Back to Training and Employment

On-campus employment can take the form of an assistantship (Teaching Assistantship/Research Assistantship/Graduate Assistantship) offered to a graduate-level student at the time of admission, or an hourly position at any university department, office, or approved third-party contracted service (UNCG bookstore, dining hall, and on-campus restaurants).

Please note: Although no specific authorization for on-campus employment is required, remember that on-campus employment is contingent on maintaining your full-time student status. For example, if you drop below full-time hours, your permission to work on-campus is immediately canceled.

If you have any questions about this program, please make an appointment to see an International Student Advisor.

General Eligibility

F-1 and J-1 degree-seeking international students (and in some cases non-degree-seeking international students) who are in good immigration standing are permitted to work on-campus at UNCG

On-campus employment eligibility ends after completion of academic program, but may continue if the student has been issued an I-20 visa document (F-1 student) to begin a new program at UNCG Qualifying on-campus employment may also continue under Optional Practical Training (O.P.T.) for eligible students.

Employment Restrictions

Federal immigration regulations limit the number of hours international students may work on campus. When an international student is enrolled in a full course of study during mandatory terms of enrollment (e.g., fall/spring), they may work up to 20 hours per week (part-time), cumulative for one or multiple on-campus positions. Though F-1 regulations do allow students to work up to 20 hours per week in an off-campus position in addition to their on-campus employment hours if authorized appropriately through Curricular Practical Training or pre-completion Optional Practical Training, there are additional University Policies in place which require special approval for these additional hours. Please speak with your on-campus supervisor for more information. IPC nor the Graduate School can grant special permission to F/J visa holders to exceed the 20 hour per week limitation while enrolled in coursework.

During vacation periods—normally fall break, winter break, spring break and summer vacation—international students may work on-campus up to 40 hours per week (full-time)Look at UNCG’s Official calendar for the start and end dates of those breaks. Please note, some on-campus employment opportunities have additional restrictions or requirements relevant to these terms; please reach out to your supervisor for more information or to confirm the maximum number of hours you are eligible to work during break terms.

Students are encouraged, however, to check with the offices of Payroll, their on-campus employer, and the Graduate School (if a graduate student) to confirm there are no other limitations to working additional hours. Students can only work full-time during vacation periods if they are rolled for the following term.

If you are starting your academic program in summer or completing your academic program in summer, you may only work up to 20 hours per week because you are not considered to be enrolled in a “vacation” term.

International students who exceed working 20 hours per week while enrolled in coursework during mandatory terms of enrollment (e.g., fall/spring) or who participate in off-campus employment without written permission risk violating their visa status. Potential effects of violating international student immigration status include, but are not limited to, termination of SEVIS record and the need to regain immigration status through costly and sometimes lengthy procedures.

Procedures

Consult the International Student Employment Checklist for the necessary steps to begin working on campus.