J-1 Academic Training
Many J-1 students will have the opportunity or desire to engage in off-campus employment related to their academic program. Students may be eligible to engage in Academic Training while still enrolled (part-time during classes or full-time during the vacation periods) or may wish to wait until after they graduate or submit their thesis to begin. J-1 students are generally eligible for up to 18 months of Academic Training (it is not pro-rated for half-time) and an extension of a second period of 18 months is possible for post-doctoral positions.
J-1 students must not begin any on/off-campus Academic Training until it has been authorized in the SEVIS system by an OIS advisor and written authorization issued to the student. Authorization is restricted to a particular position, company, location, and time period – so a specific job offer is required before Academic Training can be approved. This is unlike students in F-1 status who may apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training without receiving a job offer first. J-1 students must also obtain the recommendation of their academic advisor (DGP and Committee Chair for graduate students)..
Other restrictions or requirements:
- Positions must be commensurate with the level of education
- Training periods may not exceed the statutory limit (18 months) or the length of time the student was engaged in full-time coursework (if shorter)
- Academic Training must be approved in SEVIS before the student completes the academic program and/or the DS-2019 expires
- Academic Training positions must not be permanent positions, clinical positions (or those with patient care or contact), tenure-track positions, clerical or unskilled positions, etc.,
- Students on Academic Training are still required to maintain adequate health insurance for themselves and all dependent family members
- Students on Academic Training are required to inform OIS immediately if they change their address, change their name, change their employment status (lose their job), change their nonimmigrant visa status, complete their program and/or return to their home country,
- Any extension request, change in site of activity, or change of employer/position/salary request must be directed to OIS and approved in SEVIS before a change is made
J-1 students interested in applying for Academic Training, must submit a request
in the OIS HelpDesk system before graduation and before the expiration of the DS-2019. The request will entered
into the tracking system, acknowledged through an email, and further instructions and the necessary forms will sent to the student. When the necessary
documents (copy of the offer letter and Faculty Recommendation) are returned to OIS through the HelpDesk system
and reviewed, the OIS advisor will update the student’s SEVIS record, issue a new Form DS-2019 and Academic Training Authorization Letter to the
student.
In order to accept salary or wage payment from U.S.-based source, it is necessary to obtain a Social Security Number.
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