International Student Scholar Services

International students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are eligible for on-campus employment upon arrival to the U.S.  

If you are hired for an on-campus position and do not have a social security number, please return to the ISSS main page and select "Request a Letter".  Complete the letter request form for a social security number.  This form will generate a request automatically to ISSS and student employment to create the two necessary letters required by the social security office.  Please allow at least 3 days for your request to be processed.   Once your letter is completed, ISSS, it will be e-mailed to you with additional information on the documents you need to take with you to the Social Security Office.  

General Information

• To work on-campus, a student must be enrolled as a full-time student, and be in good status; a student can begin working when they arrive at Columbia their freshman year.  
• Must be in-status with their student visa. 
• You can work in more than one position for up to a total of 20 hours per week while classes are in session and up to 25 hours per week when classes are not in session and during the summer semester. 
• Please address any international student employment questions to isss@colum.edu. 

Eligibility Requirements

• You must enroll for at least 12 hours as an undergraduate or 9 hours as a graduate student.
• Have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Have current and valid identity documents (e.g. passport, F-1 or J-1Visa, I-94, and I-20).

Applying for Jobs

• Visit Handshake to see job openings.
• Upload your resume to Handshake, fill out your profile, and apply for on-campus jobs.
• Interested department supervisors will contact you for a job interview.

Find and Apply for Jobs on Handshake

• If You Have a Social Security Card
  1. Your supervisor will complete a hire request online.
  2. You will receive an email, informing you to visit the Student Employment office with valid and original forms of identification. Copies cannot be accepted.
  3. Students must complete hiring documents on or before their first date of employment.

  Important: If you are hired and do not have a social security card, you must apply for the card.