Eligibility

A J1 student is allowed to engage in employment related to his/her major if s/he meets the following conditions. The student:

has primarily come to the U.S. to study, not to work
will engage in employment directly related to his/her major field of study
has completed all coursework required for the degree OR will work only during vacation periods or only part-time (20 hours/week) if still attending class
will maintain health insurance coverage while working
will obtain written Academic Training permission from his/her Responsible Officer (RO)

Procedures

Obtain a letter of offer from your employer that includes ALL of these details:

job title
a brief description of the goals and objectives of your employment
the dates and location of the employment
the number of hours per week
name and address of the training supervisor

Give a copy of your employer's letter to your academic advisor or dean for use in filling out the Academic Training Request.
Give the completed employer's letter and the completed Academic Training Request form to your ISSP J-visa advisor so she can write the student a letter of authorization. You are NOT allowed to work without this authorization letter.

Time Limitations for Academic Training

Academic Training employment may not exceed the period of full course of study or 18 months, whichever is shorter. However, if you receive a Ph.D. and acquire a bona fide post-doctoral training position, you are allowed a maximum of 36 months of Academic Training. Part-time Academic Training counts against the amount of full-time employment available. For example, if you are on a 12 month academic program, then you are eligible for 12 months of Academic Training. If you use 6 months of part-time Academic Training before you finished your academic program, then you only have 6 months of full-time Academic Training left after the academic program. Earning more than one degree does not increase your eligibility for Academic Training.

Academic Training After Completion of Program

The beginning date of the Academic Training must be the day after the student's graduation OR the end date on the DS-2019 if the student isn't graduating from the institution. The actual date that the student begins work can be any date that reflects the reality of the workplace. Any time not worked during the Academic Training period is time lost; it cannot be saved for later.