Off-Campus Employment for J-visa students
Academic Training for J-1 students
What is Academic Training?
Academic Training is off-campus work authorization for J-1 students either during or after their program of study. Students may have multiple employers and the work can be paid or unpaid. Academic training is considered full-time work, even if it is on a part-time basis.
How long is Academic Training?
The duration of Academic Training is equal to the length of study. For example, if a student completes their 4-month program of study at EMU, they are eligible for 4 months of Academic Training. Undergraduates and graduate students have an Academic Training maximum limit of 18 months. Non-degree students only have a total of 2 years, inclusive of their study at EMU and eligible Academic Training.
Eligibility
- Student must be in good academic standing
- Employment must be related to student’s major of study
- Employment must be approved before the student’s program end date on the DS-2019
- Employment must begin within 30 days after the student’s program end date on the DS-2019
Application Process
The eligible student must submit the following to OIS at least one week prior to the DS-2019 end date:
- A job offer on letterhead detailing their employment, including location, job responsibilities and dates of employment
- A support letter from the home university sponsor
