Working at NMU as an International Student

WORKING AT NMU OVERVIEW

Working while pursuing your degree is a great way to secure additional funding, meet people, make friends,  and learn about American culture in a very hands-on way. There are different employment options for all the stages of your student journey at NMU. 

  • As an F1/J1 student, you are eligible to work on campus for 20 hours per week during school, and 40 hours per week during school breaks. Students can work off campus only if they have received written work authorization approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the International Programs Office.
  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an alternative work/study, internship, co-op or other type of required practical training that a sponsoring employer offers through cooperative agreements with your college or university. CPT must be integral to your program of study. CPT can be full time and is not restricted by a weekly 20-hour work limit.
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT) is employment authorization for employment opportunities that are directly related to your field of study. OPT is granted for a maximum of 12 months per degree level . Students in certain STEM degrees may be eligible for a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT.
VS

F-1 Visa Students

Learn more about each type of employment available to F-1 Students:

J-1 Visa Students

Employment is authorized for J-1 nonimmigrants only under the terms of the exchange program. Please check with your sponsoring agency for more information on any restrictions that may apply to you working in the United States. 

Learn more about each type of employment available to J-1 Students:

taxes

U.S. Taxes for International Students

All international students need to file U.S. taxes each April. The International Programs Office is here to help you navigate tax season and will send communication regarding filing your taxes early in the Winter semester. If you have any questions prior to or during tax season, please contact the International Programs Office. 

Documentation that you need to bring to your tax session

Important Documents to Keep for Taxes:  

  • Passport
  • I-20 (F1 visa students) or DS 2019 (J1 visa students)
  • Entry/Exit Dates - go to the I-94 website, click on the "view travel history" button, enter your passport information, print out your travel history. 
  • Academic Advisor Information (name and email)
  • W2 - if you worked in the U.S. in 2018 you will receive a W2 from your employer. You can access your NMU W2 through your MyNMU account. 
  • 1042S form - if you are an athlete or our Sister City Scholar and you were charged withholding taxes on your NMU Ebill account you will get a 1042S form around March 15th. 
  • Laptop
Dining hall employment

Wilberforce Pamphlet

If you are coming to the United States to work or study, we are confident that you will have a pleasant and rewarding stay. If you should encounter any problems, however, know that you have rights and can get help. This pamphlet informs you of your rights as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories (specifically A-3, G-5, NATO-7, B-1 domestic employees, H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and J-1 visa holders). The U.S. government created this pamphlet at the prompting of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (Public Law 110-457), which reaffirms and strengthens the U.S. government’s commitment to fight human trafficking and labor abuses in all their forms.

Questions?

The International Programs Office can assist you with questions you may have regarding on-campus and off-campus employment. We can be reached at ipo@nmu.edu or 906-227-2510.