J-1 Academic Training

Eligibility 

• Valid for students maintaining J-1 status and in good academic standing. 
• Must have job offer from a specific employer (no self-employment). 
• Employment must be related to a major field of study as indicated on DS-2019. 
• For unpaid post-completion AT, proof of financial support is required. 
• ISSS must approve AT request prior to undertaking any employment. 

• Cannot exceed the period of time you spend in your academic program in J-1 student status. Your J-1 status begins on your arrival date or program start date, whichever is later.  
• Part-time and full-time AT count equally against the total time. 
• Pre-completion AT activity must be for 20 or less hours per week while school is in session. 
• Exception is made for Doctorate students who have completed all requirements except for their dissertation. 
• Post-Completion AT activity: Hours worked can exceed 20 hours per week.

Specific Limits

• Non-degree students: Limited to the duration of the academic program. 
• Bachelor’s Degree students: 18 months or the length of the academic program, whichever is shorter.  
• Master’s Degree students: 18 months or the length of the academic program, whichever is shorter. 
• PhD students: Initially 18 months with the possibility to extend up to a total of 36 months. 

STEM AT Extension

Bachelors and master’s students in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) may be eligible to extend for more than 18 months of Academic Training provided they meet the following criteria: 

• You are enrolled in a degree program. Non-degree students are not eligible for this extension. 
• Your academic program must be included in this government list of STEM extension eligible programs. Your “CIP” code is on your DS-2019 in section 4 under “Subject/Field Code”. 

Students who meet the above criteria can request up to 36 months of AT or the length of their academic program, whichever is shorter. Learn more about this initiative here.  

Receive an Offer Letter 

Obtain a copy of your official offer letter on the company letterhead that is signed by the prospective employer. A photocopy is acceptable. The letter should include: 

• the employer’s name 
• full address 
• position title 
• dates of employment 
• funding/salary (if applicable) 
• job duties. 
  • No mention of full-time remote work should appear in offers of employment as full-time emote work cannot be approved for Academic Training. 
  • Activity must be for 20 or less hours per week while school is in session. 
    • Exception is made for Doctorate students who have completed all requirements except for their dissertation.  

Submit AT E-form in iPenn 

• Log in to iPenn with your PennKey and find “Academic Training Request” under Student Services. 

Academic Advisor Approval 

• Your Penn academic advisor will be sent instructions to access iPenn and submit an online statement that explains how the prospective employment relates to your field of study.  The online statement from the advisor must answer the following points: 
  • The goals and objectives of the specific academic training program; 
  • A description of the academic training program 
  • How the academic training relates to the student’s major field of study; and 
  • Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the student.  

ISSS Approval 

• If approved, ISSS will issue an Academic Training Authorization letter and updated DS-2019 form. Processing takes approximately 3-5 business days. Submit requests at least 3 weeks in advance. 

Pre-completion AT (before graduation)

• Submit at least 3 weeks before the requested start date of your AT position. 
• Processing takes 3-5 business days if all AT requirements are met. 

Post-completion AT (after graduation)

• Submit at least 3 weeks before your DS-2019 expiration and/or academic program end date; whichever is earlier. 
• Failure to submit your request prior to your program end date may result in the completion of your SEVIS record. All Academic Training Requests must be processed before your program ends and/or your DS-2019 form expires; whichever is earlier. 
• Post-completion AT employment must begin within 30 days after your program completion. 
• Processing takes approximately 3-5 business days if all AT requirements are met. 

Travel Abroad & Re-Entry

• If you plan to leave the US after completing your program of study and re-enter for AT, you must apply for work authorization with your RO/ARO before you leave.  
• If you leave the US before applying for AT, you have relinquished your ability to return to the US in J-1 student status and may no longer apply for AT. 
• To re-enter the US while on AT, you need a valid visa and DS-2019 endorsed for re-entry by ISSS within the past year. 
• Consult your RO/ARO for more information about travel on Academic Training.  

Department of State Restrictions on Hybrid/Remote Work

Per Department of State Guidance Directive 2023-01 J-1 exchange visitors in the research scholar, professor, short-term scholar categories and J-1 Students on Academic Training must engage in their activities at the site of employment in-person a minimum of 60% of the time. This means that you may work remotely no more than 40% of your regular work hours (a maximum of 2 out of 5 regular work days per week).  No mention of full-time remote work should appear in offers of employment as the activity will not be approved for Academic Training.  

Additional Considerations

• Submit extension requests at least one month before the current AT authorization expires. 
• Any changes in AT terms must be approved by ISSS in advance. 
• Update ISSS with any address changes. 
• Maintain J-1 status and health insurance coverage for yourself and J-2 dependents throughout AT.