INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EMPLOYEE FAQs Employment eligibility for international students is governed by federal law. Hofstra University’s Office of International Student Affairs is responsible for verifying the work eligibility of our international students. All questions by international students or managers regarding eligibility and other special requirements relating to employment of the international student should be addressed to that office at (516) 463-6796 or international@hofstra.edu. Is an international student eligible to work in the United States? You should not assume that an international student is automatically eligible to work in the United States. Unauthorized employment is a most serious violation and puts your ability to remain in the United States in jeopardy. Students should consult with the Office of International Student Affairs before accepting any employment. What documents should the international student bring to the Office of Student Employment? • • • • •
Completed Work Permit. Social Security Card (or receipt from the Social Security Administration Office) Unexpired foreign passport Form I-94 Form I-20
Students who do not have a Social Security Card must apply for one immediately and may not begin working until they do so. The Office of Student Employment will then direct the international student to meet with the Payroll department, which will also require the presentation of these documents. Meeting with a Payroll representative. The Internal Revenue Service has special tax withholding rules that apply to wages paid to international student employees who are nonresidents. The Payroll Specialist will see that all tax related forms are completed accurately and submitted to the correct governmental agency. How does the student apply for a Social Security Card? The United States Social Security Administration, a department of the United States government, only issues social security cards to eligible international students who have permission to work and have been offered a job. In order to secure a Social Security card, an international student must be in full compliance with his or her student immigration status. If so, the student will need to follow the social security application instructions, which can be located by searching hofstra.edu/ssn . When an international student completes the application process he or she will receive a receipt from the Social Security Administration office. The student must then email this receipt to student-employment@hofstra.edu