Employment

J-1 Academic Training

F-1/J-1 students

What is Academic Training 

Academic Training is an off-campus authorization for work or training (internship). J-1 students must receive a written approval in advance from the ISSC Alternate/Responsible Officer for a specific work or training position. Below is information to see if your position is eligible:

  • Position may be paid or unpaid. 

  • May be part-time or full-time.

  • Must be done with a specific employer or training site (ISSC Alternate/Responsible Officer approved). 

  • Students may have several employers at a time or change employers as long as all are in the field of study, and each employment or training is authorized by the ISSC Alternate/Responsible Officer.

  • May be during the study or after completion of degree program.


Eligibility Requirements

  • You must maintain immigration status and have valid immigration documents (passport, I-94, and DS-2019).

  • You have completed at least one semester and must be in good academic standing.

  • You must maintain valid health insurance (including J-2 dependents, if applicable) throughout the authorized Academic Training period.

  • You must receive an offer for work or training prior to applying for Academic Training authorization.

  • The proposed work or training must meet the eligibility criteria.
     

The criteria of work or training that meet the Academic Training eligibility requirements are:

  • Must be related to your field of study as listed on your DS-2019.

  • Must not be an unskilled occupation as defined by the U.S. Department of State. 

  • Must start no later than 30 days after degree completion date (for Academic Training after completing a degree program).


Duration and Time Limitations

You can participate in Academic Training for 18 months or for a period equal to the length of a degree program, whichever is shorter. For students with post-doctoral positions, Academic Training duration can be extended up to a total of 36 months.

  • Part-time Academic Training is counted as full-time (i.e., 2-month of part-time Academic Training is equal to 2-month of full-time Academic Training).

  • Any previously approved Academic Training during your studies will be deducted from the total amount of Academic Training after you complete your program.  

How to apply

Maintaining J-1 Status During Academic Training

During your authorized Academic Training period, you are required to maintain your J-1 status by doing the following:

  • Fulfill job description and responsibilities and Academic Training goals and objectives.

  • Maintain valid health insurance (the minimum requirement is listed on the second page of your DS-2019), and submit the proof, including coverage start date and end date, explanation of benefits, or lists of coverages, through the ISSC eForm.

  • Update your local address through MyASU within 10 days of the change.

  • Report any changes regarding the location of work or new work address within the same employer to the ISSC at least 10 days before the change.

  • If you wish to change employers during your AT period, you need to obtain authorization from the ISSC at least 10 days prior to the change or end date of current employment. You must also submit the Academic Training evaluation eForm for the previous job along with the new AT request documents to the ISSC.

  • Travel while on AT will require that you have a valid passport, valid J-1 visa, employer letter, and your most current DS-2019 with valid travel signature.

  • At the end of your AT, complete Academic Training Evaluation eForm.