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Alert

On Sept. 14, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction indefinitely postponing the effective date of the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule intended to establish a fixed time period of admission and an extension of stay procedure that would impact students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas, and other academic restrictions specifically for F-1 students. Northwestern is monitoring this case and any further developments, and we will continue to provide updates as appropriate.

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On-Campus Employment

F-1 students can work on-campus without authorization, according to the following requirements.

Finding On-Campus Employment

The following webpages provide student employment postings; student jobs are also advertised at various locations on campus.

On-campus employment for J-1 students is limited to 20-hours per week when class in in-session. However, these 20 total hours can be split between different types of employment, if authorized.

How to Request Approval for On-Campus Employment

To apply for on-campus employment authorization, you must submit the Student On-Campus Employment Request in the OISS Portal in the current students tab.

Any J-1 student not currently sponsored by Northwestern (i.e. Fulbright) must contact their sponsoring agency for the required employment authorization.

Authorization Expiration and Renewal

The On-Campus Employment Request in the OISS Portal will specify the period of time for which on-campus work has been authorized. Authorization can be granted for periods of up to 12-months at a time or for shorter periods.

In order to begin new period of employment, or to continue previously authorized employment (for which the form expiration date has been reached), you must complete a new request.

Reporting Employment Changes

You must submit a new J-1 Student On-Campus Employment Authorization Form to report any of the following:

  • Change in current employment (i.e. change in the number of hours per week);
  • Change in type of employment or employer;
  • Change in location of employment; and/or
  • Early completion and/or cancellation of student employment.

Finding On-Campus Employment

The following webpages provide student employment postings; student jobs are also advertised at various locations on campus.