All student employees must complete an electronic Form I-9 through Boston University to work on-campus and it is vital that these forms be filled out accurately and in a timely manner. This form is required by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the Department of Homeland Security.

Supervisors may not allow a student to work beyond 3 days if the student has not completed a Form I-9. Failure to complete a Form I-9 within this timeframe will result in delayed payment for the student employee. This is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and can result in prosecution.

The hiring department is responsible for ensuring that any new student employee (never having worked or been paid by Boston University) completes Section 1 of the electronic Form I-9 prior to or on the first day of employment. If a student has previously completed a Form I-9 at Boston University as a student employee, they do not need to complete a new one.

Section 2 of the electronic Form I-9 must be completed by and in the physical presence of an authorized BU staff member. The student must be present when identification is reviewed during Section 2 of the Form I-9.

Step-by-step instructions or a video guide for completing Section 2

For domestic students:

  • Staff should direct the student to Student Employment’s Required Paperwork webpage for instructions explaining how to complete section 1 of the form I-9.
  • An authorized staff member must access the Form I-9 vendor platform after confirming the student has completed section 1.

For international students:

  • Staff should confirm the student’s visa type:
    • If F-1 visa, direct the student to Student Employment’s Required Paperwork webpage for instructions explaining how to complete section 1 of the form I-9. On-campus work permission can be demonstrated by showing their foreign passport, I-20 and I-94 (digital or printed).
    • If J-1 or other visa types, direct the student to ISSO.
  • An authorized staff member must access the Form I-9 vendor platform after confirming the student has completed section 1.

    Documents presented to the authorized BU staff member to complete Section 2 of the Form I-9 must be original and unexpired student identification. Copies of identifications are not accepted as a requirement of the USCIS. A list of acceptable documents are available here. Once viewed, documents should be returned to the student.  The university does not maintain copies.

    Usage of the electronic form I-9 is covered under your university data security agreement and federal perjury laws. Misuse of the electronic form I-9 is subject to University and Federal penalties.