Off-campus Employment
due to Economic Hardship for J-1 Visa Holders
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION MATERIAL
According to U.S. government regulations, you are permitted to work off-campus "when it is necessary because of serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status."
Eligibility
- You must be in good academic standing.
- You must be engaged in a full course of study, except during school breaks and vacation periods.
- The employment may not be more than 20 hours per week, except during school breaks and vacation periods.
- An International Student Adviser at the IA must have approved the specific employment in advance and in writing. If your program sponsor is an outside agency, you will need to contact the agency for permission to work.
Application Procedure
- Consult with one of the International Student Advisers for the J-visa program in IA.
- Obtain from the employer, on- or off-campus, a letter specifying the type of employment. (Please download the form from the above link if the UO is your Program Sponsor.)
Authorization to work
One of the University's International Student Advisers can authorize your employment for no more than 12 months at a time. You will be given a letter to present to your employer. The authorization is valid only as long as you are in-status and is automatically withdrawn if your program is terminated.
Social Security Number and Taxes
Employers need a social security number to put you on their payroll. Take the following documents with you to apply for a social security number and card:
- Passport (Canadians may use another form of photo identification)
- I-94 Departure Record Card
- Pink copy of the J-1 Exchange Visitor's Form DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66)
- Your work authorization letter
Applications for social security numbers and cards must be made in person. You may go to the Social Security Administration's Eugene office which is located at the following address:
Social Security Administration
2504 Oakmont Way
Eugene, OR 97401
Hours open are: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Taxes
Income earned by J-1 Exchange Visitor visa holders is subject to applicable federal, state and local income taxes unless exempt by virtue of a tax treaty. Employers are required by law to withhold those taxes from paychecks.
- Federal (U.S.)
Effective for the 1992 tax year, all non-resident J visa holders must file form 1040NR and the accompanying Information Statement, Form 8843, even if they have no U.S. source income. By April 15, you must file an income tax return, Form 1040NR, with the Internal Revenue Service, covering the prior calendar year (January 1-December 31). The return determines whether you owe more taxes or are entitled to a refund. These forms should be mailed to the Internal Revenue Service, Philadelphia, PA 19255. See IRS Publication 519, "U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens," for more information.
- State
The state of Oregon has an income tax. You should file your state tax forms at the same time you file your federal tax return forms. Information about where to send your Oregon tax forms is found at the bottom of the tax form.
- Social Security
During the first five years as a student in J-1 status, you are not required to pay social security taxes from your earnings if the services performed are to carry out the purpose for which you were admitted. This includes work that is considered a part of your J-1 program and any other employment that is explicitly authorized by the Exchange Visitor Program's Responsible/Alternate Officer.
- Tax Workshops
International Affairs (IA) at the University holds a series of tax workshops from February-April 15. These workshops are designed to assist the international community in complying with U.S. and Oregon tax regulations. For more information about the schedule of these workshops, contact the IA.
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