As an international student, it is your responsibility to follow both institutional and federal regulations to avoid losing your F-1 student status and visa. Always contact the Office of International Admissions with any questions or concerns you might have about the following regulations:
Be a full-time student
Carry Health Insurance
Know About Employment
Keep Your Information and Documents Current
Prepare For Traveling and Transitions
This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students.
F-1 students are eligible for on-campus employment which is limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session, and full-time (more than 20 hours/week) ONLY during official school breaks (winter break, spring break, summer vacation).
**DO NOT begin working until you have received your social security card!**
Please refer to the Student Employment Handbook on the Financial Aid page for more details about the hiring procedures, required paperwork, student responsibilities, etc.
If you need transportation to the Social Security Office, please contact the Center for Global Education at globaled@cn.edu.
Please contact Nilma Stewart at nstewart@cn.edu for any questions or additional information.
The United States Social Security Administration only processes applications for international students who have been offered a position of employment. Please see Nilma Stewart in the Office of Admissions for information on both the on-campus employment and social security application process.
When applying for a Social Security card, be aware that you will need to take the following with you:
To see the nearest Social Security Office, click here.
For more information on obtaining a Social Security card, visit:
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm#o-a-us-documents
The Department of Safety may issue a temporary driver license to an F-1 student for the length of time the student is authorized to be in the country if the student presents acceptable identification documents, pays required fees, and passes any required tests at the Driver License Service Center. As an F-1 student, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary license if you present the following documents:
Please also see Nilma Stewart in the Office of Admissions to obtain a DSO letter of verification to take with you. To get information on the nearest Driver License Service Station, click here.
For more information on obtaining a Temporary Tennessee License, visit http://www.tn.gov/safety/driverlicense/tdl.shtml.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students when the employment is directly related to the major area of study. To be eligible for OPT, you must have maintained legal F-1 status for at least 9 consecutive months or one full academic year. You must not have used full-time CPT for 12 months or more from any previous school. You may apply within 90 days prior to your program end date. It’s very beneficial to attend any OPT workshops that Carson- Newman offers to gain a better understanding of the guidelines of OPT.
There are 2 types of OPT: Pre-completion and Post-completion.
Both types of OPT will be deducted from the same 12-month OPT time limit.
HOURS & LIMITATIONS
Documents needed to apply for OPT:
**Please first notify your DSO that you are beginning the OPT application process to make sure that you have met all of the qualifications.**
Your DSO facilitates the OPT application process, but final authorization is processed by Immigration. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the application is submitted at least two weeks in advance of the program completion date. While you are on OPT you are still considered an F-1 Carson-Newman Student, and therefore must continue to report to your DSO to maintain your status.
International Student Handbook
Before traveling, you must complete the Travel Clearance Form and see your DSO to have your I-20 signed.
Tax Residency
International student residency for tax purposes is different than immigration status. The first five years in the U.S.A. (in F-1 status) international students are usually classified as “non-resident aliens” for tax purposes.
If you have been in student status in the U.S.A. for 5 or more years you may be a tax resident. If you are unsure whether you qualify as a tax resident or non-resident, see Sprintax.
It is important that you understand your residency status for tax purposes to ensure your taxes are filed correctly.
Non-Resident Taxes
As an international student, scholar, or dependent, you are required to fill out Form 8843 each year you are in the U.S.A. in F-1 (or F-2) status, regardless of whether or not you worked or earned income. Form 8843 must be completed for each dependent. If you were in the U.S.A. during any part of a calendar year, you are responsible for filing the annual tax forms before the tax deadline the following calendar year.
If you and your dependents did not earn any income in the tax year, Form 8843 is your only filing requirement.
If you earned income during the previous calendar year, you may need to file Form 1040-NR in addition to Form 8843. You will need a W-2 form and 1042-S (if applicable) to complete Form 1040-NR.
Internal Revenue Service Information
For more detailed information about international student tax, please review the IRS Publication 519.
The state of Tennessee does not have a state income tax, so no additional form is required by the state. If you worked in another state, you should research that state’s income tax requirements.
Tax Preparation Services
It is the responsibility of each student and scholar to prepare or seek assistance in the preparation of taxes. There are companies that provide tax services specifically for international students. Please ensure the resources you are using are designed for non-resident taxes (unless you determine you are a tax resident).
Online option:
For more information, see the Sprintax blog. Webinars are offered each spring to help familiarize international students with tax filing requirements. Check your weekly newsletter or contact Melissa for the tax webinar schedule.