On-Campus Employment
Learn about what is considered on-campus employment.
overview and definition
F-1 students are authorized to work in positions that qualify as on-campus employment without special authorization from ISSS. However, students who do not have a Social Security Number, must apply with ISSS and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
On-campus employment is specific to work that takes place on the University of Utah campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Third-party vendors on-campus that offer direct services to students will also be considered (e.g. Panda Express, Chartwells, etc.)
On-campus jobs offer flexible schedules and hours, which may be conveniently near your classes and can offer real job skills. Search for on-campus jobs on the University of Utah's Employment page or through Handshake.
Policies
Work-Study Positions
International students are not eligible for work-study positions on-campus, because it is a federally funded program.
Hours
Students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and up to 40 hours per week during official school breaks (this does not include holidays or days with no class)
| Fall/Spring Semesters | Summer (First and Final Semester at the University) | Annual Vacation (Summer) or Official University Breaks |
| 1-20 hours per week | 1-20 hours per week | 1-40 hours per week |
Remote Work
Students are permitted to do remote-work but will need to provide their supervisor's information when filling out the Social Security Number Application Letter for On-Campus Employment e-form.
Working More Than One On-Campus Job
Students are permitted to have more than one on-campus job, so long as they do not exceed the permitted number of hours per week while school is in session.
Students holding employment in more than one department should inform their employers of the other position(s).
*For employment during the summer, please refer to the Summer/Vacation Employment section below.
Working on CPT & On-Campus Simultaneously
Students who are authorized for CPT during the Fall/Spring semester and have an On-Campus job should not exceed a combined 40 hours between both CPT and any on-campus employment.
Remember, On-Campus employment cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the Fall/Spring semesters.
*For Summer, please refer to Summer/Vacation Employment below.
Students Graduating (Non-Thesis Students)
Graduating students must stop all on-campus employment by the official last day of university finals. The dates can be found on the Academic Calendar.
Students Graduating (Thesis-Students)
Graduating students that are using the thesis defense date as the last day of their program must stop all on-campus employment by their thesis defense date.
Out of Status
Students who have fallen out of status and their immigration record has been terminated must stop working immediately and meet with an International Student Advisor to discuss options for regaining their F-1 status.
Summer/Vacation Employment
F-1 students may work more than 20 hours per week during authorized breaks. The following includes:
- Official University Breaks (Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break).
- The day after the last day of finals up until the start of the next semester.
- Between semesters.
Summer is not considered a vacation period in the following situations:
- Students who begin a new program in the summer.
- Students completing their program in the summer semester.
- Students returning from a Leave of Absence with a new SEVIS record in the summer.
The official start and end date of the semester, final exam periods, and official university breaks are all posted in the Academic Calendar. Check the calendar to confirm the dates.
Application Process
If you have been previously issued an SSN in the U.S., you do not need to request a new number. If your on-campus employer only needs to check your immigration status, you can submit an e-form titled, "F-1 Status Verification for On-Campus Employment" in UAtlas.
If you have been offered an on-campus job for the first time and do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will need to obtain a completed, "On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for Social Security Number Application Form" from ISSS and get an authorized signature from an ISSS advisor. This form must be presented to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to apply for an SSN. Please follow the steps below if you have a job offer and need to obtain an SSN.
Application Steps
Work with department/on-campus employer to fill out the On-Campus Employment Offer
Letter for Social Security Number Application Form
The department/on-campus employer will fill out the top portion of the form. Refrain
from filling out the ISSS section, this will be filled out by the ISSS advisor.
ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT OFFER LETTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER APPLICATION FORM
Login to UAtlas
Submit the Social Security Number Application Form for On-Campus Employment e-form and upload the completed On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for Social Security Number Application Form to this e-form.
A Designated School Official (DSO) from ISSS will review the request. Processing time
is within 10 business days.
If further information or documentation is needed, a DSO will contact the student
via email or by phone.
Bring Original "On-Campus Employment Offer Letter for Social Security Number Application
Form" to ISSS Office
Students will receive a notification to their University of Utah email (Umail) to
bring the original form to ISSS during Walk-In Advising for a wet signature from the DSO.
Present the Form to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to apply for
a Social Security Number (SSN)
For detailed instructions on how to apply for a Social Security Number, please refer
to the Social Security Number page on our website.
Work with your employer/department with next steps after receiving your Social Security Number.
On-Campus - Frequently Asked questions
Students can find more information about on-campus employment from the U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement for employment.
On-campus employment is specific to work that takes place on the University of Utah campus or at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the school. Third-party vendors on-campus that offer direct services to students will also be considered (e.g. Panda Express, Chartwells, etc.
Other locations will require further verification from ISSS.
If you are unsure if the department is unaffliated with the university, please reach out to ISSS for verification.
Yes, please refer to the Tax page for more information.