URI departments and hiring offices are encouraged to hire international students for eligible positions and job opportunities. Here is a basic overview of important immigration considerations to keep in mind when hiring international students to help make the process smooth and straightforward.
All hiring procedures involving student workers, including international students, are managed through Human Resource e-Campus. Please refer to the following resources for information on the I-9 form and List of Acceptable I-9 Documents. The Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) can provide guidance on immigration-related aspects of the hiring process.
Defining International Students
International students are those attending URI or any other US college/university who hold a non-immigrant student (F-1/J-1) visa status. They include:
- Currently enrolled students working toward their degree
- Students who have recently graduated and have been approved for post-completion work authorization, like Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT).
Depending on whether the student is currently enrolled or recently graduated, work benefits may have different restrictions, such as limits on hours and duration.
Employment Authorization & Hour limitations
International students at URI who are currently enrolled with a valid F-1 or J-1 visa under URI sponsorship can work for any URI department or office without needing special work authorization for on-campus jobs. However, there are hourly limits:
- 20 hours per week during the academic year while classes are in session
- 20+ hours during summer vacation and official school breaks
* URI Departments hiring international students as Graduate Assistants can send contracts directly to the students without needing any action from OISS.
Graduated international students are no longer eligible for on-campus employment without specific work authorization. The most common authorization is Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 visa holders, which allows employment related to their major field of study. General employment not related to their major is not allowed. OPT is valid for up to one year, but students in STEM fields may extend it up to three years. Work can only begin once they receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and the start date on the OPT card is reached.
For J-1 visa holders, Academic Training (AT) allows employment related to their field of study, with the length of authorization depending on the program duration.
International students from other U.S. colleges/universities can work at URI only if they have valid work authorization from their institution. They need to present this authorization when completing their I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form. Work benefits for these students often have restrictions, such as limits on hours and duration. Departments wanting to hire students from other institutions should have the student check with their institution’s International Office for guidance. These students cannot start working at URI until they present a valid work authorization.
Social Security Numbers (SSN)
An SSN is not needed to be offered, or to start, employment; however, if a student worker on an F-1/J-1 visa does not have a Social Security Number, the hiring department should provide a job offer letter. After receiving the offer letter, the student can request an SSN letter from our office (OISS) using the Sunapsis system. OISS will then guide them through the Social Security application process. Once the student gets their SSN, they will provide it to the hiring department and schedule an appointment with the Foreign National Tax Compliance Coordinator at foreigntax@etal.uri.edu for tax paperwork.
*International Students can only apply for a Social Security number after arriving in the U.S. and completing their check-in with OISS.