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OISSS > For International Students > J-1 > Employment Authorization

J-1
Employment Authorization

On-Campus Employment | Off-campus Employment: Academic Training
Off-campus Employment: Severe Unforseen Economic Hardship

Please be aware that engaging in any unauthorized employment (either by more hours than are permitted or without necessary authorization) renders students "out-of-status" and subject to deportation. Please note: opportunities which are paid or unpaid MAY be considered employment. If students have questions about employment options, please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services before beginning or accepting employment (including internships or practicums).

On-Campus Employment
J-1 students must have written authorization from the organization or institution which issued their DS-2019 forms (item number 2 on Form DS-2019), in order to be employed on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. J-1 students sponsored by UNC-Chapel Hill must complete (and have signed by an Office of International Student and Scholar Services staff member) the blue "J-1 Student Employment Approval" form before beginning on-campus employment.

Students in J-1 status who have written authorization from their program sponsors may work on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (or during summer sessions if registered for a course). Students may work (with written authorization) full-time on campus during the summer or vacation periods if they were in status the previous semester, intend to register as full-time students the following semester, and are not enrolled in courses. The 20-hour limit includes the total of all types of employment (assistantships, academic training, part-time campus employment, etc.). Full-time (more than 20 hours per week) on-campus employment authorization for students may only be obtained by engaging in Academic Training.

Off-campus Employment

J-1 Academic Training (AT)
Academic Training for J-1 students is intended to provide practical work experience which complements the academic program. It must be an integral part of the student's academic goals. Academic Training may be undertaken before or after completion of studies.

Students in J-1 status (other than non-degree students) may apply for Academic Training authorization from their Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) (generally, the person of your sponsoring program which issued and signed your DS-2019). The employment must be in the student's field of study, must be recommended by their academic advisor, and must be authorized in writing by the RO or ARO of their Sponsoring Program before they begin the employment.

J-1 students are eligible for up to eighteen months of Academic Training (AT) throughout their J-1 status. However, the total training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study. AT may be taken in one period after completion of their program, or students may divide it by doing some in the summers, some part-time while they are still taking classes, and the remainder after graduation. If students use up all eighteen months after obtaining your bachelor's degree, they will not have any left during or after a graduate program. An additional eighteen months may be possible for those in a "Post-doctoral" research position at a university.

Applications and information about Academic Training (AT) are available at the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. Students who want to apply for AT should submit the application materials to the RO or ARO of their J-1 program sponsor at least
2 weeks prior to the end of your program.

Severe Unforeseen Economic Hardship
J-1 students may be eligible for off-campus employment if they are experiencing severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances which have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status. Students must be in good academic standing and continue to carry a full course of study. Employment must total no more than 20 hours per week including any on-campus employment (TA's, RA's, part-time jobs) during the fall and spring semesters. This type of employment must be approved in writing in advance by the Responsible Officer who sponsored the student's J-1 program.

Please speak with an advisor at the Office of International Student and Scholar Services to find out more about this type of employment. Be prepared to provide documentation of reasons for economic hardship.