There are several career services offices on campus to meet the unique needs of the many majors offered at UW-Madison.
ISS also partners with career services offices to offer unique workshops for F-1 and J-1 international students to understand the immigration requirements of employment authorization in the U.S. You can find upcoming workshops on our events calendar!
Career planning is an important part of your academics at UW-Madison, whether you wish to gain work experience in the U.S., back home, or in another country. It’s never too early to start mapping your career path. We encourage you to take advantage of the career services offices on campus.
UW-Madison career services offices are staffed with professionals to assist you in many areas, including:
This document includes multiple online career resources.
ISS_OnlineCareerResources
A student in F-1 status may work up to 20 hours per week on campus while enrolled in a full course of study (12 credits for undergraduates, eight credits for graduate students, three credits for dissertators). As a full-time student, you do not need permission to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week. You will need to show your employer documents which establish your identification and employment eligibility, as listed on the I-9 form. The I-9 form is something that all new employees must complete.
A student in J-1 status enrolled in a full course of study is eligible to work up to 20 hours per week on campus after securing a written program sponsor permission letter. The program sponsor for J-1 student visa holders is listed in item #2 on their DS-2019.
There is no exception to the on-campus 20 hours-per-week maximum during the major Fall and Spring semesters. On-campus employment may exceed 20 hours a week during vacation periods (summer, semester break) for students who have maintained full time status before the vacation, and intend to register for the following semester.
“On-campus” jobs include work in the UW student unions, libraries, recreational centers, and in academic and administrative departments.
A great way to find on-campus job opportunities is through UW-Madison’s Student Job Center website. It has updated postings for on-campus jobs available at the UW. Make sure you look at the on-campus section of the UW-Madison Student Job Center.
A Social Security number is only required if you work in the U.S. (even if you work on-campus) and can be obtained with proof of legal employment. See the following to learn how to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).
If you are applying for an SSN for the first time, and you are new to UW-Madison with an “Initial Attendance” or “Transfer-Pending” immigration document, you will be eligible to apply for an SSN when your SEVIS ID has been registered/validated by our office. The registration/validation process begins in the first week of classes for the term. The Madison Social Security Administration (SSA) requires SEVIS IDs to be registered/validated before student’s apply for an SSN with their office.
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First, determine your eligibility for an SSN.
You must first have a job offer from an on-campus employer, or authorization (see the F-1 Employment page) to work off-campus under Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training.
Review the updated Social Security Administration information on what needs to be included in an ISS SSN Letter and Employment Letter to be used to apply for a Social Security Number: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211270
Request the Social Security Letter from ISS (you will need a copy of your job offer letter for on-campus employment or most recent pay statement). The SSN Letter Request can be found on Terra Dotta. The ISS Letter is only valid for 30-days for your application for an SSN. If your letter expires, please use the link above to re-request a new ISS Letter from our office.
The Social Security Administration(SSA) Office in Madison will not accept copies of letters. Therefore, we will not provide digital copies of the ISS Letter in Terra Dotta. Please come to the ISS office to pick up the letter or request ISS to send you the letter through the U.S. Postal Service.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in Madison began the process of intaking pre-applications online for students applying for SSNs. Below is a link to the updated online application. If you have additional questions about the application process, you can contact their office. As a reminder, these are recommendations from the local Madison, WI office. Other offices may have different requirements.
After you have submitted the application in the link below, you must go finish your application in-person within 45-days of submission. You must bring all the original documents listed below:
Once you have obtained your SSN, take it to the Registrar’s Office, 333 East Campus Mall, to update their records.
First, determine your eligibility for an SSN.
You must be authorized (see the F-1 Employment page) to work off-campus under Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training. You will see this authorization noted on the second page of your I-20 under the Employment Authorization section.
Review the updated Social Security Administration information on what needs to be included in an ISS SSN Letter and Employment Letter to be used to apply for a Social Security Number: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211270
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in Madison began the process of intaking pre-applications online for students applying for SSNs. Below is a link to the updated online application. If you have additional questions about the application process, you can contact their office. As a reminder, these are recommendations from the local Madison, WI office. Other offices may have different requirements.
After you have submitted the application in the link below, you must go finish your application in-person within 45-days of submission. You must bring all the original documents listed below:
First, determine your eligibility for an SSN. You must first have a job offer from an on-campus employer (see the J-1 Employment page).
Review the updated Social Security Administration information on what needs to be included in an Employment Letter to be used to apply for a Social Security Number: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211270
Get permission to work from the sponsor listed on page 1, Section 2 of your DS-2019. If University of Wisconsin-Madison is your sponsor (program number P-1-00105 listed page 1, Section 2 on your DS-2019), complete the application on Terra Dotta called “On Campus Employment” to apply for the on-campus work permission letter.
The Social Security Administration Office in Madison will not accept copies of letters. Therefore, we will not provide digital copies of the letters in Terra Dotta. Please come to the ISS office to pick up the letter or request ISS to send you the letter through the U.S. Postal Service.
If you have a different sponsor, you will need to procure a permission letter for on-campus employment from them before you can proceed.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in Madison began the process of intaking pre-applications online for students applying for SSNs. Below is a link to the updated online application. If you have additional questions about the application process, you can contact their office. As a reminder, these are recommendations from the local Madison, WI office. Other offices may have different requirements.
Apply at the Social Security Administration office using the following documents:
Once you have obtained your SSN, take it to the Registrar’s Office, 333 East Campus Mall, to update their records.
Processing Time for Social Security Letter from ISS (ISS Letter): a maximum of 15 business days (Not counting the time it takes for the USPS mail to arrive to your location if you chose this option). We will be sending you an email when the letter has been processed and with additional instructions for your application to the SSA.
Processing Time for an SSN from the SSA: around 10 business days, but may be more for international students with common family/given names. Please remember to follow the instructions above for applying and to follow each step. Click here for the Madison Social Security Administration Office Address & Hours
For other office locations: www.ssa.gov/locator
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A Social Security number (SSN) is an identification number that is assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. The SSN is used to post wages to Social Security records so workers can become eligible for Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration will only issue an SSN if you are working, have specific authorization to work, or have a government requirement to be issued an SSN.
Only the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax agency can require your SSN. However, many private service providers in the U.S. such as mobile phone and cable television companies ask you to provide a social security number in order to receive their services.
Legally, these companies cannot require you to provide an SSN. However, because many of these companies have policies and forms that ask for an SSN, they may be difficult to work with if you do not have one. Sometimes, international students encounter problems with these companies due to this issue. Be patient and search for a good company that will provide you the services you need even if you do not have an SSN.
Your UW-Madison SEVIS record must be registered with the federal government before you can apply for your SSN at the Social Security Administration. This will happen no later than 30 days from the program start date as listed on your I-20/DS-2019. For transfer students, we recommend that you wait until your SEVIS record is registered and you have been given an updated I-20 that that says “continued attendance” instead of “transfer pending.”
You can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Please check the following website for more information:
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number-itin
F-2 dependents are not eligible for an SSN.
J-2 dependents can apply for an SSN if they have work authorization in the United States.
Please speak with an ISS advisor for more details.
No. Lawfully admitted non-citizens can get many benefits and services without having a Social Security number. You do not need a number to purchase savings bonds, conduct business with a bank, register for school or apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or apply for subsidized housing.
To provide a valid SSN or ITIN, please stop by the Office of the Registrar with your Social Security Card and a photo ID. To allow the Office of the Registrar to review, edit or add your SSN electronically, please email us to request a link to a SecuredBox service through which you may share a scan/photo of your Social Security Card.
International students will always see the “Your Social Security Number listed in University Student Records is valid” message in the Student Center Profile under the Social Security Number section; even if they have no SSN on record. International students who are employed by UW-Madison and have an F-1 or J-1 student visa will not be able to manually add their SSN or ITIN through the Student Center.
On-campus employment is a benefit for F-1 students who are maintaining their F-1 student visa status. On-campus employment is defined as employment on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus that provides services to students on campus, or employment at an off-campus location that is educationally affiliated with the university.
During Fall/Spring:
During authorized vacation periods (spring, summer, winter breaks):
Looking for an on-campus job? Search the Student Job Center, Just ISSued, GradConnections Weekly, and department websites for postings!
You may be able to work off-campus under certain conditions, but you must have an approved authorization before you start. To be eligible to apply, you must be in valid F-1 status and have been enrolled full-time for at least two regular semesters (1 academic year). Four types of off-campus employment exist under F-1 immigration regulations. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are the most common types. You should plan out your applications for off-campus employment authorization well in advance; approval is contingent on meeting the eligibility requirements.
F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Students are encouraged to review this Career Timeline for F-1 International Students which provides ideas for steps to take during each year of their college education to be ready for internships and job opportunities.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides information about Working in the United States for F-1 students.
Please note that International Student Services (ISS) does not advise on taxes or tax law. The information provided is intended only as introductory information. If you need help with your taxes, you should contact a professional.
As an international student in the US, it’s very important that you comply with US tax law and understand the tax filing requirements of your visa. If any of the following circumstances apply to you during calendar year (January 1 – December 31) 2022, you MUST file a US tax return:
If you were working, you would’ve been subject to Federal and State taxes and therefore must file a tax return each year. If you did not work or receive income in the US you’re still legally obliged to file a tax return (Form 8843) to declare no earnings.
The University of Wisconsin System works with Glacier Tax Prep to help guide international students who work on campus through the tax preparation process. More information about this software and services can be found at https://uwservice.wisconsin.edu/docs/publications/tax-nonresident-alien-resources.pdf
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With no dependents – it means that you have no children, spouse, relatives, or other individuals for whom you pay expenses.
April 18, 2023 is the Federal and Wisconsin state tax filing deadline. If you only need to file Form 8843, the deadline is June 15, 2023.
Top of form:
Part I: General Information
1a. Write the visa type (F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2) you used to enter the U.S. and the date you entered the U.S. on that visa (see I-94 record).
1b.
If you did not change your visa status (for example, from F-1 to J-1 status) since you last entered the U.S., write your visa status again and then “No Change.”
Or
If your visa status changed in 2022, enter your new visa status and the date that the change of status became effective.
2. Enter your country or countries of citizenship during 2022.
3a. Enter the country or countries that issued you a passport.
3b. Enter your passport number(s).
4a. Fill in the number of days you were present in the U.S. for each year on the form.
4b. 4a for year 2022 – number of days on substantial presence test = 4b. If you have been in the U.S. for less than 5 years, your answer to 4b will be the same as 4a.
Part II: Teachers and Trainees
Complete Part II only if you are a J-1 Professor or Researcher; then sign the form on the reverse (if you are not filing Form 8843 with your tax return).
Part III: Student
Complete Part III only if you are a student; then sign the form on the reverse (if you are not filing Form 8843 with your tax return).
F-2/J-2 Dependents should write: Spouse/dependent of student attending University of Wisconsin-Madison, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706; Tel: 608-262-1234.
F-2/J-2 Dependents should write: Spouse/dependent of student whose Department Chair/Dean is ____________ at University of Wisconsin-Madison, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706; Tel: 608-262-1234.
Parts IV and V: Professional Athletes or Individuals with Medical Conditions
Do not complete Parts IV and V.
Bottom of Form
If you will be filing a tax return (for example, submitting Form 8843 with Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ), DO NOT sign the bottom of this form.
*Important: Make a photocopy of Form 8843 for your permanent records.
Mailing Form 8843
If you did not work in the U.S. during the 2022 tax year, send the completed 8843 form by June 15, 2023 to:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301-0215
If you DID work in the U.S. during the 2021 calendar year, send the completed 8843 form along with Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ to the address listed above by no later than April 18, 2023.
*Instructions adapted from University of Wisconsin-Platteville .
The University of Wisconsin cannot provide tax advice or assistance with tax form completion. For private, possibly fee-based consultations, consult a certified tax professional. For information related to taxes please visit the UW Service Center’s website.
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides assistance on federal filing requirements.
U.S. Internal Revenue Service: http://www.irs.gov
Assistance for Nonresident Aliens:
Assistance for Individuals with disabilities:
How to Contact the IRS:
http://www.irs.gov/contact/index.html
Income Tax Assistance for Resident Aliens:
Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA Sites):
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-V…
https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/pcs-vita.aspx
IRS Free File: https://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free
Wisconsin State Tax Assistance (Form 1NPR)
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) provides assistance on state filing requirements. Please note that the DOR does not prepare Wisconsin State Income Tax returns.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue Contact Information
Website: http://www.revenue.wi.gov
Email: DORincome@wisconsin.gov
Phone:(608) 266-2772
Forms and Publications: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/html/formpub.html
Filing a Wisconsin State Income Tax Return
If you need to file a Wisconsin state tax return, Wisconsin e-file is a free option available to do so.
Wisconsin e-file
FREE electronic filing system that nonresidents can use to file the WI income tax return. Located on Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s homepage: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/wi_efile/
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) manages Glacier. Review the information on OHR’s webpage before contacting them directly with any questions.
GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP) is web-based tax preparation software designed to help prepare a U.S. federal Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return (Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ) and Form 8843. UW-Madison student employees can obtain a Tax Summary Report through your Glacier Payroll Account. This report will provide your tax residency status to help you determine what status to file your taxes under. More information on filing taxes in the U.S. can be found here on the University of Wisconsin Service Center’s website.
Individuals who had a Glacier account provided by the University of Wisconsin during 2021 may access GTP directly through their existing Glacier account if they wish to obtain free access to the GTP software.
Free access to GTP will be made available to individuals affiliated with the University of Wisconsin after March 1, 2023. They will be notified at that time by email.
Late February is also when the University expects to release the 1042-S forms to individuals who received a scholarship/fellowship stipend, tax treaty benefit, or other payments under income codes 12, 15, 16, 18, 19 or 50.
Once notified of GTP availability, individuals will be able to log into GTP through their regular Glacier account using the following steps:
Anyone else being issued Form 1042-S will receive it via U.S. mail.
Individuals who do not remember the login or password for their regular Glacier account should select LOGIN, then FORGOT LOGIN. Once they enter the email address associated with their Glacier account and submit their request, they will receive an email containing Glacier access information.
Returns prepared through GTP are not electronically submitted to the IRS. Each individual must print, sign and mail their federal tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the April 18, 2022 tax filing deadline.
Federal tax returns (Forms 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ), Form 8843, and state tax returns should not be submitted to the University of Wisconsin.
Individuals with questions while preparing their tax return through GTP should contact the GTP support team. Help links are available on all pages within the GTP website. Individuals who do not wish to use GTP to prepare their federal income tax return may obtain tax forms and more information directly from the Internal Revenue Service website.
If you are having issues accessing this information you can contact the Office of Human Resources by emailing: glacier@ohr.wisc.edu.
Individuals who did not have a Glacier account through the University of Wisconsin during 2021 may request access to GTP to prepare a federal tax return. For further details on the request click here.
Returns prepared through GTP are not electronically submitted to the IRS. Each individual must print, sign and mail their federal tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the April 18, 2023 tax filing deadline.
Federal tax returns (Forms 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ), Form 8843, and state tax returns should not be submitted to the University of Wisconsin.
Individuals with questions while preparing their tax return through GTP should contact the GTP support team. Help links are available on all pages within the GTP website. Individuals who do not wish to use GTP to prepare their federal income tax return may obtain tax forms and more information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website. For students with disabilities, please see the tax forms in a more accessible format on the IRS website.
Sprintax is an online tax preparation software tool for international students & scholars to guide you through the tax filing process and avoid IRS penalties and fines. Sprintax will help you file a timely and accurate return, meet the tax obligations of your academic visa, and maximize your tax refund. It is an easy-to-use, step-by-step tool that helps you prepare your tax return online. Just follow the simple instructions, answer a few questions, and Sprintax will do the rest. Sprintax YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/Sprintax/videos.
University of Wisconsin-Madison does not partner with or endorse Sprintax.
You need either a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) in order to file your Federal or State income tax return. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will reject returns without these numbers. (Numbers that begin with 999 or 90 are not U.S. Social Security Numbers).
You do not need an SSN or ITIN to file only Form 8843.
Currently the U.S. has tax treaties or agreements with approximately 40 countries and territories under which their citizens may be exempt from all or part of U.S. federal income tax.
To see if your country is among these and how a treaty may affect your tax status, read the IRS Publication 901.
If you were not physically present in the US and you did not earn income from the US, you do not need to file Form 8843 or Federal or Wisconsin state taxes.
No. ISS staff are not tax professionals and are not able to review your tax forms before you submit. The advice provided on the ISS website is the extent of the advising we are able to offer. You may find a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who is familiar with Non Resident Alien tax filing to provide guidance, or use a tool such as Glacier or Sprintax to help prepare your documents.
Economic Impact Payments (Payments) from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
There are reports that some individuals received a deposit or check from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in error. If you are a non-resident alien for tax purposes, you are not eligible to receive the stimulus check. It is recommended that you do not spend this money as you may be required to return the stimulus. You may have received this in error because you mis-filed your 2018 annual federal taxes. You can amend your past tax filing if you believe you made a mistake.
You can review more information on the Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check) on the IRS website.
As a reminder, university staff are unable to provide tax advice.
Content used and recreated with permission from University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse International Education and Engagement office.