Employment and Academic Training
As a J-1 student, you are eligible for a variety of work opportunities in the United
States. However, employment without proper authorization is a serious violation of
your status. Remember that before you start any kind of employment, you must first
consult your international student advisor in the ISSS or third-party organization
that issued your DS-2019, whose written approval is necessary for advancement.
On-Campus Employment:
J-1 exchange students are eligible to work on-campus if certain criteria are met:
- The student is enrolled full-time in classes and has a valid DS-2019.
- The employment position is on the premises of Kennesaw State University.
- The total employment hours are no more than 20 hours per week. The 20-hour limit is
cumulative for all on-campus jobs but does not include any authorized Academic Training.
- The exchange student receives authorization for employment from an international student
advisor in writing before beginning employment.
If you have identified an on-campus job, please contact the ISSS for the appropriate
form that your supervisor will need to complete.
Do not begin work until you receive written authorization from the ISSS or the third-party
international student advisor!
Academic Training:
Academic Training is training related to your field of study and is an integral or
critical part of your program. Academic training can be done while you are enrolled
in courses or can begin up to 30 days after you finish your coursework. To qualify
for Academic Training, you must first obtain approval from your international student
advisor in the ISSS or third-party organization. He or she must evaluate the proposed
employment in terms of your program of study and your individual circumstances, and
then decide whether it would be appropriate or not.
-
|
To be eligible for Academic Training, you must:
- Ensure that study, not employment, is your primary purpose for your stay in the U.S.
- Be in good academic standing.
- Find training, including paid or unpaid employment positions or internships, directly
related to your major field of study in the United States.
- Maintain permission to stay in the United States. (Your DS-2019 must cover the period
of the Academic Training--apply for an extension before your program completes, if
necessary.)
- Maintain health insurance coverage.
|
-
|
Your employment may be authorized for the “length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time is approved by [both] the academic dean or advisor in the department of your major and the J-1 officer [international student advisor]."
- If your exchange was one semester you are eligible for up to four (4) months of Academic
Training.
- If your exchange program was a full year you are eligible for up to nine (9) months
of Academic Training.
- Please note: The amount of Academic Training done after completion of coursework must
be reduced by any periods of Academic Training done during your coursework.
|
-
Academic Training following completion of your program must either involve paid employment
or you must provide proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during the training
period. KSU considers sufficient funds to be at least $2000/month. |
-
- Obtain an offer letter from your prospective employer that includes your job title, a brief description of the goals and objectives of your “Training Program” (your paid or unpaid employment or internship), the dates and location of the employment, the salary, the number of hours per week, and the name and address of your training supervisor. Make sure that your employer’s letter includes all of these details, as they are required by the Department of State regulations.
- Complete the Academic Training Form and give a copy of it with your employer’s letter to your KSU academic advisor for their approval.
- Once your KSU Academic Training Form is signed by your academic advisor, you should
submit it with the offer letter to the ISSS. The ISSS must evaluate the Academic Training
program and decide whether Academic Training is warranted and appropriate. The ISSS
may also conduct a site visit of the location of your academic training. If in order,
he or she will write you a letter of approval and note your Academic Training in SEVIS.
- ***Third-party exchanges such as IREX, ISEP, or CBYX must follow the policies and
procedures of their exchange programs.
|
|
