Work & Social Security Cards

Off-Campus Work

Students are not allowed by regulations to work-off campus without the express consent of the US government. Such off-campus work consists of OPT and CPT (for more information, please read the sections entitled OPT and CPT).

On-Campus Work

• Students are not eligible to work on-campus in their first semester unless the director, department chair, or advisor writes a letter stating why they are in need of employment in their first semester.
• Students are only eligible to work in designated “student worker positions” (not federal work study positions) up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and 40 hours per week during official school breaks which includes the summer terms. Students are only eligible to work in the summer for 40 hours per week if they have been at ASU for one academic year and are not enrolled in class.
• ESL students cannot work on or off- campus.
• Students can find on-campus employment either through Career Services or walking to individual departments to ask. There is no specific site that has all open jobs.
• The Office of International Programs does not have knowledge of open on-campus positions. Any open positions that are submitted to the Office of International Programs will be sent to students through their ASU email.

Social Security Cards

A student will require specific documents to take with them to the Social Security Administration in order to apply for a Social Security Card. Students cannot apply for a Social Security card until they have been in the US for 10 days.

The student must follow this list in order:

1. Must receive an original letter from the employer (department chair or director). The student will first need to give the original letter to the Office of International Programs. The OIP staff will need this letter to complete step 2. The letter must state what type of work you will do, your job title, how many hours a week you will work and be on official school letterhead, be signed, and dated
2. The OIP will issue you a letter that states your legal status and ability to work.
3. You will need to bring the most current I-20 (the one for active status) to the Social Security Administration. The I-20 you first entered the US on is not the most current I-20 as that I-20 is for initial status.
4. You will need to bring to the Social Security Administration your passport, US visa, and I-94 Arrival/ Departure card.
5. The address of the Social Security Administration is: 2608 Fair Park Boulevard. The Jonesboro Jet Bus service does pick-up and drop-off at this location.

REMEMBER

Students are responsible for maintaining their own immigration status at all times.

Please remember as you review the information on this page:

• This information is susceptible to change.
• This information is not an exhaustive list pertaining to enrollment requirements.
• For additional information regarding enrollment requirements, students can visit: www.ice.gov, www.uscis.gov, or speak with the international programs office. 

Students are responsible at all times for properly informing the DSO of their immigration status and academic status (as pertaining to immigration matters).