It is extremely important as an F-1 student to maintain your status while in the U.S. Failure to maintain the regulation of your F-1 student status will lead to an interruption of your studies or loss of your current immigration status and/or having to return to your home country prior to the completion of your studies.
Federal regulations require all non-immigrant international (F-1 visa) students to maintain lawful status while in the U.S. Below are the students’ responsibilities for compliance with federal laws and regulations:
All F-1 students are eligible to work on campus for 20 hours per week during the academic year and full time during school and the summer breaks. You do not need to apply to for work permission from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once you find a job on campus, you need to complete several forms with the International Student Services and Human Resources Office. Therefore, you are eligible to apply for a social security number as well. For Further questions, please contact the International Student Services Office. More info at HTTP://WWW.ICE.GOV/SEVIS/EMPLOYMENT/FAQ_F_ON1.HTM
Practical Training is one of the benefits of F-1 status and offers the opportunity to F-1 students to gain work experience towards their study. To be eligible fo practical training you need to be enrolled full time for at least one full academic year and the job you do must directly relate to your major of study. More info at HTTP://WWW.ICE.GOV/SEVIS/PRACTICAL-TRAINING/
CPT is employment pursuant to an internship requirement or internship elective which is an integral part of the established curriculum at OCC, which will be counted towards completion of your degree. CPT work must be part-time (less than 21 hours per week) during the academic year and full time during school breaks. If you engage in FULL-TIME CPT for 12 MONTHS OR MORE, you will lose your Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit when you graduate. Please visit the ISSO if you are interested in applying for Curricular Practical Training.
OPT is employment related to your field of study before or after your completion of all degree requirements. This employment must be authorized by USCIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services). OPT is permitted for a period of up to a maximum of 12 months per educational level. There are many rules and strict application deadline for the application, so it is very important to notify the ISSO about your decision at least 45 days before your graduation date. Please visit the ISSO if you are interested in applying for Optional Practical Training.Form I765 & Instruction: http://www.uscis.gov/
Economic Hardship is the employment authorized by the USCIS. It will allow you to work part-time (less than 21 hours) during school session or full-time during school breaks when only in cases of severe economic hardship occurring during your enrollment in an academic program or in emergent circumstances defined by Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Emergent circumstances are established when a world event impacts a group of non-immigrants and the Secretary of DHS publishes a special notice in the Federal Register to grant special relief to the group. If you think you may be eligible to apply for Economic Hardship, please contact the ISSO for detailed information. A recommendation for severe economic hardship is granted on a case by case basis by the ISSO and the academic department.
For more information about F-1 students traveling abroad, please visit: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel/faq_f2.htm#_Toc81222024
Please remember to bring your new immigration documents to our office after you return from abroad, as we need to keep copies of them in your file. Travel inside the U.S: We strongly recommend you to bring at least a set copy of each of the above documents with you. Transferring out F-1 Students, please do not use OCC’s I-20 to come back in the U.S. You must use your new I-20 issued by your new school to return to the U. S. We will be happy to help you examine your travel documents before you depart. Please feel free to contact us at 498-7216, and give us notice at least two days in advance.
As of October 2004, F-1 students are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) for tax purposes. Which means you must have an eligible on/off campus job offer.
A friendly reminder: All F-1 students are not eligible for federal work-study programs.
Steps for obtaining a Social Security Number:
Social Security Number Application Form: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf
There are a number of things to be aware of as you prepare to file a tax return:
For legal reasons, the International Student Services Office can only provide you with general guidance and information. We CANNOT help you complete or verify the accuracy of your tax return. Where to Mail your Tax Forms: Federal Tax Forms State Tax Forms If filing 1040NR, 1040NR-EZ, or 8843: Internal Revenue Service Center Austin, TX
73301-0215 State Processing Center PO Box 61000 Albany, NY 12261-0001
If filing other federal tax forms: Consult form instructions, a tax professional, or access: http://www.irs.gov/
For specific tax questions, please visit the following web site: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96431,00.html You can download IRS forms at: http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97817,00.html
If you do need to apply for a NYS driver’s license, here is the procedure: