Employment

As an F-1 student, you are automatically authorized in advance to work on campus. For a list of requirements and authorized employers visit the on-campus employment page.

J-1 students are NOT automatically authorized to work on campus. J-1 Students must check with the program sponsor listed in box 2 of their DS-2019 form regarding whether or not they are permitted to receive authorization for on-campus employment and what the procedures and timeline are for requesting that authorization. More information is on our on-campus employment page; scroll down to the section for J-1 students.

You MUST apply for CPT, OPT, or Academic Training (for J-1 students) authorization in order to work off campus. Unauthorized employment is a very serious violation of your F-1 or J-1 status.

If you have never worked in the U.S. before, you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN). You are eligible to apply for an SSN IF you have been offered on-campus employment (such as a graduate assistantship) or have obtained off-campus employment authorization (see above section).

If you are an F-1 student eligible for an SSN, do the following:

• Gather the necessary documents:
  1. If you have been offered on-campus employment by FSU, use the SSN Form for On-Campus Employment . Your hiring department must copy the information on the form and print it on department letterhead.
     • NEW STUDENTS: If you are a new student, the department can give you the signed form to upload in NoleStart when you complete the Arrival Confirmation (under Newly Admitted Students). If you have already submitted the Arrival Confirmation, wait until it is approved by the CGE, then you can upload the SSN form in NoleStart (through F-1 Student Services). Alternatively, your department can upload the form into NoleStart through Departmental Services. When the Arrival Confirmation is complete and the SSN form is submitted, a CGE advisor will sign the SSN form and return it to you.
     • CONTINUING STUDENTS: If you are a continuing student, upload the completed form in NoleStart under F-1 Student Services. Note: If you are a continuing student applying at the beginning of a semester, you must have already registered for a full course of study.
  2. If you have been offered on-campus employment by an on-campus company FSU contracts for services for students (e.g. Aramark, FSU Bookstore), use the SSN Form for Campus Employment with Contracted Employer. The company you will be working for must copy the information on the form and print it on company letterhead.
     • NEW STUDENTS: If you are a new student, the department can give you the signed form to upload in NoleStart when you complete the Arrival Confirmation (under Newly Admitted Students). If you have already submitted the Arrival Confirmation, wait until it is approved by the CGE, then you can upload the SSN form in NoleStart (through F-1 Student Services). When the Arrival Confirmation is complete and the SSN form is submitted, a CGE advisor will sign the SSN form and return it to you.
     • CONTINUING STUDENTS: If you are a continuing student, upload the completed form in NoleStart under F-1 Student Services. Note: If you are a continuing student applying at the beginning of a semester, you must have already registered for a full course of study.
  3. If you have authorization for CPT or OPT, your CPT I-20 or OPT EAD card.
  4. All applicants: A completed Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5)
  5. All applicants: Your passport.
  6. All applicants: A printout of your I-94, retrieved from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/, or your I-94 Card (if you entered the U.S. by land/sea or were approved to Change Status to F-1).
  7. All Applicants: Your current I-20 Form.
• Read the SSN brochure for car and bus directions to the SSA office, as well as additional information about the application process.
• Take the above documents and apply for an SSN at the Social Security Administration office:

Social Security Administration
2002 Old St. Augustine Rd
Building B, Suite 12
1.866.248.2088

Open 9:00 am—3:30 pm (M, T, Th & F)
Open 9:00 am—12:00 pm (W)

• Show your employer your SSN application receipt, which you received from the SSA office when you applied.
• After you receive your SSN card in the mail (in 2 – 4 weeks), show it to your employer.

If you are a J-1 student eligible for an SSN, do the following:

• Follow your sponsor’s procedures for obtaining on-campus work or academic training authorization;
• Take the sponsor’s letter authorizing the specific employment, the DS-2019, passport, and I-94 printout to the Social Security Administration to apply in person;
• Show your SSN receipt to your employer;
• After you receive your SSN card in the mail, notify your sponsoring agency that you have an SSN (do not email the number or a copy of the card), show it to your employer, the FSU Card Center and the FSU Registrar.

For more information, review the SSN brochure.

Please be aware that volunteering is different from unpaid employment. Not all unpaid positions qualify as a volunteering opportunity. In fact, unpaid positions may still be considered employment that requires CPT or OPT authorization.

According to the Department of Labor, volunteers are individuals who volunteer or donate their services, usually on a part-time basis to a public agency, religious or non-profit organization, for public service, religious or humanitarian objectives, not as employees and without contemplation of pay for the services provided.

To be considered a volunteer then, the work performed must meet the following criteria:

• No expectation of compensation
• The volunteer cannot displace a genuine employee, and the services provided by the volunteer should not be the same services for which he/she was previously paid and/or expects to be hired and paid for in the future
• Services are performed for a non-profit organization for public service, religious or humanitarian objective.

We recommend that you visit the FSU Career Center for career and job search advising. The Career Center can provide assistance with your resume and cover letter and offers many events and workshop to help you be successful in the job market. Career Services Drop-In Advising is available to students and community members Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM-4:30 PM in the Career Center Library, located on the first floor of the Dunlap Success Center

NoleNetwork is The Career Center’s system for linking students and alumni directly with hiring employers and Career Center programs.

International Student Career Center Information Page