J-1 Employment Authorization
Eligibility
J-1 students are allowed to engage in employment related to their major if they meet the following conditions. The student:
- has primarily come to the U.S. to study, not to work
- will engage in employment directly related to their 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 their Responsible Officer (RO)
Procedures
1. 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
2. Give a copy of your employer's letter to your academic advisor or dean for use in filling out the Academic Training Request.
3. Give the completed employer's letter and the completed Academic Training Request form to your ISSS J-visa advisor so they 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.
Students holding J-1 visa status may work in the United States, both on and off-campus, but may only do so with written permission from their visa sponsor. The following information describes policies and procedures for individuals who have J-1 visa sponsorship from Georgia State University (the DS-2019 must have been issued by Georgia State). If your visa sponsor is not Georgia State University—for example, IIE—you must obtain authorization directly from that sponsor. Our office cannot authorize employment for a student not sponsored by Georgia State.
Three General Categories of J-1 Employment
On-campus Employment
Employment is limited to 20 hours per week (including assistantships) during the school year, full-time during summer and vacation periods. You must obtain a social security number before you will be able to complete the human resources paperwork needed to be working at Georgia State University.
Off-campus Employment Based on Unanticipated Economic Necessity
Like it sounds, this authorization is given to students who find themselves in unforeseen economic hardship. Employment is limited to 20 hours per week (including assistantships) during the school year, full-time during summer and vacation periods. To apply you will need to meet with a J-1 advisor and should be prepared to submit a brief written statement explaining the circumstances that led you to seek employment based on economic necessity as well as copies of immigration documents and the immigration processing fee.
Academic Training
Academic Training (ATR) is defined as work experience directly related to your academic program at Georgia State.
Time Limitations
ATR may be undertaken either during or after your program of study (or both). In general, ATR may be authorized for a maximum of 18 months, or a period equal to the program of study, whichever is less.
The only exception is for students who complete a doctoral degree and plan to pursue post-doctoral training under the supervision of an academic institution. In this case, a maximum period of 36 months is permitted. Note that these time limits are cumulative, meaning that any ATR conducted prior to the completion of study will be deducted from the allowable time and only months remaining may be used following the completion of a degree.
Part-time/Full-time
In general, ATR may only be conducted part-time during the school year, full-time during vacation periods. Exceptions include:
- graduate students who have completed all coursework for the degree and plan to conduct ATR that will assist them in the development of their thesis/dissertation
- undergraduate students who conduct internships that are required of their program or for which they will receive credit
Application Time Frame
If you are applying for ATR following the completion of your degree, you must apply by the last day in the term of your completion of studies.
Application Procedures
1. Submit the following to a Foreign Student Advisor:
3. DS-2019, passport, I-94 card
For exchange students only:
- You must apply for your ATR no later than 30 days after the last day of final exams.
- Remember that you may only be authorized a period of ATR equivalent to the period of your exchange program at Georgia State.
- Instead of submitting the attached Faculty Member's Statement, you must present a letter from your home university confirming that the proposed job is related to your field of studies and recommending that you be allowed to accept this opportunity.