Employment Authorization

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation requires all employees—citizens, residents, and nonresidents—to complete Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. Employees are not allowed to work in the United States until the Form I-9 is completed and properly documented.

The University of Minnesota has an online I-9 process and participates in e-Verify. U.S. residents and international students and scholars must present documentation to their collegiate or administrative unit to complete the online I-9. For nonresident foreign national employees, here are some of the most common visa types and type of documentation needed to demonstrate employment authorization.

F-1 visa type: Passport, Form I-20 issued for the University of Minnesota, and Form I-94 received from Immigration and Naturalization Service at the port of entry.

J-1 visa type: Passport, Form DS2019 authorized for work at the University of Minnesota, and Form I-94 received from Immigration and Naturalization Service at the port of entry.

H-1B—Temporary Professional visa type: Passport, Form I-797 issued for the University of Minnesota, and a Form I-94 received from the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

TN-Trade NAFTA visa type: Identity document (such as driver's license or passport if from Canada; if from Mexico, a passport is required), a Form I-94 received for Immigration and Naturalization Service at the port of entry, and a hire letter from the University of Minnesota.

For more detailed information concerning visa types, their specific requirements, and DHS regulations, see the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.