Employment Options for J-1 Students
 

On Campus Employment

J-1 students may work on campus part time (20 hours per week maximum) while school is in session and full time during vacation periods, with the written permission of their J-1 program sponsor. Your program sponsor is the institution or agency that prepared yourDS-2019 form. For most J-1 students, UCIE/WSU is the program sponsor.

Off Campus Employment

Academic Training

J-1 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 is available to J-1 students during the course of study and after completion of studies. As long as you stay within the stipulated time limits, academic training allows you to work part-time when classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods; and under certain conditions you may interrupt study to work full-time, for example, while you are writing a thesis. J-1 students in non degree programs are also eligible for academic training. Academic training cannot exceed 18 months in length (36 months for post-doctoral training) or "the period of full course of study" whichever is shorter.

Economic Hardship Employment

Students who experience serious unexpected financial difficulties may obtain permission from their J-1 program sponsor to work off campus.

Work Permission

Remember that working before obtaining proper authorization is a serious violation of your J-1 status that renders you illegally present in the U.S., beyond the ability of UCIE or Citizenship and Immigration Services to restore your legal status.

Employment for Dependents

Spouses and children who hold J-2 visas may accept employment only if they have applied for and received permission to do so from the Immigration Office