International Student Employment Guidelines

Employment authorization for international students in the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status is limited.
Advisors or career counselors assisting students with questions about U.S. work should consider these tips:

• Students may work on campus in positions paid by Boston University or off-campus sites that are authorized in advance by ISSO. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week, but may be full-time during annual breaks (Winter Intersession, Spring Break, Summer Break if the student will return in fall). Certain positions, including Resident Assistant positions and Teaching Fellowships, are considered a 20-hour per week equivalent and students may not take another on-campus job.
• Many internships, rotations, or curricular placements require authorization, whether paid or unpaid.
• Authorization for off campus work must usually be in positions related to the student’s major field.
• Work authorization may also be approved if a student is facing severe economic difficulties beyond his/her control.
• Many types of work authorization require applications to the USCIS, which may take 90 days or longer to approve.
• Engaging in employment without the appropriate ISSO or USCIS permission is a serious violation of immigration status which can have steep penalties. International students are advised to speak to the ISSO well in advance of accepting any employment in the U.S., as your work permission is tied to maintaining lawful status.

The ISSO offers a series of workshops each semester designed to help students understand that limits and procedures for each type of work permission.