J-1 Status Students

Employment

Employment is any type of work performed or service provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, or any other benefit. This can include informal tutoring, babysitting, teaching someone to drive or play a musical instrument, in addition to more typical forms of employment. Any employment done without specific written authorization and authorization in SEVIS from the program sponsor indicated in box 2 of the DS-2019 form is illegal.

Authorization for Employment Authorization for employment is given by the Responsible Officer (R.O.) or the Alternate Responsible Officer (A.R.O.) of the institution or agency that issued your form DS-2019 (listed in part 2 of the DS-2019). If Florida State University is the sponsor, several advisors at the International Center can authorize your employment. If another agency (e.g., IIE, LASPAU, Amideast) is the sponsor, that agency must give you the authorization. Before engaging in any type of employment, you must obtain written approval from the R.O./A.R.O. will determine if federal regulations allow you to engage in a particular form of employment. Employment authorization is not guaranteed. Some sponsors have restrictions on on-campus work. Employment authorization may only be granted for up to one year at a time. It is your responsibility to always maintain current work authorization for all on-campus employment, including assistantships.

If you will be employed in the US, you must obtain a US social security number (SSN) to be paid. Students who are not working or receiving income in the US are not eligible for a Social Security number, and should NEVER use their FSU identification number (999 or 899 number) in place of the SSN outside of the FSU campus.

Click on the image above to view the Social Security Brochure.

To obtain your Social security number, FSU sponsored students will need to do the following:

• For on-campus employment, fill out the top portion of the employment authorization request located in the J-1 forms page, and bring the request to the payroll representative in your employing department to be completed.
• For off-campus employment, have your academic advisor complete the recommendation letter for academic training located in the J-1 forms page, based upon an offer letter provided by your prospective employer/trainer.
• Submit the request for employment authorization or academic training recommendation letter to the Exchange Visitor Advisor at the CGE.
• When e-mailed, pick up the on-campus work authorization or academic training authorization.
• Fill in form SS-5 www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
• Appear in person at the Social Security Administration (SSA) office at 2002 Old St Augustine Rd, Building B, Suite 12, Tallahassee, FL
• Present your authorization letter, DS-2019, visa, and I-94 to the SSA representative
• Provide an address on the application at which you know you will be able to receive the card in 2-4 weeks
• Obtain a receipt for your application for the SSN
• Provide the SSN receipt to your employing department's payroll representative in order to be put into the payroll system for an initial 9 week period.
• Upon receiving the SSN card, provide the number to your employing department's payroll representative and the FSU Card Center on the same day in order to avoid potential problems with Blackboard access.

Be sure to keep your original Social Security card in a safe place. Do not carry it with you in your wallet or purse. Be careful who you give this number to avoid falling victim to identity theft. Do not provide this number to anyone known or unknown by e-mail. This number and the resulting credit record are yours for your lifetime.

All forms are available in alternative format upon request.