Sonoma State University

International Student Employment

International Students employment is highly regulated, but there are opprotunities for you to seek employment while you are here. Please see below for what options you have available.

Please remember that any unauthorized, off-campus employment is strictly prohibited. If it is discovered you are/have been working illegally, as per USCIS regulations, your visa must be terminatted immediately.

International students in valid F-1 or J-1 status are permitted to work on-campus without any special authorization. Students can start on-campus employment as soon as they arrive on campus, complete the mandatory orientation program and begin classes.

  • Students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
  • Students can work up to 40 hours per week during official school breaks.
  • Students may not work on-campus after their Program End Date.

There are many different employment opportunities available on-campus for international students. You can browse the available on-campus positions via Handshake. You can also contact a campus program or academic department directly to ask if they are hiring student assistants. Visit our Career Services website for useful tips and resources on how to prepare a successful résumé and how to interview with employers in the U.S..

Click here to download our On Campus Employment Information Guide if you're interested in seeking on campus employment (you must use your SSU account to access the document). 

 

Employers will require that you apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) before you may start working. Because it can take several weeks to receive your SSN, it is advisable to start the process immediately after receiving a job offer.

You must complete the following steps in order to receive a social security number:

  1. Secure an on-campus job and get your hiring department to complete the Employer Certification on this letter template.
  2. Make an appointment with your International Advisor and bring the letter signed by your hiring department. Your advisor will complete the DSO/ARO certification.
  3. Take this letter, along with your passport, F-1/J-1 visa, Form I-20/DS 2019, and most recent I-94 record (retrievable from i94.cbp.dhs.gov) to any Social Security Office. The closest office is 2099 Range Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (Building A).

You must have your SSN before you may receive wages for working on-campus, so be sure to apply as soon as possible after you receive an offer of employment, and bring the SSN application receipt to your employer as evidence.

An F-1 / J-1 student may start work while the SSN application is being processed. Employers may reference Social Security Administration’s fact sheet, Employer Responsibilities When Hiring Foreign Workers which contains information on how to report wages for an employee who has not yet received an SSN.

It is not required that students receive their SSN before they start work. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires employers to report wages using an SSN. While you wait for your SSN, your employer can use a letter from us stating that you applied for a number. Your employer may use your immigration documents as proof of your authorization to work in the United States. Employers can find more information on the Internet at https://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/hiring.htm.

Employers may contact the Center for International Education for any questions or concerns. While we cannot answer questions about specific students, we are happy to give general guidance on hiring and working with international students.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

  • General Information
    • CPT is only available to F-1 students in degree-seeking programs. English Language learners and exchange students are not eligible to apply.
    • CPT must be utilized for any off-campus employment or internship opportunity, even if it is unpaid. 
      • Students interested in volunteering for a one-time event for a non-profit organization do not need to apply for CPT. 
    • CPT must relate to your major and the work experience must be an integral part of your program of study. You must also be enrolled in an internship course for each semester of CPT participation. This means your CPT start and end date must fit within the first and last day of the applicable semester. 
      • Exception: Students in MBA programs are not required to enroll in internship courses and their CPT dates do not need to follow the dates of the semester.
    • CPT is only available after completion of one year of academic study in F-1 status.
      • Exception 1: Graduate students may be authorized for CPT during the first year of study if the program requires immediate participation in practical training (for example: MBA students).
      • Exception 2: Students who have gone through the Change of Status process to an F-1 student visa and have been continually enrolled full-time for an academic year during the Change of Status period. 
    • If you have 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you are ineligible for OPT. Part-time CPT will not limit your participation in OPT.
    • You must apply for work authorization from your DSO by submitting one of the forms below.
  • Current CPT Students

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

  • General Information
    • OPT is only available to F-1 students who have completed a degree program.
    • OPT must relate to the degree program's field of study.
    • You are eligible to apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, (i.e. associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate).
    • You must apply for work authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The application fee is $410.
    • Pre-completion OPT is limited to part-time while school is in session and full-time during official breaks.
    • Post-completion OPT must be full-time (at least 20 hours per week).
    • Students who are interested in OPT will be enrolled in a Canvas module which will guide you through the OPT application process. Please click here to request to be registered for the course. 
  • Active OPT Participants
  • Traveling Outside the US While on OPT 
    • If you are considering traveling outside the U.S. after your Program End Date, while your OPT is pending, please contact your International Student Advisor.
    • If you are traveling outside the U.S. after your OPT has been approved, please be sure to have the following documentation with you to present upon reentry to the U.S..
      • I-20  with Valid Travel Signature: 
        • When traveling during OPT, the travel signature is only valid for re-entry to the U.S. within 6 months of the signature date.
      • Valid Passport: 
        • Must be valid 6 months beyond your date of re-entry to the U.S. Passports may be renewed at your country’s embassy or consulate within the U.S.
      • Valid U.S. Visa: 
        • A student visa must be valid at the time of re-entry (Citizens of Canada do not require a visa.) 
        • Exception: Automatic Visa Revalidation [8 CFR 214.1(b)(3)]: F and J non-immigrants can usually re-validate an expired visa automatically when returning to the U.S after a visit of less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands except Cuba. 
        • If you intend to use automatic visa re-validation, travel with your printed I-94. 
      • Travel During OPT Authorization: 
        • Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD/OPT Card) AND Job Offer/Letter for Employment in Major Field of Study
        • Bring recent pay stub/proof of employment if possible

24-Month STEM OPT Extension

  • General Information
    • STEM OPT is only available to F-1 students who have a qualifying CIP code
    • The STEM OPT extesion application process is essentially the same as that of general OPT.
    • You may continue to work on your expired EAD for OPT up to 180 days while your 24-month extension petition is pending if you meet these conditions:
      • You are currently in a period of post-completion OPT.
      • You properly and in a timely manner filed your application for the 24-month extension with USCIS.
    • If you would like to apply for an OPT STEM Extension, please click here fill out the STEM OPT Extension Request form

Academic Training (AT)

  • AT is only available to J-1 students.
  • AT must be directly related to your major field of study.
  • AT is available both during (pre-completion) and after (post-completion) your program.
  • Pre-completion AT allows you to work part-time while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods.
  • You must maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout the period of AT.
  • AT may not exceed 18 months, or the duration of your program, whichever is shorter.
  • For more information about AT, review the AT Application Instructions.

Overview
If other employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, an eligible F-1 student may request employment authorization based on severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond the student's control. These circumstances may include a loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, or unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses. Source: [8 C.F.R. 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C)-(D) and (F)].

 

Eligibility Criteria
You are eligible to apply for employment based on severe economic hardship if:

  • You have been in F-1 status for one full academic year
  • You are in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA) and are taking a full course load
  • Employment will not interfere with your studies
  • You can demonstrate that the employment is necessary to avoid severe economic hardship due to unforeseen economic circumstances beyond your control
  • You can demonstrate that on-campus employment is not available or is insuffienct to meet your financial needs

 

Documentation Needed to Apply

  • Personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation and, if possible, attach backup documentation; for example, news articles, a letter from home telling of a change in family circumstances or proof of a currency devaluation in your country, etc.
  • Documentation showing that on-campus employment opprotunities are not available or are insuffiecnt to meet your financial needs
  • Completed Form I-765, using the code (C)(3)(iii) at item 16; do not date the form until you are ready to send the application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • Copies of your current and previous I-20s
  • Copy of paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94 (please click on the link for instructions)
  • Copy of your F-1 visa page (except Canadians) or I-797 (approval of change of status to F-1)
  • Copy of your unofficial transcript available from MySSU portal
  • $410 Filing Fee (can be paid via money order, personal check, cashier's check or pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

 

How to Apply for Severe Economic Hardship

  1. Fill out the Economic Hardship Request form
  2. Submit the requested documentation to katie.obrien@sonoma.edu
  3. If your request is approved, you'll be issued a new I-20

Submitting Your Severe Economic Hardship Application to USCIS
Once you have requested a Severe Economic Hardship Employment recommendation and received your new I-20 from the CIE, you will need to prepare and submit the following list of items to USCIS:

  • Two passport photos, taken no more than 30 days before filing the form. You can have these photos taken at the CIE ($4 fee), or you can go to the U.S. Post Office or any CVS location.  Form I-765 filing fee - $410 check or money order made payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. To request a fee waiver, you should also include a Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Review USCIS guidance on fee waivers before completing the Form I-912.  Form I-765
  • A copy of your new I-20 with employment recommendation
  • Copies of your previous I-20(s)
  • Copy of your passport
  • Copy of your F-1 visa or I-797
  • Copy of your Form I-94
  • Your personal statement along with any other supporting documents

Mailing to USCIS

Send your complete request to the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox at one of the following locations:

  • For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) First-Class and Priority Mail Express deliveries: o USCIS P.O. Box 21281 Phoenix, AZ 85036
  • For overnight/courier deliveries (non-USPS, i.e. FedEx, UPS): o USCIS Attn: AOS 1820 E. Skyharbor Circle S Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85034

Approval Process
If the application is approved, USCIS will issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) to you.
If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing. You may not begin employment until you have received the EAD and the dates are valid.

Location

This authorization is designed for off-campus employment. On-campus employment is already permitted under the F-1 visa.

Duration
The authorization is granted in one-year intervals, or until the program end date, whichever is shorter.

Hours Per Week
You may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during official university holidays.

Field/Level of Work
Employment can be in any job. Does not have to be related to course of study.

 

 

 

 

 

General Tax information

Sonoma State University does not verify that you fulfill your tax obligations. However, we do want to ensure that you are provided with all of the information possible to ensure that you do file your taxes/forms successfully.

When do I file my taxes?

Taxes are based on each calendar year (January 1st- December 31st). Generally, you can file your taxes/submit the appropriate forms between January 1st and April 15th for the previous year's taxes.

Who needs to file taxes?

Any F-1 or J-1 student who received income in the United States for the previous calendar year.

What if I didn't work or receive income for the previous calendar year?

If you did not receive any source of income in the United States during the past calendar year, then you do not need to file income tax returns.However, you are obliged to still file a Form 8843 with the IRS.

You can file your Form 8843 with Sprintax, but you will have to pay their service fee. 

If you would like to file your Form 8843 by hand, please click here to access our guide on how to complete and submit the form. 

What is the IRS?

The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is the United States’ federal institution which collects and analyzes taxes for the country. It is important to note that when you work in the United States, you will be paying both Federal and State income taxes. 

 

Information on Filing Taxes as an F-1/J-1 Students

If you earned income in the United State in the previous calendar year, then you are obligated to file taxes with the IRS and the State of California. 

Filing taxes can be a complicated process, so that is why Sonoma State University has arranged access to Sprintax Tax Preparation for you. Sprintax will guide you through the tax preparation process, arrange the necessary documents and check if you’re due a tax refund. 

Sprintax was used by over 225,000 international students and scholars last year, and the average Federal refund received by eligible students was over $1,126.

Sonoma State University does not receive any compensation for recommending Sprintax Tax Preparation services. We promote their services simply because they can make the tax-filing process much easier. 

Students can also see the support of a tax professional to file their taxes. 

You can click here for a full explanation of F-1 tax information.

You can click here for a full explanation of J-1 tax information. 

 

2023 Tax Filing Information

  • You should receive your W-2 form from your employer(s) between mid-January and mid-February. Reach out to your employer if you have questions about your W-2. 
    • If you were working as an independent contractor, then you should also receive 1099 forms from each of your clients
  • Once you have your W-2/1099s, you can file your tax return

*please note there is no guarantee that you will receive this amount in refunds as it is based on each individual’s specific circumstances