Transcript Money

Getting a job, Social Security, I-9, Taxes,
Paying Bills, and Driver’s Licenses
Sarah Jome
Employment Process
Attend Employment/OPT workshops
2. Determine your work authorization
parameters
3. Find a job
4. Get a Social Security Number
5. Complete an I-9
6. Pay taxes
1.
Types of F-1/J-1 Employment


On Campus – eligible for it immediately, no
special work permission needed, up to 20
hours per week, includes GA/GPSI
Off Campus – must have special government
permission
 CPT – must have class credit in major, not offered by
most departments at UIS
 OPT – usually done after graduation, takes
approximately 3 months for application to be
processed, application costs $380, job must be
directly related to major and appropriate for your
level of study

Attend Employment/OPT workshops
1. Determine work authorization
parameters
Immigration status
 On or off-campus

 Do you need to apply for special work
permission?
 Attend an employment workshop
Number of hours per week
 Come to OPT & Employment Workshops!

2. Find a job

Career Development Center
 www.uis.edu/career/international-students
○ Career Prep programs
○ Resumes
○ Work Options/Eligibility
○ CDC Services and Resources
 Most jobs will be found after graduation during
OPT period.
On Campus jobs can include student
worker, grad student hourly, GA/GPSI
 Attend Employment/OPT workshops

3. Get a Social Security Number




If you already have an SSN, don’t get
another one
Gather immigration documents
Get employment letter from supervisor and
have it also signed by Tracy or Sarah
Go to the Social Security Administration
Office (3112 Constitution Dr.).
 Approximately 3 weeks after application, card
will come in the mail. Sign it and show it to your
employer & your bank
4. Complete an I-9

Go to job site with proof of identity, proof of
work permission, and Social Security Number
 For example - Passport
 I-20 (update I-9 if I-20 extended)
 DS-2019 and work permission letter

Form is complete online
5. Pay Taxes
Taxes are withheld from every paycheck
 Due to tax your country’s tax treaty, you
may not receive a full pay check for one or
two months.
 Every spring, complete tax forms for the
previous calendar year – forms due April 15
 Pay attention to tax help information sent in
email newsletters – ISS buys online
international tax program (Glacier)
 Everyone must complete a tax form – even
if they didn’t earn any money

So, if you have an employable
Immigration status…
And a Job Offer…
You can apply for a Social Security
Number …
So that you to complete an I-9
and start working…
and do tax forms every year!
Congratulations – you get to do taxes
But also allowing you to earn money
so that you can…
Lose it.
don’t “let your money
go down the drain”
No No No…
Don’t let your money go down the drain!
Don’t lose your money.
Be safe with your money, bank account
numbers, PINs, codes, passwords,
Social Security Number, ATM card, cash
…allowing you to earn money so that you
can…
Pay your…
Bills, bills, bills, bills, bills, bills, bills,
bills, bills, bills, bills
Paying your bills

Each month you will receive a bill from
the organizations that you owe money
(sometimes even if you don’t owe money)
 UIS
 Telephone company
 Magazine company
 Etc.
Paying bills
Bills for UIS are due on the 28th of each
month.
 Tuition and fee bills are due September
28 and February 28 unless a payment
plan application is completed on time.
 Check out https://paymybill.uillinois.edu

 Online payments
 Paying in person at the office
 Paying by mail (postage is
 Wire Transfer (peerTransfer)
What if I can’t pay?
1.
2.
3.
Don’t spend money that you don’t have!
Fees will be added to bills that are late
– and – you will get big fines if you
“overdraw” your checking account
You will not be able to register for
further semesters or get official
transcripts from UIS until your bills are
paid
Driving in the U.S.
Acceptable Licenses
Unexpired license issued to you by your
home country
 License from another U.S. state
 Once you move to Illinois, please get an
Illinois driver’s licence
 “International License” not recognized **

Before you get an Illinois License
(or state ID card)
Get a Social Security Number or a letter
from SSA indicating that you are not
eligible for one
 Learn about the laws of driving in Illinois
by reading the Rules of the Road at
www.cyberdriveillinois.com/
 Learn to drive – driver’s education
programs are available

Driver’s license requirements






Valid passport and visa
I-94 card
I-20 from Illinois school valid for at least
one year with at least 6 months remaining
Either an SSN or denial letter
Pass driving tests – written, driving, eye
(must use own car)
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State’s
Office/Driver’s License at 2701 S. Dirksen
Parkway
Buying a car and learning to
drive…
Please, please, please take someone with
you who is very experienced at buying cars
in the U.S. before you sign any papers to
buy a car! (not me
)
 Mandatory insurance coverage
 License plates and annual car registration

Common Driving Laws
30 mph in town, 55 out of town, 65 highway
 20 mph school zone
 Stop for school buses
 Stop for trains
 Pull over and stop for
ambulances, police, & fire
 No ALCOHOL!
