Work as an international student
Working at a job can provide valuable practical and cultural experience to you during your studies. You have many options for work as an international student or international exchange student.
Comparison of F-1 Employment Options
International Student Employment Options Virtual Workshop
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, January 12, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 95925328581
Meeting ID: 959 2532 8581 Passcode: 950703
What is considered employment?
Employment: Any work performed or services provided in exchange for money, tuition, books, supplies, room and board, or any other benefit or compensation.
Unpaid volunteering: You receive absolutely no benefit or compensation of any kind at any time.
Unauthorized employment is a serious violation of student status. Please contact the Office of International Affairs (OIA) if you have any questions or doubts about whether you are authorized to accept employment.
CPT Workshop: Click and view the CPT Workshop Presentation
CPT Virtual Workshops: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 95502961441
Meeting ID: 955 0296 1441 Passcode: 526406
Friday, January 19, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 94082230940
Meeting ID: 940 8223 0940 Passcode: 271593
Friday, March 8, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 91759164156
Meeting ID: 917 5916 4156 Passcode: 997884
Friday, April 5, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 96981842601
Meeting ID: 969 8184 2601 Passcode: 978238
OPT Workshop: Click and view the OPT Workshop Presentation
OPT Virtual Workshops: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, January 26, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 92463494183
Meeting ID: 924 6349 4183 Passcode: 528930
Friday, February 2, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 95772945024
Meeting ID: 957 7294 5024 Passcode: 134499
Friday, March 29, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 97733276462
Meeting ID: 977 3327 6462 Passcode: 427404
Friday, April 19, 2024
Join Zoom Meeting 92492184816
Meeting ID: 924 9218 4816 Passcode: 295342
Tax Information for International Students and Scholars
In this section, the OIA shares information and online resources regarding tax reporting requirements for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
The tax filing deadline for 2024 depends on your tax filing requirements.
If you earned income during the 2023 tax year, and are required to file a
Form 1040-NR, then your filing deadline is: April 15, 2024
If you did not earn income during the 2023 tax year and you are only required to file a Form 8843, then your filing deadline is: June 15, 2024
GLACIER Tax Prep
The OIA has licensed GLACIER Tax Prep to help international students and scholars prepare their federal income tax forms and comply with federal tax reporting requirements.
Before you access GLACIER Tax Prep to begin the process of filing your taxes, make sure you have all your required documents. If you were employed in 2023 and received income, your employer may send you one or more of the following forms: Form W-2, Form 1042-S, or Form 1099. If you have any questions about which of these forms you have or will receive, please contact the organization that paid you to confirm that you have all the forms you need to complete your US income tax filing.
Access to GLACIER
UM-Dearborn international students and scholars can create a free account to access GLACIER by following this link. Please note, the page is shared by the UM-Dearborn OIA and the Ann Arbor International Center. Follow instructions on the page to create your free GLACIER account. You will be assigned a temporary access code which you will use to create your GLACIER account. Please note, you must use your UM-Dearborn credentials (uniqname and password) to authenticate your account.
Questions
If you have questions while using GLACIER TAX PREP, you may select "More Info" at the top right of any screen. All screens also have a link to HELP. The HELP link will show you FAQs and the schedule for virtual Q&A Sessions with a tax professional. The HELP screen also allows you to send a question to the GLACIER Tax Prep Support Center. The Support Center will send a response to the email address in your GLACIER Tax Prep account. Please use GLACIER help resources to assist you in filing your taxes. We regret that OIA staff will not be able to help you use this software and cannot answer questions about taxes.
The OIA has prepared a video introduction to tax requirements for international students and scholars: "Tax Time!" The presentation from the video is also available online, enabling access to the links shared within.
Please note that the "Tax Time" presentation and video have been prepared by OIA staff and are intended only as an informational resource providing basic, introductory details about tax reporting requirements and processes. Students and scholars are strongly encouraged to attend the tax workshops and to consult a qualified tax professional regarding specific questions.
We hope that the following links will be helpful as you prepare your tax requirements:
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- The IRS provides information regarding federal tax reporting requirements
- Federal Forms
- State of Michigan Department of Treasury
- The Department of treasury provides information online regarding state of Michigan tax reporting requirements
- The Department of Treasury has also made additional resources available to students which the OIA is sharing via this DropBox Folder
- State Forms
- State of Michigan Tax Forms are available at the Michigan Taxes Page
- IRS Outreach Connections for Individuals
- This page, from the IRS, provides news, articles, advice, and additional resources
The OIA is once again collaborating this year with Global Detroit, the UM Ann Arbor International Center, and the Michigan Department of Treasury to host tax information workshops for international students.
The workshops will be hosted virtually, over Zoom, and there will be three opportunities to attend:
Global Detroit Workshop: (Sponsored by Global Detroit)
- The first workshop will take place on Friday, March 1st, 12-2pm: Virtual Meeting Link
- The second workshop will take place on Monday, March 11th, 3-5pm: Virtual Meeting Link
Michigan Department of Treasury Webinars
The Michigan Department of Treasury Webinars will take place on March 12 & 13, from 2-4pm.
You must register to attend by following this registration link.
Employment Options for International Students
Learn more about Curricular Practical Training (CPT), including alternate work/study, internships, and cooperative education. CPT approvals are dependent upon students' ability to satisfy academic policies regarding internship/co-op for credit which vary by College.
Find support for career and internships at the Office of International Affairs and across campus. See OPT.
If you suffer economic hardship due to unforeseen financial circumstances beyond your control, you may apply to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) for authorization to work off-campus part- or full-time. On-campus employment, however, cannot exceed 20 hours/week while school is in session.
Examples of unforeseen financial circumstances include:
- Unexpected changes in the financial condition of your source of support
- Medical bills
- Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on your part
- Substantial fluctuations in the value of currency or exchange rate
- Inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs
- Other substantial and unexpected expenses
The request must be submitted to the OIA along with the required documentation listed below. Be aware that it may take more than 3 months to be issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Eligibility criteria and requirements
- One academic year in F-1 status
- Employment will not interfere with full course of study
- Available only before completion of study
- Work does not have to be related to field of study
Documentation required
- SEVIS I-20
- Form I-765 and fee
- 2 passport-style photos
- Supporting documentation
- Additional information and application packet (PDF format)
Academic training is employment in the field of your academic program in the U.S. The maximum length of time allowed for both pre- and post-completion academic training authorization is either 18 months, or the number of months you are a full-time student, whichever is shorter. If employment is required in order for you to graduate, you are eligible for 36 months of academic training. Part-time academic training counts the same as full-time toward your maximum allowance.
You are eligible for academic training authorization:
Before completing your program of study | After completing your program of study |
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You may work part-time while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods. Under certain circumstances, you may interrupt study to work full time (e.g., while you are writing your thesis.) | You may work if you can present your J-1 Responsible Officer with:
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On-Campus Employment Eligibility and Requirements Information
F-1 | J-1 | |
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Eligibility |
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Note: Enrollment is not required during winter break or summer session, but you must be eligible to enroll for the following semester. |
Max time |
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Permission required | No permission is required | Yes! To engage in any type of employment as a J-1 student, you must first obtain written authorization from the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO). |
Where allowed | Must be located on the UM-Dearborn campus |
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Documentation Required |
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U.S. income tax is collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has a special set of rules (and special tax forms and publications) for most international students and exchange visitors in the U.S. A copy of these regulations are listed in IRS publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.
As an F-1 student or J-1 scholar, you are required to file a federal income tax return.
- If you earned no U.S. income, file Form 8843.
- If you earned any U.S. income, file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ. You must also complete Form 8843 and mail it with your 1040.
Please seek professional guidance from a qualified accountant or attorney in order to understand and meet specific tax obligations.
Visit the Social Security Administration’s site (SSA) to learn how to:
- Obtain your Social Security Card
- Browse frequently asked questions
- Find your local Social Security office
H-1B Resources
The OIA partnered with Fakhoury Global Immigration to present an H-1B Information Session.
To accompany the session recording, here is the H-1B Information Session slide presentation.