J-1 Student Employment

Federal immigration regulations allow J-1 students to work in the U.S. as long as they have proper authorization. All J-1 employment opportunities require prior authorizations. Before engaging in any type of work (including job training, orientations, and unpaid work), make sure ISGSS has already issued your employment authorization. 

Although working in the U.S. can be a great experience, studying and academics should remain the priority for anyone on the J-1 student visa. Working without proper employment authorization or in an unauthorized capacity is a visa status violation and may lead to SEVIS record termination. This termination would require departing the U.S. immediately and may negatively affect future visa applications or benefits. Meaning it could make you ineligible for H1B status and/or prevent you from obtaining U.S. permanent residency in the future. Examples of unauthorized employment are listed below.

The following sections provide detailed information about being lawfully employed as a J-1 student.

Email ISGSS@lewisu.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

J-1 On-Campus Employment

J-1 Students are required to get written authorization from the Responsible or Alternate Responsible Officer for their º£½ÇÉçÇø J-1 program before beginning any employment, either on-campus or off-campus. In addition to this form, a letter from the employer/department verifying your offer of employment must be submitted to ISGSS@lewisu.edu. J-1 Students may work part-time (up to 20 hours /week from all sources) while classes are in session and full-time (more than 20 hours/week) only during official breaks.

Employment authorization is valid for up to 12 months, until the expiration date on your DS-2019, or until the end date of your employment, whichever is earlier. Employment can be approved up to 12 months at a time and must be re-authorized every year. Failure to get authorization in writing from the RO/ARO in the ISGSS for initial or subsequent employment will result in an J-1 visa status violation. Once ISGSS receives your On-Campus Employment Request Form + Job Offer Letter, please allow up to 2 weeks to process the written authorization. 

Remember you cannot begin work until your authorization is approved by ISGSS. 

Fill out the J-1 On Campus Employment Request Form below. Processing time is 5-7 business days upon submission of form to ISGSS@lewisu.edu.

J-1 On-Campus Employment Request

J-1 Academic Training

Academic Training (AT) is a type of work authorization for J-1 students and it is issued by the International Student and Global Scholar Services (ISGSS). The purpose of Academic Training is to provide J-1 exchange students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in their field of study, as well as continue their cultural exchange. 

J-1 Off-Campus Academic Training (AT) allows J-1 students to work in jobs or practical training experiences directly related to their field of study, either during their program or up to 18 months after their program. It must be approved by the program sponsor (º£½ÇÉçÇø Responsible Officer / RO), and requires a job/position offer. Academic Training positions must occur primarily in-person. 

Programs that require authorization are the following:

College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS):

• Exercise Science
• Speech Language Pathology
• Nursing
• Radiography

College of Education and Social Sciences (COESS):

• Human Resources Management

Fill out the J-1 Off-Campus Academic Training Authorization Form below. Processing time is 5-7 business days upon submission of form to ISGSS@lewisu.edu.

J-1 Off-Campus Employment Application (Severe Economic Hardship)

J-1 students are eligible to request off-campus work authorization through an application to USCIS due to unforeseen financial need. This type of work authorization is called Severe Economic Economic Hardship.

This type of work authorization allows J-1 students, once approved, to work off-campus in a part-time job during the academic year, or in a full-time job during semester breaks such as summer and winter break. The job does not need to be related to the student's field of study.

There is no time limit associated with the Economic Hardship work authorization. If a student can demonstrate financial need, they are eligible to apply as long as the need exists. Economic Hardship work authorization does not affect a student's J-1 Academic Training eligibility.

To request Economic Hardship work authorization through USCIS, please schedule an appointment with Angie Maffeo Rodriguez (see info below) to discuss your situation.

Angie Maffeo Rodriguez, Ed.D. 
DSO/ Director, International Student and Global Scholar Services 
Email: arodriguez58@lewisu.edu
 

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