Student Employment
International students who would like to engage in employment, either on- or off-campus, must follow both University and Federal regulations governing international student employment. To learn more about employment authorizations available to you, please review the information below, or contact an international student advisor at (541) 737-6310.
On-Campus Employment
F-1 or J-1 students may engage in part-time (up to 20 hours per week) employment on the OSU campus while classes are in session. Students may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) between terms and during the summer vacation as long as they plan to enroll full-time the following term.
If you are offered on-campus employment, you will need to apply for a Social Security number and complete paperwork with OSU's Human Resources and Payroll offices. J-1 students must also obtain written work authorization from their program sponsor prior to beginning any on-campus employment.
Additional Resources:
Off-Campus Employment
It is very important not to begin any off-campus employment withour prior authorization from ISFS and/or USCIS. While on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you may be eligible to engate in a temporary internship or off-campus employment to gain practical experience in your field of study, before or after the completion of your program.
Curricular Practical Training - F-1 Students
F-1 students who would like to complete an internship may be authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) by ISFS. To learn more about CPT, please sign up for a free CPT workshop. Students must attend a workshop prior to applying for CPT.
Optional Practical Training - F-1 Students
F-1 students who would like to gain practical work experience in their field of study, generally following the completion of their program, may be authorized for Optional Practical Training (OPT) by USCIS. To learn more about OPT, please sign up for a free OPT workshop. Students must attend a workshop prior to apply for OPT.
Academic Traning - J-1 Students
J-1 students who would like to complete an internship or gain practical work experience in their field of study, either before or after the completion of their program, may be authorized for Academic Training by their program sponsor. To learn more about Academic Training, please make an appointment with an international student advisor by calling our office at (541) 737-3006.
Additional Resources:
- F-1 Visa Practical Training - An Overview
- Curricular Practical Training - CPT (F-1 visas)
- Optional Practical Training - OPT (F-1 visas)
- Academic Training (J-1 student visas)
Social Security
F-1 and J-1 students must apply for a Social Security card before beginning any employment. You will need the following documents to apply for a Social Security card:
- Job offer letter or an Employment Authorization Document from USCIS
- Letter of support from ISFS (Social Security Letter)
- Valid I-20 or DS-2019 immigration document
- Valid I-94 card bearing the correct visa status (F-1, J-1, or J-2)
International students applying for an original, replacement, or corrected Social Security card must apply in person at the Social Security office. The nearest Social Security office is in Albany, Oregon, located 12 miles east of Corvallis.
The application for a social security card (Form SS-5) is available online and at the Social Security office. Upon submitting the application, be sure to request a receipt, since it can take 4-8 weeks to receive your Social Security card by mail. The receipt will allow you to complete required paperwork with OSU's Payroll office.
Additional Resources:
