide a Student Employee Handbook that contains useful information about completing timesheets, expectations of student workers and other important information.

3.    Once hired, you and your supervisor will need to complete the Supervisor’s Approval for Work Aid form (this form can be accessed on the GSW Human Resources website).

4.   Before you begin work, you must visit the Human Resources Office to complete the necessary paperwork. You will need to bring the immigration documents listed in item 1 as well as the Supervisor’s Approval for Work Aid form. Human Resources will make copies of your identification and immigration documents.

NOTE:  If you are from a country that has a tax treaty with the US you may be able to claim exemption from taxes. A list of these countries is available from Human Resources. To determine if you meet the criteria for the exemption contact the Payroll Office.

 

    Remember: you must limit your work hours to 20 hours or less while school is in session.

• Career Services is located in the Hershel A Smith Health Center.

• Human Resources is located is temporarily located in Crawford Wheatley Room 209.

• The Payroll Office is temporarily located in the Business/History Building, Rm. 201A.

 Off-Campus Employment:

F-1 Students are prohibited from working off-campus without special authorization. Only students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Severe Economic Hardship are eligible to apply for off-campus employment. You must possess a USCIS issued Employment Authorization Card (EAD) before beginning any employment. Students working without authorization will be terminated. Please contact your ADSO or DSO for more information.

  **A Social Security Card is NOT a work authorization card.** 

Optional Practical Training         Economic Hardship