• It is MANDATORY all new international students attend the International Student Orientation
during the new student orientation prior to the start of fall classes.
• Refer to the International Student Page on the CIM website for more information.
• Each semester, CIM will require completion of a Country of Residence for Tax Purposes Form to
ensure CIM is treating any possible payments, awards, prizes, and federal reporting obligations
correctly. Schools need to correctly categorize international students as resident or nonresident
aliens, per the IRS Substantial Presence Test. See IRS Topic No. 850 Resident and Nonresident
Aliens for more details on this subject.
• Students with a spouse or dependent coming with them to CIM via the student’s F-1 visa will also
be required to document an additional $5,000 USD per person, for the mandatory I-20 funding
documentation requirement.
• If at any time during your CIM enrollment, you obtain a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN), you
must provide that legal number to the CIM Registrar’s Office and the CIM Financial Aid Office.
Generally, we must see your actual signed, Social Security Card. Similarly, if you obtain Permanent
Lawful Resident status (green card), CIM must be notified and provided with your Alien
Registration number.
• Students from Canada: Never use your Canada Social Insurance Number when a U.S. form asks
for a Social Security Number. They are not interchangeable.
Tax filing requirements for international students
• Every international student, along with their dependents, will need to file Form 8843 separately.
• If you have received income in the last calendar year then you will need to file Form 8843 and
most likely Form 1040-NR also.
• Students may have additional filing requirements for state and local tax authorities.
While CIM cannot provide tax advice, the links below better explain these regulations:
• IRS - Foreign Students, Scholars - Who Must File
• EDUPass Filing Taxes as an International Student
• International Students Learn About Filing Taxes
Employment regulations for F-1 students: Refer to this federal webpage for more employment
regulations for F-1 visa students: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/working-in-the-united-states:
➢ Working in the United States - The U.S. government takes working illegally very seriously. If you
decide to work, the first step is always to talk with your designated school official (DSO).If your DSO
knows you are working without permission, your DSO must report it through SEVIS and your record
can be terminated. That means that you will have to leave the United States immediately, and you
may not be allowed to return. There are many opportunities to work and getting permission is easy.
➢ On-Campus Employment - As an F-1 student in Active status, you immediately have an option for one
kind of work: on-campus employment. However, there are some things to keep in mind. Although you
may work shortly after you arrive, you must be in Active status and your DSO must approve your
request. After your DSO approves your request, you'll be given a letter of approval. This letter, along
with a letter from your employer, will help you get a Social Security number. When school is in session,
you may only work 20 hours per week. **CIM note, this does not mean all F-1 students can get a job