International Student Services

F-1 On-Campus Employment

On-campus employment is work authorization automatically granted to F-1 international students. As long as you maintain valid F-1 status and are enrolled full-time, you are allowed to work on campus without needing special permission from the Center for Global Learning (CGL) or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In other words, on-campus employment authorization is inherent to your F-1 status. You do not need to apply for a separate work permit to begin on-campus employment. However, you must still meet certain criteria before beginning any job, to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and university policies.

Eligibility Requirements

To work on campus as an F-1 student, you must:

  • have an ACTIVE SEVIS record
  • have an unexpired Form I-20 issued by SPU
  • be in valid F-1 status
  • be enrolled full-time during the academic semester/trimester
  • maintain good academic standing

What Qualifies as On-Campus Employment?

On-campus employment must meet all of the following conditions:

  • the job is physically located on campus
  • the work is for Saint Peter’s University or an on-site commercial business that provides services to SPU students
  • the job does not exceed 20 hours per week while school is in session (University policy limits on campus jobs to 15 hours per week)
  • you may work full-time (up to 40 hours/week) during official university breaks. Please consult with CEEL for the University’s policy on on-campus work during the summer and winter breaks.

Examples of on-campus jobs include:

  • Library assistant
  • Office support (departments, student services, etc.)
  • Lab or research assistant
  • Peer tutor or mentor
  • Dining services or bookstore staff

On-Campus Work at an Off-Campus locations

Per NAFSA guidelines, “on-campus” may also include work, “at an off-campus locations which is educationally affiliated with the school…In the case of off-campus locationss, the educational affiliation must be associated with the school’s established curriculum or related to contractually funded research projects at the post-graduate level. In any event, the employment must be an integral part of the student’s educational program.”

In certain cases, F-1 students may engage in employment that takes place at an off-campus locations but still qualifies as on-campus employment under federal regulations. This is permitted only if the off-campus site is:

  • educationally affiliated with Saint Peter’s University
  • an integral part of the student’s academic program
  • operated directly or in close affiliation with the university

Examples may include working at a university-affiliated research institute, medical center, or training facility. However, not all off-campus jobs are eligible—employment must clearly serve the student population and be formally associated with the university.

You must obtain written confirmation from both the university and the site of employment explaining how the position meets these criteria. The Center for Global Learning must approve the employment before you can begin.

How to Find and Apply for On-Campus Jobs

Students wishing to work on campus must work directly with the Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning (CEEL). Visit CEEL for:

  • job listings and internship opportunities
  • resume reviews and interview prep

Handshake Online Platform
Saint Peter’s uses Handshake to post student jobs and internships. To get started:

  • log in to HANDSHAKE
  • complete your profile
  • search for “On-Campus Student Employment”
  • apply directly through the platform

Once You’re Hired: What to Do Next

  1. Receive a written job offer
  2. Request a Social Security Letter from the Center for Global Learning through the International Student Portal. To obtain the letter, you must:
    • Log into the ISP
    • Navigate to the Student Request Center tab
    • Complete the Social Security Letter request
  1. Apply for a Social Security Number (if you don’t already have one)
  2. Submit employment paperwork to CEEL and the Payroll Office

Start Dates and SEVIS Activation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contact Us

Center for Global Learning (CGL)
Address: 2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Lee House
Jersey City, NJ 07306
phones: 201-761-7190 Email: [email protected]
Appointment Links:  https://bit.ly/CGLappt  OR  https://bit.ly/CGLappt2
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
*The CGL is closed on weekends and most national holidays.*