 Employment is defined as providing any type of work or services on either a part-time or full-time basis in exchange for money, tuition, books, supplies, housing, food or any other benefit.
You may only be employed and begin working after you have received the appropriate written authorization. Failure to observe this requirement will place you out of status. Also, employers may be cited, fined and/or imprisoned for hiring or maintaining employment for persons who are ineligible. Length of Employment: Permission to be employed typically expires upon - completion of program of studies or the period of lawful stay ends, whichever is sooner or
- expiration of employment authorizations as noted by USCIS or International Services.
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On Campus
Off Campus
Social Security Number
Tax Information
Eligibility
- Must have begun studies at BYU as a continuing student
- Must be in good lawful status (see F-1 Status Requirements)
- ELC students
- must have completed one semester in the ELC and
- be at least in the second semester of Level 3
Requirement
- “… employment … must not exceed twenty hours a week while school is in session. An F-1 student may, however, work on campus full-time while school is not in session or during the annual vacation.” Code of Federal Regulations (8CFR214,2(f)(9)(i)
- more
Authorization Procedure
- Hourly Employment
- If you are applying for employment for the first time or if you have had a change in your circumstances since your previous application, you must complete and submit a Request for Verification of Legal Status for On-Campus Employment to International Services.
- Read and sign your Verification of Legal Status for on-Campus Employment.
- International Services will authorize you for on-campus employment if you qualify.
- Go to Student Employment at 2024 WSC or on-line at https://jobs.byu.edu/student/ and review the listed job openings and secure a job.
- If you do not have a social security number, you may make application at this time. Application Process Details
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- Contract Employment
- Obtain a New Contract Hire Request from your employing department.
- Bring it to International Services for verification of your employment status.
- Read and sign a Student Acknowledgment of On-Campus Work Contract Requirements.
- If you do not have a social security number, you may at this time make application.
How do I get a Social Security Number ?
Note: By regulation, English Language Center students are not eligible for off-campus employment.
Click on the off-campus employment opportunities below for details.
A Social Security Number (SSN) is:
- a unique 9-digit U.S. government- issued number used for taxpayer identification, income reporting and record-keeping purposes
- required before you may begin employment
- valid for a lifetime—keep your SS card in a safe place
Application Procedure
- Obtain a written offer of employment from your employer.
- Bring the written offer to International Services to request a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) certifying that you are
- Take your International Services certification letter, employer offer letter, valid passport, visa, Form I-94 and Form I-20 to our local Social Security Administration (SSA) office located at:
Social Security Administration
485 N Freedom Blvd
Provo, Utah 84601
Phone: 1-800-772-1213 or 377-5651
Office hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Complete and submit your application form there.
(If you wish you may access and print an application form that you may complete before you go to the SSA office.) - You will be given a receipt that acts as a temporary card until your permanent card arrives.
Payment - When you earn money while in the U.S., you are required to pay state and federal income taxes.
- You may be eligible for benefits which may reduce or eliminate your tax obligation. For specifics, contact Financial Services, 801-422-6627.
Filing Tax Forms - Utah State tax forms
- The federal forms you file depend upon your “Tax Status.”
- Non-residents for Tax Purposes—You are likely a non-resident for tax purposes. (This is so if you do not meet the “Substantial Presence Test” described in the form directions which basically refers to how long you have been in the U.S.—up to five years.)
- If you earned no income last year, file Form 8843 for you and your dependents.
- If you earned income, file
- Form 8843 and
- Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ (NR stands for non-resident)
- Residents for Tax Purposes—You are a resident for tax purposes if meet the “Substantial Presence Test” described in the form directions. Basically it refers as to how long you have been in the U.S.—more than five years.
- If you earned no income last year, you do not need to file tax forms.
- If you earned income, file Form 1040 or 1040-EZ (not the 1040NR).
Federal Tax Forms—(These are keyboard fillable forms) Social Security Taxes—F-1 students are exempt from paying Social Security (FICA) taxes (Social Security Administration SSA 78-1005)
Other Tax Information
- Unless you qualify under a tax treaty between the United States and your home government, earnings will be subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes, and employers are required by law to withhold those taxes from your paychecks. By April 15 of each year you must file a federal income tax return and a “required statement” covering the prior calendar year to determine whether you owe more taxes or have a refund coming. NAFSA tax information
- If you work on campus:
- BYU files Form 8233 with the IRS and keeps a copy for audit purposes.
- BYU sends W-2 Forms to you if you are from a country not covered by a tax treaty.
- If you are from from Mexico, Japan, South Korea, or Canada, you have the option of claiming the tax treaty or filing an income tax return according to the information on your W-4.
- You must renew Form 8233 at the Payroll Office every year during the month of December for the next calendar year.
Resources NOTE: At the conclusion of studies, all students who have earned taxable income on or off campus may be required to obtain a Sailing Permit (Certificate of Compliance) from the Internal Revenue Service prior to leaving the United States for a destination other than Canada or Mexico. However, “. . . No sailing permit is needed if the student or dependent, while in F-1 or F-2 status, respectively, received no gross income from sources inside the United States . . . other than (1) Allowances to cover expenses incident to study in the United States (including expenses for travel, maintenance, and tuition), (2) The value of any services or accommodations furnished incident to such study, (3) Income derived in accordance with the employment authorization at 8 CFR 27a.12 (b) and (c) (on-campus employment, off-campus employment under the pilot program, optional practical training, and curricular practical training, or (4)Interest on deposits described in section 871(i)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code.”
