J-1 Student Employment

On-Campus Employment International students can work on-campus up to 50% time (20 hours/week or less) during the academic terms and full-time during the academic break periods including summer time. Special authorization is not required to work on-campus as long as you are in valid J-1 student status sponsored by UCSB and pursuing a full course of study. On-campus employment is employment engaged in at UCSB such as a teaching or research assistantship, employment in the University Center, library aide, etc. Generally speaking, this means that you will be receiving a paycheck from this university.

NOTE:

• Please note that when you complete your study program you are no longer eligible to be employed on-campus without special authorization -- i.e., academic training.
• J-1 students whose DS-2019 was issued by another program other than UCSB (i.e., Fulbright or IIE, Agency for International Development) must contact the program sponsor for on-campus employment authorization.

Off-Campus Employment

Employment off-campus requires some form of authorization. This authorization will depend upon the type of employment and your situation. A student in J-1 immigration service status may be authorized to engage in off-campus employment if:

1. Such employment is required by an urgent financial need which has arisen since acquiring J-1 status
2. It does not cause the participant to reduce preparation and studies below the full-time level
3. It has the written approval of the program sponsor signed by the responsible or alternate officer. The employment authorization is limited to part-time (20 hours/week) while school is in session, and full-time during the academic breaks. Please note that you must request the employment authorization from the program sponsor indicated on item #2 of your DS-2019 - i.e., UCSB, Institute of International Education, Agency for International Development. Additional information for UCSB sponsored J-1 students is available at OISS.

J-1 STUDENT ACADEMIC TRAINING

Academic training is employment or training directly related to a student’s educational program, as indicated on the DS-2019 form. The student must be in good standing with the university and in valid J-1 status. Academic training can be taken prior to completion of the study program (part-time), during the break periods or after the completion of the study program (full-time). Individuals who have completed an undergraduate or pre-doctoral graduate degree are eligible for 18 months of academic training or the period of their full course of study in J-1 status, whichever is less. Individuals who are at the post-doctoral level are eligible for 36 months of academic training, inclusive of any prior academic training as an exchange visitor, or the period of the full course of study, whichever is less.

Academic Training Application Procedures

The academic training application procedures must be completed no later than 30 days after the completion of the study program. For example, if a student’s last term in completing their study program is the Spring quarter, the academic training must be requested and approved before 30 days after the end of the Spring quarter. The authorization for academic training is granted by OISS with the recommendation or approval of the student’s academic advisor. To apply for academic training, the student must obtain:

1. A letter from the employer of the proposed training to include:
• The company’s name and address
• Description of the training program, including the goals and objectives
• Whether the training will be part-time (20 hours/week or less) or full-time
• Specific beginning and ending dates of the academic training.
• This letter, and the proposed training, should then be discussed with the academic advisor.
2. A statement from the academic advisor to include:
• The date the student will complete their studies
• Approval or recommendation of the proposed academic training with company or an institution.
• That the training directly relates to the student’s field of study and is an integral part of the student’s educational objectives.

Once a student has the above two letters, they should make an appointment to meet with an advisor in OISS and bring their passport and DS-2019 form to the meeting. The OISS advisor will write a letter authorizing Academic Training. The student should not engage in the academic training until they have received this authorization from OISS.

Note: While on academic training, students are still considered to be in J-1 student status sponsored by UCSB. Students are required to maintain adequate health insurance while on academic training and to update any change in their living address in the UCSB GOLD system.