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J-1 Student Employment Options
J-1 Student Academic Training

Academic training is designed to allow J-1 students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. Academic training should be directly related to his or her major field of study at the post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on his or her Form DS-2019 (note: refer to the Subject/Field code on Form DS-2019). It is available for full or part-time employment to those in both degree and non-degree programs. Academic training can be paid or unpaid, and can be used before or after the completion of the academic program.

  • Your J-1 Program Sponsor and Responsible Officer
    • To receive academic training authorization, you must apply to your J-1 Responsible or Alternate Responsible Officer (RO/ARO), who represents your J-1 sponsor and issues your Form DS-2019. The RO/ARO must evaluate the proposed employment to determine whether it can be authorized. 
    • If Penn is your J-1 sponsor, your RO/ARO is one of the advisors in International Student and Scholar Services(ISSS). 
    • If your program is sponsored by another institution, ISSS can help direct you to the RO/ARO at your institution.
  • Eligibility

  • To be eligible for academic training, you must meet the following conditions:

    • You must be in valid J-1 status and in good academic standing at the school named on your Form DS-2019.
    • Academic training must be done with a specific employer/training site.
    • The proposed employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
    • Written approval must be obtained in advance for the duration and type of academic training.
    • If your post-completion academic training will be unpaid, you must prove you have adequate financial support for yourself and
    • J-2 dependents if any.
  • Duration of Academic Training

  • The duration of academic training depends on the type and duration of your academic program. Check with ISSS about your specific situation.
     

    General limits which apply to all students:
    • Under any circumstances, the duration of academic training may not exceed the length of the academic program.
    • Part-time and full-time academic training are counted the same against the total time allowed. Part-time academic training is not counted at half the rate of full-time.
    • Academic training used before completion of the academic program is deducted from the total time available.
    • Academic training should commence no later than 30 days after completion of his or her studies.  So, the employment offer start date should be fall before the grace period end date.
       
    Specific limits include:
    • Non-degree students: Example: An exchange student enrolled for one semester may be granted academic training for the equivalent time of his/her studies. Total J-1 program time for non-degree students is limited to 24 months, including both study and academic training time.
    • Degree students: Academic training is normally limited to a maximum of 18 months.
    • PhD students: Academic training may be available for 36 months for “postdoctoral training” positions. Please see ISSS to discuss the criteria.
  • Application Process and Deadlines
    • You must receive academic training authorization before beginning employment, including any related orientation or training.
    • For post-completion academic training authorization, you must apply to ISSS before your program completion date or the end date on your DS-2019, whichever is earlier (although employment may begin later but no later than 30 days after completion).  
    • Submit your Academic Training electronic form in iPenn at. After you log in with your Pennkey, you will find "AT Request" under Student Services in the left menu.
    • Assuming you meet the requirements for academic training, the RO/ARO will issue a letter authorizing your employment for a specified period of time along with an updated DS-2019 form.  Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.  During the peak / high-volume period, processing may take longer.
  • Travel Abroad and Reentry
    • If you plan to leave the US after completing your program of study and reenter the US for J-1 academic training, you must apply for work authorization with your RO/ARO before you leave.   Refer to the Application Process page.
    • If you leave the US before applying for academic training, you have relinquished your ability to return to the US in J-1 student status and obtain academic training work authorization.
    • A valid travel signature on your DS-2019 and valid visa stamp are required to reenter the US while on Academic Training. 
    • Consult your RO/ARO for more information about travel on Academic Training.
  • Failure to Comply with Employment Regulations
    • It is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations which apply to J-1 students, including employment regulations. 
    • Working without proper authorization is a serious violation of your student status. 
    • If you fail to comply with your responsibilities, you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to J-1 students and, in some situations, may be subject to deportation.
    • Prior to accepting any employment in the US, we strongly urge you to consult with ISSS.

Important Considerations

  • Any changes in terms and conditions of the authorized academic training must be reviewed and approved by ISSS in advance and in writing.
  • Please let us know if your dependents are in the US. They will also require updated DS-2019s.
  • ISSS is required to report in SEVIS any address changes for University-sponsored students, so you must continue to update your local address and other contact information in Penn InTouch (or email changes to ) while on academic training.
  • Throughout your period of academic training, you must maintain permission to stay in the US in J-1 student status and apply for extensions as necessary.
  • You must maintain adequate health insurance coverage (per the US Department of State) for yourself and any J-2 dependents throughout your academic training period.