Explore UAB

Colleges & Schools

Global Affairs Graduate School & Global Affairs

Hiring Current International Students: F-1 & J-1 Students

On-campus Employment

As an F-1 student, you may work on campus as long as you:

  • Maintain lawful F-1 status.
  • Do not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.

You may be employed full-time (not to exceed 40 hours per week) during holidays and vacation periods, including summer vacation, provided you are eligible and intend to register for the next term. The 20-hour per week limit on your employment while school is in session applies to all types of on-campus employment

Hiring Procedures

Hiring international students without Social Security Numbers

The following steps must be completed:

Documentation needs to be submitted to HR or attached to Oracle:

  • Copy of UAB student employment application.
  • Copies/scans of passport, visa, I-94, immigration document (i.e. I-20, DS-2019).
  • Hire letter with start date and pay rate.

I-9 link initiated by an on-campus employer/school unit/department:

  • Employee MUST meet the ISSS or HRM Records or on-campus authorized agent to complete the I-9 section 2.
    • An employee MUST have completed the I-9 section 1 prior to the start date of employment.
    • An authorized agent (ISSS or HRM Records) MUST complete employee I-9 section 2 within 3 business days after the start date of employment.

Note: I-9 section 1 can be done while an employee is waiting for a U.S.-issued SSN by checking a small box says “Awaiting for SSN issuance.”

Obtain Temporary ID number:

  • Complete Trainee Determination Checklist provided by Financial Affairs.
  • Request ID by Submitting T.D. Checklist, copies of visa/passport, I-20 or DS-2019, I-94, and hire letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

After receiving a Temporary ID:

  • On-campus employer submits an employee ACT document using a temp ID.

Note: Several departments are required to complete an employee I-9 prior to the ACT document submission.

Social Security Number application:

Employees (students) MUST request the on-campus employment verification letters from on-campus employer and ISSS.

  • There are 2 separate letters that you MUST obtain before you visit the Social Security Administration.
    • An on-campus employment verification letter issued by on-campus employer. (See a pdfletter template (PDF).
    • An on-campus employment verification letter issued by ISSS.
  • Once employee receives their U.S.-issued SSN, they need to update it to:
    • ISSS by uploading a copy of U.S.-issued SSN.
    • One Stop Student Services, located in the Hill Student Center, first floor.
    • An on-campus employer. The on-campus employer then submits a Data Change ACT document with the updated SSN.

Note: Several departments are required to complete the I-9 prior to the ACT document submission.

Hiring international students who have already obtained a Social Security Number

Documentation need to be submitted to HR or attach to Oracle:

  • Copy of UAB student application.
  • Copy of a U.S.-issued SSN.
  • Copy of passport, visa, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019.
  • Hire letter with start date and pay rate.
  • Race_gender_self_ID_form completed.

I-9 link initiated by an on-campus employer/school unit/department:

  • Employee MUST meet the ISSS or HRM Records or on-campus authorized agent to completer the I-9 section 2.
    • An employee MUST have completed the I-9 section 1 prior to the start date of employment.
    • An authorized agent (ISSS or HRM Records) MUST complete the I-9 section 2 within 3 days of their start date.

Submit an employee ACT document using a U.S.-issued SSN:

  • On-campus employer submit an employee ACT document using a U.S.-issued SSN.

Scholarships Fellowships Classified as a Trainee Payment

Scholarships and Fellowships are normally awarded in the amount of $24,000 annually and are subject to taxation at 14%. Students who are awarded scholarships and fellowships are not eligible for an additional 20 hours of on-campus work each week since the scholarship and fellowship expects you to perform 20 hours of service per week to the awarding department.

New Hire ACT Document Approval by ISSS

ACT Document Arrives in ISSS Oracle Workflow for International Tax Determination.

ISSS will contact an employee and do a non-resident tax assessment to ensure tax status determination has been made and enter into UAB’s international tax software.

ISSS MUST review and forward the appropriate signed tax documents to the UAB Payroll Department, verify employment authorization and tax status before student can receives payment.

Back to Top