Employment
Employment Eligibilities and Guidelines
To maintain lawful status, international students and scholars must adhere to strict employment regulations set by the DHS and the Department of State (DOS). All off campus employment must be authorized, and students must remain in good academic standing.
Definition of Employment: Employment includes any paid work or services in exchange for compensation (money, tuition, housing, etc.). Volunteer work, on the other hand, is unpaid service for charitable or humanitarian organizations. However, unpaid internships may still require authorization—consult the OIE before starting.
Unauthorized Employment Consequences: Engaging in unauthorized employment violates immigration status and may result in SEVIS termination, requiring immediate departure from the U.S. or applying for reinstatement.
On-Campus Employment for F-1 Students
F-1 students may work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during breaks without special authorization. Eligible on-campus employment includes jobs within Xavier or with third-party vendors that provide direct services to students.
Off-Campus Employment for F-1 Students
Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT allows F-1 students to work off-campus in paid or unpaid internships related to their major. The internship must be approved by the Office of International Education and authorized on the student's I-20 before work begins.
Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is a temporary work authorization that allows F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field before or after graduation. Both USCIS approval and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) are required.
Pre-Completion OPT: F-1 students may apply for Pre-Completion OPT up to 90 days before their requested employment start date. You must be enrolled fulltime and have completed at least one academic year before beginning OPT.
Post-Completion OPT: You can apply for Post-Completion OPT as early as 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after your program ends. USCIS must receive your application within 30 days of your DSO’s OPT recommendation in SEVIS.
Important: USCIS processing times can take 2–3 months, so apply early!
Severe Economic Hardship Employment: F-1 students facing unexpected financial difficulties may qualify for off-campus work authorization through the USCIS.
Social Security Numbers & ITINs
Obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN): F-1 students may be eligible for a Social Security Number if they have authorized employment, such as on-campus jobs, CPT, or OPT.
Applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN): International students who receive taxable scholarships, fellowships, or grants but do not have employment authorization may need to apply for an ITIN to file their tax returns.
Tax Responsibilities and Filing
Tax Filing Obligations for F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders: International students are required to file annual tax returns with the IRS, even if they earned no income. F-1 students are generally considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes.
Tax Treaty Benefits: Some countries have tax treaties with the U.S. that allow students to exempt a portion or all of their income from taxes. Students should check the IRS Publication 901 to determine their eligibility.
Tax Filing Deadlines and Resources: The federal tax filing deadline is typically April 15 if you earned income, or June 15 if you had no income and are only filing Form 8843. The Louisiana state tax filing deadline is May 15 for those required to file a state return.
Free Tax Services (Tulane Tax Clinic): The OIE does not provide guidance and assistance with the tax filing process but rather, international students can access free support through Tulane University’s Tax Clinic during tax season (typically January– April), which helps with filing Forms 8843, 1040NR, and understanding tax treaty benefits