Reporting changes to ISO
Academic Training (AT)
Students in valid J-1 status may apply for Academic Training (AT)聽through their program sponsor to pursue authorized work or training directly related to their field of study.
Academic Training is designed for students to apply knowledge and skills learned during their academic program. The work must be considered appropriate to your current degree program, as reviewed by your academic advisor and University dean.
The training may be paid or unpaid, full- or part-time, and involve sequential or simultaneous activities with several employers. However,聽all activities must be authorized prior to starting any employment聽and before the completion of your studies.
Eligibility requirements
All current J-1 students in degree or non-degree programs can apply for Academic Training to be used either during the course of study or to begin within 30 days after completion of studies.
You must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply:
- Maintain valid J-1 status聽and be in good academic standing at the sponsoring school
- Pursue training that鈥檚 directly related to your major field of study
- Obtain approval from your academic advisor and dean for all training activities
- Keep your J-1 record and DS-2019 up to date, including any necessary extensions
- Maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and J-2 dependents throughout AT
Academic Training is聽limited to a cumulative total up to 18 months聽for the duration of your J-1 status but can鈥檛 exceed the length of your聽academic program.
Applying for Academic Training
AT authorization is granted by your J-1 program sponsor, rather than by a US government agency.
For post-completion authorization, you must apply for AT聽before聽your DS-2019聽end date聽and the employment must begin within 30 days of completing your program of study.聽Do聽not begin working until you have received your AT authorization in writing.
With appropriate documentation, your聽training will be authorized in SEVIS and a new DS-2019 will be issued. Your stay will be extended for up to 18 months at a time or for the duration of the employment offer, whichever is shorter.
University-sponsored J-1 students need to provide the following documents to ISO for AT authorization.聽Please allow one week for processing.
- AT Recommendation Form (PDF): Provide information about the purpose of the proposed training activities and obtain a recommendation from your academic advisor and dean.
- Employer’s Job Offer: Obtain a detailed letter from your prospective employer on company letterhead that includes your job title, dates and location of employment, number of hours per week, salary, and the name and contact information for your training supervisor.聽This letter should also include a brief description of the 鈥済oals and objectives鈥� of your training program.
Additional processes and FAQs
Review more guidance and details below, and contact ISO with any questions.
Academic Training is聽limited to a cumulative total up to 18 months聽for the duration of your J-1 status but can鈥檛 exceed the length of your聽academic program.
Doctoral students may be eligible for an additional 18 months of post-doctoral training activities, for a total of 36 months throughout the J-1 program.
Students in non-degree programs are limited to a total stay of 24 months, inclusive of all study time and any authorized Academic Training.
Eligibility limits aren鈥檛 reset by pursuing a higher degree level. Authorized AT periods may be granted as either pre-completion or post-completion of degree requirements, but any period authorized during your studies will be deducted from the total eligibility.
Full-time and part-time (20 hours or less per week) are counted equally against the total time allowed.
While on Academic Training, you鈥檙e still considered a J-1 student under the 人妻少妇专区’s sponsorship. You must continue to comply with all J-1 regulations and reporting requirements, including reporting any changes in your information.
You can change or add employers while on Academic Training, but you must apply to ISO for聽each position with a new employer鈥檚 letter and recommendation form. You must receive written authorization for new employment from ISO聽before beginning work.