J-1 student employment

Immigration services

J-1 students are eligible to apply for several types of employment. This employment must first be approved by the student’s embassy in written documentation. Once the student receives this approval, he/she may contact the international student advisers to determine what else is needed for the particular employment authorization requested. The international student adviser must approve all authorization before employment may begin.

On-campus work must be authorized by the international student adviser for up to 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters and up to 40 hours per week during winter and summer breaks.
Academic training is paid off-campus work, either before or after completion of studies, and must be authorized by the international student adviser. An extended visa document, DS-2019, may be necessary as well. The student must have a job offer in order to receive authorization. The maximum time for academic training is 18 months total or the student’s full course of study period in the U.S., whichever is less. Postdoctoral students may be allowed up to 36 months for bona-fide postdoctoral research.
» Download the form outlining steps for academic training
Economic hardship is employment authorized only when a student is able to document serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring J-1 student status.

Reimbursements, honoraria or per diem payments received as a guest lecturer, etc. may be allowed if these activities occur on the student’s campus and are part of the student’s authorized part-time on-campus employment, or if the student has prior written approval for academic training from the responsible officer of the student’s exchange visitor program.

Additionally, J-2 dependents — the spouse or child of a J-1 — may apply to the USCIS for permission to accept employment. USCIS usually grants employment authorization, if the application is complete when they receive it.