Employment Opportunities

On-Campus
While school is in session, you must work a minimum of 5 hours, and you may work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week in any campus job. During breaks and holidays, you may work up to a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Off-Campus
In some cases, you may be authorized to work off-campus. You must have written authorization from US CIS PRIOR to obtaining employment. For more information, see below.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
Often referred to as an (paid) internship and a benefit offered to WC international students with 30 credits or more and who have been in status for a minimum 9 months. Interested students should contact the Internship Coordinator in the Career Office and then consult with the Director of International Programs.

Credit is recommended, either during the academic year or during the summer. (See Internship Coordinator as noted above for more information on how to receive credit at Westminster.)
Employment must be related to academic area of study
Requires authorization by DSO (Designated School Official). DSO offers notification to US ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) through SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System)
Must complete form I-538 and indicate how employment relates to area of interest
NO fee required

OPT (Optional Practical Training)
May also be referred to as an internship and a benefit offered to WC international students with 30 credits or more. Interested students should contact the Internship Coordinator in the Career Office and then consult with the Director of International Programs.

May be taken pre or post completion of studies
Employment must be related to academic area of study
Requires notification & clearance by DSO and authorization of ICE through SEVIS
Must complete form I-538 for WC & I-765 for US CIS (US Citizenship & Immigration Services)
Fee is required (Approximately $200)

Severe Economic Hardship
Benefit available to international students in F-1 status after 1 year. Employment need not be related to academic area of studies.

Must be able to demonstrate financial need and a change of financial situation since initial I-20
Requires notification & clearance by DSO and authorization of US ICE through SEVIS
Must complete form I-765 for US CIS. Application requirement includes written statement by student indicating reasons for request and documents supporting those reasons (i.e. bank statements, affidavits, sponsorship letters, etc.)
Fee is required

Important Documents

Passport
You must have a valid passport at all times. If you need to renew or replace your passport, contact your home country's embassy or consulate right away.

US ICE SEVIS FORM I-20
It is important that you clearly understand what your I-20 says. It must reflect your situation exactly and MUST NOT BE EXPIRED. Please contact the campus DSO immediately if any changes need to be made (this includes an extension of program, change of level or program/major, transfer to another school and others). You must keep all of your I-20's, whether or not they are currently valid.

US ICE FORM I-94
Your I-94 should remain stapled in your passport at all times. If you lose your I-94, contact the DSO immediately.

Social Security Numbers
International students may apply for a free social security number by checking with the Director of International Programs. On-campus employment is required to apply. Students will need an application, letter of good standing from Director of International Programs, I-20, visa, and I-94.

Filing Taxes & Form 8843
If you were physically present in the United States during the year prior to our current year, you must file. You should file a US tax return (usually Form 1040 NR-EZ) by April 15 of the current year if:

You earned taxable income in the previous year, either from on or off campus employment and / or from a scholarship which is greater than tuition.
Your income was subject to withholding, even if no tax was withheld.

NOTE: Even if you did not earn income in the previous year and are exempt from filing a tax return, you must file Form 8843. ALL non-resident aliens who were physically present in the United States at any time during the previous year must file this form to explain exemption. Form 8843 must be postmarked no later than June 15 of the current year.

Maintenance of Status

IMPORTANT NEWS YOU CAN USE!
F-1 students are required to have a valid unexpired US CIS SEVIS Form I-20. F-1's must follow the CIS regulations governing their non-immigrant (F-1 student) status. For example, an F-1 student should not engage in unauthorized employment or under- enroll without prior authorization. For more detailed information and for updates regarding new regulations in immigration, please speak with the Director of the Office of International Programs. Then watch for and READ updates sent to your Westminster e-mail account.

(Please note that the Director of International Programs serves as your Primary Designated School Official. Other campus DSO's are available in Enrollment Services and Reeves Library .

NOTIFICATION
*The Department of Homeland Security & those bureaus affiliated with immigration (in particular, the US Citizenship & Immigration Services or US CIS) require the periodic reporting of certain records and events relating to immigration status to remain in compliance with immigration regulations and SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System).

RESOURCES to check out...
Immigration > www.uscis.gov & www.ice.gov
www.educationusa.state.gov
IRS / Internal Revenue Service > www.irs.gov
Social Security Administration > www.ssa.gov
U.S. Department of State > www.state.gov

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS , please do not hesitate to contact the Director of the Office of International & Off-Campus Programs, Tonya Veltrop, at 573-592-5182, via e-mail, or drop by the office in Room 146 Westminster Hall. We're here to serve you!