Employment Requirements

J-1 students in good academic standing may be allowed to work under some circumstances during their J-1 program. Per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Department of State (DOS) regulations, “work” includes any work-like activities: paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, on-campus or off-campus, etc. It includes co-ops, externships, internships, shadowing, and most forms of volunteering. 

All employment must be authorized by EVS in writing before any work begins, even for work required by an academic program. 

There are two main categories of employment that J-1 students may be eligible for. They are Student Employment and Academic Training. Please review each category below carefully, as each has its own eligibility requirements and regulations.