Immigration Advising


J-1: Employment

On-Campus Employment
J-1 students may engage in employment if: 1. Student is in good academic standing; 2. Student continues to engage in a full course of study while school is in session; 3. The ARO/RO (ISSS advisor or program sponsor) has approved the specific employment in advance and in writing. On campus employment is defined as employment which occurs on KU campus. Positions include teaching assistantships, research assistantships, some fellowships, and hourly employment (Food Services, Library, etc).

J-1 students are eligible to work on campus a maximum of 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring academic semesters. During semester breaks, official school vacation days, and summer vacation, J-1 students are eligible to work full-time on campus. A student who has a valid DS-2019 and intends to enroll for next regular term may work on-campus incident to status.

Please note that on-campus employment is not permitted after completion of a degree program unless the student has been issued a DS-2019 to begin a new academic program or has been granted Academic Training.

Academic Training (AT)
Academic Training is work, training, or experience related to a student's field of study. Training may be paid or unpaid, with several employers, U.S. or foreign employer, involving sequential or simultaneous activities as long as approval procedures are followed for each employer and the time limits are not exceeded.

Students in degree programs are permitted an overall limit of 18 months, includes all academic training, whether before or after completion of studies. The total training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in full course of study. The overall limit is 36 months for postdoctoral training after completion of a U.S. PhD degree. A new DS-2019 must be issued for the second 18 months.

The following criteria must be met by the student:

  • Must be in good academic standing
  • Must be in the U.S. primarily to study rather than engage in academic training.
  • Academic training must be done with a specific employer or training site and be directly related to the major field of study listed on DS-2019
  • Must receive written approval in advance from an ISSS advisor for the duration and type of academic training.

When to Apply for Academic Training
A student may request work authorization at any time during the academicprogram or within thirty days after the completion of studies. The employment must be authorized no later than 30 days after the date studies are completed;however, the employment does not need to begin within 30 days of finishing school. For example, if degree is completed May 17, but job does not begin until August 1, then AT authorization needs to be obtained by June 16. How to Apply Consult your J-1 program sponsor. Your sponsor must authorize academic training in writing. The following procedure is for students sponsored by The University of Kansas:
  1. Complete Section A of the Academic Training Recommendation form. Have your academic advisor or dean complete Section B.
  2. Schedule an appointment with an ISSS advisor. Allow 30-45 minutes for the appointment. Take to the appointment your: (1) completed Academic Training Recommendation form, (2) current DS-2019, (3)evidence of financial support if an extension is needed, and (4) proof of health insurance.
  3. During the appointment, the ISSS advisor will verify your status and review the recommendation form. If the ISSS advisor approves the AT, he/she will provide you with written authorization and/or new DS-2019 if an extension is needed. The written authorization from the ISSS advisor is your official academic training authorization document.

While on academic training, you are required to maintain your J-1 status, including having health insurance coverage for you and any J-2 dependents here in the U.S.

Economic Hardship
Off-campus employment may be possible because of serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances arising since acquiring exchange visitor status. Student must be in good academic standing; continues to engage in a full course of study while school in session, and sponsored by KU.

How to Apply

  • Make sure you are eligible for off-campus employment;
  • Write a letter requesting off-campus work authorization due to economic necessity. Explain the serious, urgent, and unforeseen circumstances which have arisen;
  • Make an appointment to meet with an ISSS advisor. Bring to the appointment: (1) completed letter; (2) DS-2019; and (3) passport; visa, I-94 card;
  • The ISSS advisor will verify your J-1 status. Should he/she approves the off-campus work authorization, he/she will issue a J-1 Student Employment Authorization Form stating the dates and conditions of your employment. The J-1 Student Employment Authorization Form for Econcomic Hardship is your official work authorization document for you to keep. Your employer may require a copy of it for their records.
  • You may begin employment only after the ISSS advisor has approved the specific employment in writing. The approval is valid up to twelve months, but is automatically withdrawn if the student's program is terminated.

Work is limited to 20 hours per week when class is in session. You may work more than 20 hours per week during official school breaks and vacation periods.