Employment Resources

The Form I-94 is issued to foreign visitors upon entry to the U.S. to record their dates of arrival and departure.

The I-94 record is extremely important, as it is evidence of an individual's lawful admission to the U.S. in a specific immigration status. The I-94 record indicates the type of (non-immigrant) visa category under which the individual was admitted to the country, the date and place of admission, and the length of stay authorized.

Understanding the I-94

• Admission Record Number: The number assigned to you when you enter the U.S. This number changes each time you enter the U.S.
• Class of Admission: Your visa category (example: F-1, J-1)
• Admit Until Date: The date by which you must leave the U.S.

Note: If "D/S" (Duration of Status) is listed, this means that you can stay in the U.S. as long as your Form I-20 or DS-2019 is valid. This expires when you complete your program. After the program end date, an F-1 visa holder has a 60-day grace period, and a J-1 visa holder has a 30-day grace period. During your grace period, you may stay in the U.S. while you prepare for departure. "D/S" expires when a student's status has been terminated or at the end of program completion. Be sure to consult with the OISS staff about any exceptions to avoid serious consequences that may result from being out of status.

Click here to retrieve your I-94 record

Form I-20 is issued to a student who has been admitted to a degree-granting program at a college or university. At UNH, the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) issues the I-20 after the student has been formally admitted and has provided all the necessary financial documentation required by federal regulations. The I-20 contains information about the student and indicates the planned program of study, the school to which the student must report and is valid only for the program start/end dates as listed.

The student uses the I-20 to apply for an F-1 Student Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in his/her home country. The F-1 visa permits the student to enter the U.S. in F-1 student status and report to the academic institution that issued the I-20.

On entry to the U.S., the student presents a valid foreign passport containing the F-1 visa and the I-20 to an Immigration Officer. The officer will examine the documents and may ask specific questions related to the course of study. If satisfied, the officer will admit the student to the U.S. in F-1 status and stamp the foreign passport (generating an I-94 record).

Click here to be directed to the Department of Homeland Security for more information on the Form I-20.

The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Its purpose is "to promote international educational and cultural exchange to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries".

There are many categories of exchange visitors: professors, research scholars, specialists, students, short-term scholars, interns, etc. All exchange visitors are issued a Form DS-2019, by their program sponsor, so that they can apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy in his/her home country.

On entry to the U.S., the foreign national presents a valid foreign passport, containing the J-1 visa stamp, and the DS-2019 to an Immigration Officer. The officer will examine the documents and may ask specific questions related to the program. If satisfied, the officer will admit the foreign national to the U.S. in J-1 status and stamp the foreign passport (generating an I-94 record).

To determine if a particular J-1 exchange visitor is eligible to be employed or compensated by UNH, please contact the OISS.

Click here for a more detailed description about the Form DS-2019.

Form I-797, Notice of Action, is issued as a result of an application or a petition submitted to the USCIS. Foreign nationals might have Form I-797 as a result of a request to change from one non-immigrant classification to another, or because a petition has been filed on their behalf by an employer or other entity. If the application or petition is approved by USCIS, a Form I-797 is issued to verify the approval.

The top left-hand corner of Form I-797 is imprinted with a unique number which begins with three letters, followed by 10 digits. This form also contains a description of the action requested and the name of the person or organization which filed the petition, the visa classification approved and the validity dates. The lower half of the form contains a replacement I-94 card.

The beneficiary of an approved Form I-797 for an employment-related "immigration status" is only permitted to work or receive compensation from the sponsoring employer listed on Form I-797.

A UNH employee in possession of a valid I-797 for an employment-authorized immigration status such as a J-1, H-1B, TN or O-1 does not need an additional employment authorization document  (such as an EAD card) and need only present Form I-797 and a valid picture identification for employment verification.

Click here to be directed to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for more information about the Form I-797.

Form I 9 Employment Eligibility Verification Guidance

At the top of the sheet in the upper right corner, please write your UNH ID number.

Section 1

• Last Name (Family Name)
  • Enter your last name or names (Surname) as they appear in the passport. Your last name or names should match your immigration documents such as a form I 20/DS 2019 or H1B approval notice.

• First Name (Given Name)
  •  Enter your first name or names as they appear in the passport. Your first name or names should match your immigration documents such as a form I 20/DS 2019 or H1B approval notice.

• Middle Initial (if any)
  • Generally, immigration documents do not have a middle name. If you have added all of your passport names in boxes 1 and 2, please write N/A in this box.

• Other Last Names Used (if any)
  • If you have never had any other names, please write N/A in this box.

• Address (Street Number and Name)
  • Enter your living address in this format: 123 Main St.  The order is street number then street name.

• Apt. Number (if any)
  • If you have an apartment or unit number enter it here.

• City or Town
  • Please write the town name.

• State
  • Please write the state abbreviation (NH = New Hampshire, MA = Massachusetts)

• ZIP Code
  • Please write the postal code.

• Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Please enter your date of birth with the Month first, then day then year. MM/DD/YYYY an example is: 01/25/1998.

• U.S. Social Security Number
  • If you have a social security number, write it here. If you do not, please leave this blank.

• Employee's Email Address
  • Please enter your UNH email address.

• Employee's Telephone Number
  • Please enter your mobile number if you have one. If you do not have one, please leave this blank.

• Check one of the following boxes to attest to your citizenship or immigration status (See page 2 and 3 of the instructions.):
  • Please check box 4 and at the end of the line enter the date that your work authorization expires.
    • For anyone in F1 or J1 status:
      • Please look at your entry record, Form I-94. The left side of that form, 4^th line down says: Admit Until Date. It either has a D/S or an expiration date. Write what it says at the end of the line of box 4.
    • For anyone in H 1B status:
      • Your Form I-797 Notice of Action (H-1B Approval Notice) has an expiration date if your form I 94 does not.

• If you check Item Number 4., enter one of these:
  • Please enter only ONE number. (Usually individuals enter Form I-94 Admission Number.)

• Signature of Employee
  • Please write your signature, the way you sign your name on official documents.

• Today's Date (mm/dd/yyyy)
  • Please enter today’s date using Month/Day/Year format. An example is: 04/01/2024.

Form W 4 Employee’s Withholding Certificate Guidance paper version

At the top of the sheet in the upper right corner, please write your UNH ID number.

Step 1

1. FIRST NAME: Enter your first name or names as they appear in the passport. Your first name or names should match your immigration documents such as a form I 20/DS 2019 or H1B approval notice.

LAST NAME: Enter your last name or surname or names as they appear in the passport. Your surname or last name or names should match your immigration documents such as a form I 20/DS 2019 or H1B approval notice.

2. If you have a social security number, enter it in this box. If you do not yet have a social security number (SSN) please write: Applied For

ADRESS: On the first line enter your living address in this format: 123 Main St, Apt/Unit A.  This means street number, street name and if you have an apartment or unit enter after the street name. In the second address line please write the town name, state abbreviation (NH = New Hampshire, MA = Massachusetts) and the postal code.

3. If you are an F1 or J1 student or scholar status, you must check the first box: Single or Married filing separately.

If you hold H 1B/TN or other status you may check the appropriate box for your situation.

Step 4: Under the line 4c in the open space:

For F1 students:

1. If you have been in the United States for less than a total of five (5) years you will write Non-Resident Alien in this area.

For J1 exchange visitors in any status:

2. If you have been in the United States for less than a total of two (2) years, you will write Non-Resident Alien in this area.

*If you are in a different visa status and do not meet the rules above please refer to the IRS’s physical presence test; https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-individuals to determine if you need to add any statement in this area.

Step 5:

Please put your signature on the line. Write it the way you sign your name on official documents.

Please enter today’s date using Month/Day/Year format. An example is: 04/01/2024.

Exemption From Withholding on Compensation for Independent (and Certain Dependent) Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual

To claim an exemption from U.S. Income Tax under a tax treaty between the U.S. and your country, you must complete Form 8233 (see instructions).  You must also complete and attach a statement which describes why you are eligible for an exemption under the tax treaty.

See sample forms and statements below:

Sample Completed Form 8233 for employee (teacher/researcher)

• Pub 519 - Appendix B - Statements for Teachers & Researchers

Sample Completed Form 8233 for employee (student)

• Pub 519 - Appendix A - Statements for Students

Tax treaty information is available online at IRS Publication 901 U.S. Tax Treaties.

Note the following questions should be answered as follows on Form 8233:

14. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from withholding claimed on line 12 and/or line 13: Write in the following: "I am a legal permanent resident of (name of country) and I am eligible to claim exemption from withholding based on the tax treaty between the US and (name of country for which you are claiming benefits)".

15. Number of personal exemptions you are claiming: Leave blank.

16. How many days will you perform services in the US during this tax year? Leave blank.

17. Daily personal exemption amount claimed: Leave blank.

18. Total personal exemption amount claimed: Leave blank.

How to Submit Form 8233

In order to apply for tax treaty benefits, you must complete Form 8233 correctly and attach:

• a letter or statement describing your eligibility for the tax treaty exemption (See IRS Pub 519, Appendix A & B)
• a copy of your most recent Form I-20, DS-2019, or I-797
• a copy of your most recent I-94 record,
• a copy of your most recent U.S. visa,
• a copy of your passport ID page,
• a copy of your most recent award letter (e.g. Assistantships, Scholarships, etc.)

These documents should be submitted to the OISS. We will review the documents and then forward them to the UNH Payroll Office.

It is the responsibility of the UNH Payroll Office to review your form and accompanying documents. UNH Payroll will fax your application to the Internal Revenue Service, which makes the final determination on your eligibility. It takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks from the time you complete the forms until the information is entered into the payroll system. Please be patient while your information is verified and computed.

If after 4 weeks, taxes are still being taken out of your paycheck, please contact the Payroll Office at (603) 862-1400.

To be employed in the United States, you must have a U.S. Social Security number. This number is issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration. You must file an application with the local Social Security Office to receive this number.

Instructions for Completing the Social Security Application Form

Follow the instructions on the application form but note the following exceptions:

If you are a student, in part 16, "Mailing Address," write c/o Office of International Students and Scholars, UNH, Conant Hall 315, 10 Library Way, Durham, NH 03824-3597, if it doesn't already indicate this. Please do not use your own local mailing address.

If you are a scholar, faculty or staff member, you may use your local mailing address, your department address, or the OISS address.

In part 3, "Citizenship," check the box marked "Legal Alien Allowed to Work". (Note: neither eligibility for a social security number nor possession of a social security card gives you actual authorization to work. Students should always check with the OISS before accepting any type of employment. International scholars, faculty and staff should also consult with the OISS if they are considering accepting any additional employment. It is a serious violation of your visa status to work in the U.S. without the proper employment authorization and could be cause for revocation of your visa.

It will take approximately 2-4 weeks for your Social Security Card to arrive. If you have given the OISS as your local address, we will notify you when the card arrives.

How to Apply for a Social Security Number

Go in person to the nearest Social Security Office.

Please look up the nearest Social Security Office to you. Please note, most offices are currently requiring appointments to be made in advance.

Social Security Office Locator

• Durham zip code: 03801
• Concord zip code: 03301
• Manchester zip code: 03101

Social Security Administration
Phone: (888) 397-9796
General Information (800) 772-1213

Social Security Website

Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens

You must present the following documents:

• application for a social security card
• your valid passport
• your Form I-94 (Record of Arrival and Departure)
• your original Form I-20 or DS-2019
• your assistantship letter, if applicable (students) or your offer of employment and INS Form I-797 (scholars, faculty and staff)
• certification letter from OISS (Form for F-1 students verifying your eligibility for a Social Security Number)
• valid EAD (J-2 dependents only)

Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number

Note for Canadians: A Canadian number is not interchangeable with a U.S. number. You should not list your Canadian number where a U.S. social security number is requested. Believe it or not, it does happen, and individuals can get their paychecks delayed, or have other difficulties - especially when their Canadian number matches another individual's U.S. number.

F-1 Student SSN Certification Letter

Form W-7 - application for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Form W-7 Instructions

Foreign nationals who are not authorized to work in the United States because of the type of visa status they hold, are not eligible to receive social security numbers. (This includes all spouses and dependents on F-2 visas as well as those individuals in B visa status.)

Individuals who are not eligible for social security numbers may apply instead for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is available from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which also has a branch office in the Federal Building in Portsmouth. An application for an ITIN is made on IRS Form W-7.

We strongly recommend that you have your dependents apply for the ITIN if they are not eligible for a social security number since a taxpayer ID number must be indicated on your U.S. income tax return which you must file each year. (See the section on taxes for more information on income tax returns.)