Employment Information for International Students
Social Security Number
A Social Security Number (SSN) is required to receive compensation for employment and pay taxes in the U.S. International students in F/J status may be eligible to apply for an SSN if employed. (i.e. On-Campus Employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and J-1 Academic Training (AT).
Students may be eligible to apply for an SSN if they are working on campus or have if they are authorized for employment.
- Visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to get information about applying for a soccial security number. You can apply online and then, wihin 45 calendar days you must schedule an appointment or go directly to the nearest Social Security office to provide your documentation.
- To locate the nearest SSA Office enter your zip code in the Social Security Office Locator.
- Present the following documents:
- Completed and signed paper SSN application (if you did not complete the online application)
- Passport with F-1 or J-1 visa
- Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (available at the USCIS website.)
- Most recent Form I-20/DS-2019
- If working on-campus-On-Campus Employment – Confirmation of Job Offer Form
- If authorized for CPT-Employment Offer Letter
- If authorized for OPT/STEM OPT-Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- If authorized for AT-Employment Authorization Letter from Bentley
- Bentley ID card (recommended)
- When you visit the Social Security Office in person to apply for an SSN, you should be given a receipt.
- You may be able to begin working as soon as you have the receipt proving that you applied for a SSN.
- In most cases, you will not be able to receive payment until you receive your SSN.
- After the SSA verifies your document(s) and completes your request, you will receive your Social Security card in the mail within 14 business days.
- When you receive your Social Security Card, you should review it for accuracy, sign it, and take it to the Student Employment Office to complete the required state and federal tax withholding forms. Once the tax forms have been completed and submitted, you are eligible to receive compensation for your employment.
- Remember to keep your card in a safe place and to be cautious about who you share it with, and how.
- For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website.
Important Note: If you need to apply for a SSN when you first arrive in the U.S., you must wait at least 10 days after entering the country before you apply. This time will allow your entry information to be processed in the Save System.
On-Campus Employment
International students in F-1/J-1 status are eligible to work on campus up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time during vacation breaks (spring, summer etc). Follow the steps below to apply for an on-campus job.
Office jobs for international students generally become available approximately 2 months into the semester. If you want too start a job sooner than this, you can apply at the Bookstore (in Collins Hall, near Dunkin Donuts) or at Sodexo Dining Services (3rd floor of La Cava Center). For complet information on Student Employment you can visit the Student Employment Manual.
You can look for an on-campus position in various places:
- In Workday
- In Handshake
- Bookstore
- Sodexo Dining Services
- If interested, email GA_BentleyDining@bentley.edu or apply here.
Please Note: International students are not allowed to apply for “Federal Work Study” jobs.
Once you have been offered a position you will need a social security number. If you do not already have a social security number you must:
- Complete the on-line or paper "International Student On-Campus Employment" Form with your hiring supervisor and then have the form signed by a CISS staff member. Electronic signatures are acceptable.
- Visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to get information about applying for a soccial security number. You can apply online and then, wihin 45 calendar days you must schedule an appointment or go directly to the nearest Social Security office to provide your documentation.
- To locate the nearest SSA Office enter your zip code in the Social Security Office Locator.
- Present the following documents:
- Completed and signed paper SSN application (if you did not complete the online application)
- Passport with F-1 or J-1 visa
- Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (available at the USCIS website.)
- Most recent Form I-20/DS-2019
- On-Campus Employment – Confirmation of Job Offer Form
- Bentley ID card (recommended)
- When you visit the Social Security Office in person to apply for an SSN, you should be given a receipt.
- You may be able to begin working as soon as you have the receipt proving that you applied for a SSN.
- In most cases, you will not be able to receive payment until you receive your SSN.
- After the SSA verifies your document(s) and completes your request, you will receive your Social Security card in the mail within 14 business days.
- When you receive your Social Security Card, you should review it for accuracy, sign it, and take it to the Student Employment Office to complete the required state and federal tax withholding forms. Once the tax forms have been completed and submitted, you are eligible to receive compensation for your employment.
- Remember to keep your card in a safe place and to be cautious about who you share it with, and how.
- For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website.
Important Note: If you need to apply for a SSN when you first arrive in the U.S., you must wait at least 10 days after entering the country before you apply. This time will allow your entry information to be processed in the Save System.
Once you have your social security number you can complete the University student employment paperwork in Workday. Go to the Student Financial Services website for more information.
Academic Training
J-1 exchange visitor students may engage in paid off-campus employment in the United States to gain professional training before and after completion of their academic program if the employment is directly related to their coursework. This type of employment is called academic training.
Academic Training Requirements
To participate in academic training, you must:
- Be in good academic status before applying
- Obtain advance, written authorization from the Cronin Office of International Education for academic training for wages or other remuneration
- Begin academic training no later than 30 days following the completion of your studies
- Obtain formal authorization for non-paid internships
As a J-1 exchange visitor sponsored by Bentley, you may receive academic training for the amount of time equal to your time enrolled at the university (18-month maximum). One-semester exchange students are eligible for four months of academic training, and one-year exchange students are eligible for nine to 12 months.
Academic Training Process
To complete your academic training application, you must:
1. Obtain a letter of recommendation from your academic adviser from the Cronin Office of International Education. The letter must include:
- The goals and objectives of the specific employment opportunity
- A description of the employment opportunity, including its location, the name and address of the supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training
- How the training relates to your major field of study
- Why it is an integral or critical part of your academic program
2. Call us to schedule an appointment with a staff member. Be sure to bring to your appointment the recommendation letter and the employment offer letter.
We will provide you with written authorization for the proposed academic training upon review and approval from the Cronin Office of International Education.
Volunteering
Many students inquire about whether they can participate in a volunteer experience during their time at Bentley. Bentley students on F-1 visas may participate in volunteer experiences that meet the following criteria:
1. The volunteer arrangement cannot be directly related to your field of study*
2. The volunteer position must be unpaid
3. The volunteer position must be in either a public sector or non-profit charitable organization
4. The volunteer arrangement should not be similar enough to an internship that it could be interpreted as such by any definition of employment; volunteers cannot perform tasks that would otherwise be defined as “internship” or “employment”
For more information, please reference the standards outlined by the US Department of Labor. If you have questions about volunteering versus work authorization, please contact CISS for clarification.
Generally, unpaid volunteer positions at organizations specified above where the student volunteers without expectation of compensation are permissible. However, unpaid internships must be authorized as CPT, and the distinction is important. Any volunteer situation that could be interpreted as employment (if it is able to be listed on a resume as “professional experience”) could jeopardize future US visa petitions and employment permission for students if the student does not officially use CPT for that employment experience.
For more information, please reference the standards outlined by the US Department of Labor. If you have questions about volunteering versus work authorization, please contact CISS for clarification.
Employment for Severe Economic Hardship
You may be eligible for general off-campus employment authorization if you are facing severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, such as substantial currency fluctuations, medical bills, and substantial or unexpected expenses. Contact GA_CISS@bentley.edu for more information.