Graduate Assistants Employment Eligibility

1. Enroll in at least 9 credit hours of coursework.
2. Upon arrival in the U.S., complete SEVIS Check-In, which will update your SEVIS record from "initial" to "active" status. It is crucial to complete SEVIS Check-In as soon as possible after arriving in the U.S. since international students are ineligible for employment with a SEVIS record in "initial" status.
3. Obtain an Employment Verification Letter (EVL) signed by both your hiring department and Clemson Immigration Services.
   • Pick up your EVL from Immigration Services:
     108 Long Hall, 230 Parkway Drive
     Clemson, South Carolina 29634,
     Call (864) 656-3614
     Email is@clemson.edu
4. Go to a local U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) office to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in person—complete instructions on applying for an SSN.
5. Await your SSN card, which may take a few weeks to arrive in the mail. If you are given an SSA approval receipt, you can take it in person to International Employment for review and temporary work clearance until the actual social security card is received.
6. Complete all required employee hiring paperwork with International Employment.
7. Submit a copy of your official SSN card to International Employment once it is received.
   • International Employment in Clemson's Office of Human Resources
     Administrative Services Building
     108 Perimeter Road
     Clemson, South Carolina 29634
     Email at intlemployment@clemson.edu
     Schedule an in-person appointment

Due to U.S. immigration regulations, international students are limited to working 20 hours per week on campus while school is in session, with limited exceptions. The dates of these exceptions are published on the Office of Human Resources International Student Work Calendar.