INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS (J-1)

• Immigration Check-in is required with the Office of International Services (OIS) for all new J-1 scholars and takes place via Microsoft Teams during regular advising hours.  If you have questions, email j1visa@usf.edu.
  This check-in MUST take place before completing new hire paperwork.

• Two business days after the Immigration Check-in with OIS, scholars must make an appointment with the local Social Security Administration office to apply for a card (if they do not yet possess a Social Security card).  At the SSA appointment, the scholar will receive a receipt letter which will be used, along with all required work authorization documents, to complete their new hire paperwork with Human Resources/RightStart.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (F-1/J-1)

• After arrival in the US, Immigration Check-in is required with the Office of International Services (OIS) for all new international students and takes place via Microsoft Teams. The student attends this Virtual Check in at set times.  For process and times go to https://www.usf.edu/world/international-services/before-you-arrive/document-check.aspx . If you have questions, email globullstart@usf.edu.  A schedule of check-in times is communicated prior to the start of every semester through iStart.
• Once the student has completed check-in and all immigration documents have been verified, the student must make an appointment with the local Social Security Administration office to apply for a card (if they do not yet possess a Social Security card).  At the SSA appointment, the scholar will receive a receipt letter which will be used, along with all required work authorization documents, to complete new hire paperwork with Human Resources/RightStart.
• Please note that students holding a J-1 visa are also required to have a work authorization letter from International Services.

Other Visa Status (TN, H1-B)

• Should have met all work authorization requirements prior to preboarding.
• Must have a receipt letter from the Social Security Administration (or Social Security card), as well as all required documents proving identity and work eligibility.

General Information

• During the preboarding process, new hires will receive emails from RightStart with instructions to complete hire paperwork, as well as a Preboarding Journey in Oracle. These steps are required in order to be added to USF systems and payroll.  
• Hires may not begin working until cleared with HR Preboarding team (you will receive a Next Steps email indicating status).
• As soon as an employee receives his/her permanent Social Security card (which should take no more than 90 days) he/she will amend their original I-9 and upload to a secure HR portal provided by RightStart so that record can be updated with the permanent Social Security number.

All new employees are required to attend preboarding on or before their first day of employment. 

In order to help you through this process, please be prepared to:

• Provide documentation that establishes your employment eligibility to work in the U.S. (in accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986). View the I-9 form that will identify acceptable documents.
• Provide your passport, I-9 form, visa and appropriate immigration support documents based on visa class, if you are a foreign national.
• When you have completed all of your paperwork in HR, you should report as instructed in your offer letter.

An employee who left employment with USF for more than one year, is treated as a new hire and must complete new hire paperwork prior to starting work. If an employee has been separated from the university for less than one year, the department may appoint him/her by completing an Appointment Status Form and attaching the signed offer letter. Once the rehiring process is completed and updated in Oracle HR, the employee may access Self Service to update their personal information.