Can a J-1 Visa Work Off-Campus?
The J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant status that allows foreign nationals to work in the United States for periods of time ranging from a few weeks to several years.
J-1 exchange visitors can work on-campus or off-campus, as well as in internships provided by their sponsoring program. They can also engage in academic training (AT), which involves working in a field of study or research related to their program.
On-Campus Work
On-campus work is any employment that occurs on the premises of a college or university. This includes on-campus student unions, libraries, recreational centers, and other school-related departments. Students may work up to 20 hours per week on-campus when classes are in session, and more than 40 hours during holidays and official university breaks (summer and winter).
A J-1 student must obtain written authorization from the ISSS office before engaging in on-campus employment. This permission is required before the student will be eligible to apply for a Social Security number and work in the U.S.
The University of Michigan encourages international students to gain employment during their time at U-M as it is an important part of the learning experience. The university employs a number of students, which can be found in the student unions, libraries, dining services, and other school-related departments.
However, students must be aware that working on campus without authorization is a serious violation of their legal status in the United States and could have severe consequences for their future if they attempt to return to the U.S. This is especially true if the employment occurs during a period of time when the student is not in legal immigration status, such as while applying for reinstatement to a J-1 visa or while in the process of attempting to obtain a new DS-2019 or Form I-20.
Another type of on-campus employment is Academic Training, which is an opportunity for a student to engage in practical experience that is directly related to their major field of study. In order to receive authorization for Academic Training, students must present a letter of offer from a prospective employer to their J-1 Responsible Officer or an UCIE advisor.
If your J-1 program sponsor approves the employment, a new DS-2019 will be issued that will extend your stay in the United States to include the authorized period of academic training. The length of time you are authorized for Academic Training can range from 18 months for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, to 36 months for doctoral students, whichever is shorter.
Off-Campus Work
If you are a J-1 student and wish to work off-campus, you must obtain permission in advance from your program sponsor. Your program sponsor is the institution or agency that prepared your DS-2019 form. If you are unsure about your program sponsor, see the list of sponsors in Box #2 on your DS-2019.
Students in J-1 status can work up to 20 hours per week (each week) while school is in session and full time during vacation periods with the permission of their program sponsor. This employment does not affect your academic standing or course requirements.
The primary purpose of working off-campus is to provide you with practical experience and supplement your financial resources. However, it is important to remember that working without the proper authorization is a serious violation of your non-immigrant status and can lead to deportation.
Under special circumstances, your program sponsor may authorize you to work off-campus if you are experiencing an unforeseen change in your financial status. This is known as Unforeseen Economic Hardship Work.
A request for this type of work must be submitted to ISSS with documentation to support your situation. If ISSS determines that you qualify for this authorization, the RO or ARO will issue you a letter of employment authorization.
For all other types of off-campus work, you must seek permission in advance from ISSS to begin working. This permission must be renewed each year and each academic term, and you may not exceed 20 hours of off-campus employment during the school year or more than 20 hours per week for all off-campus employment during the school vacations.
If you have a question about your eligibility to work off-campus, please contact an ISSS advisor.
There are two types of off-campus work that a J-1 student can pursue: “J-1 student employment” and “academic training.” Both are authorized by your ISSS advisor.
Generally, J-1 student employment includes jobs that are related to your coursework and enhance classroom learning. For example, you can work in a student union, a library or a recreational center.
You can also engage in off-campus work for academic purposes, such as assisting faculty or completing research. This can be a valuable resource for gaining a practical experience in your field of study, but cannot be used to meet full time tuition or living expenses.
Non-Sponsor Employer Work
Generally, J-1 visa holders can only work for their program sponsors. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, a research scholar in the J-1 category can work for a non-sponsor employer in a closely related research program for up to six months if he or she receives written approval from the original sponsor. This allows scholars to lecture and consult at institutions not listed on their IAP-66 form, which must be filed with USCIS.
In addition, many foreign students participate in the J-1 seasonal work program to gain experience working for different companies during the summer or on a break from school. Employers who work with these students need to pay them the prevailing local wage, which is typically the state or federal minimum wage.
While some employers choose to manage their own J-1 visa programs, most work with a third-party sponsorship agency. These agencies often have dedicated staff who understand the visa process and visa regulations, and can offer assistance with onboarding foreign students.
Some of these agencies are also able to offer training programs and other services. These can be helpful for employers who are new to the J-1 visa program.
A company that works with a sponsoring agency can also save time and money by taking advantage of their expertise and resources. The agency will be able to guide and advise the company on all aspects of the process. This includes identifying candidates, helping them obtain a visa, providing training on the process of obtaining a J-1 visa and assisting with paperwork. In addition, the agency can help with administrative duties and provide support while the foreign student is in the United States.
Additional Work
As a J-1 visa student, you have the opportunity to work outside of the university. This is often referred to as “academic training” and it is an excellent way to get practical experience in your field of study, but only if your university has authorized it.
Academic training can be for up to 18 months and varies by degree type. For example, a doctoral student is eligible for up to 36 months of AT, but a master’s student might only be eligible for 12 or 18.
The amount that you can earn as a J-1 visa student depends on the role that you fill and the country in which you work. Some roles are more lucrative than others. For instance, a physician will likely earn more money than a camp counselor.
One of the most common forms of additional work that a J-1 visa student can do is off-campus employment, which is sometimes called summer employment or travel exchange work. This is allowed as part of a school-sponsored program or in cases of emergency and unforeseen circumstances where the campus cannot support on-campus employment. However, it is important to note that off-campus work without authorization is a violation of your status.
The J-1 visa is also used for trainees and interns, which are allowed in most occupations and offer an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience before returning home. The only downside is that you will need to be able to afford to live in the United States for the duration of your stay. In addition, if you are working for an employer that pays you, you will likely need to pay federal income tax and state or local taxes on your earnings.
