J-1 students, scholars and J-2 dependents are eligible for employment as indicated below:

Category Employment
Students

On-Campus

J-1 students who are maintaining status may work part-time on campus while classes are in session. "Part-time" means not more than 20 hours per pay week. The official work week of the University of Florida is Friday through Thursday. However, some on-campus entities’ work weeks vary, such as Aramark/Gator Dining and UF Bookstore. The student must verify the work week start and end with the employer prior to starting employment.

J-1 students need written authorization from their international student advisor or responsible officer of their exchange visitor program.

Student assistantships are considered "on-campus employment" and therefore are also limited to 20 hours per week. During vacation periods and academic breaks, international students may work full-time on campus if they are returning to classes the following term. International students may not work on campus after completing their course of study. If the international student is continuing for another educational program, the student should consult their international student advisor.

For links to some of the available on-campus job search resources, click here.

For a listing of allowed work hours during the semester and during official breaks, click here.
Off-Campus

J-1 students who are in good academic standing may obtain authorization for work off campus as part of an academic training experience or when unforeseen economic circumstances arise after the student becomes an exchange visitor. Employment as a result of unforeseen economic circumstances is limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session but can be full-time during vacation periods and breaks. Consult the international student advisor for advice and applicable procedures.

  • Academic Training: Academic training is a type of employment directly related to a J-1 student's major area of study designed to apply knowledge and skills learned during the academic program. J-1 students may pursue academic training opportunities during or after their studies. Academic training must be recommended by the dean or major advisor and be authorized by the responsible officer of the exchange visitor program. In general, the student is limited to 18 months of academic training, unless one of the following applies:

    • The program of study is less than 18 months, in which case the academic training period cannot be longer than the course of study

    • The student is pursuing postdoctoral training, in which case, the student may be eligible for up to 36 months of academic training

    • The student has used periods of academic training earlier in his or her studies.

  • Unforeseen Economic Circumstances: A student may be authorized for off-campus employment when necessary because of serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status. Authorization must be approved by an international student advisor before employment begins and off-campus employment is available up to 20 hours per week.

  • Special Student Relief: Students in J-1 status whose means of financial support come from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, or the Philippines, and whose financial support has been disrupted, reduced, or eliminated due to economic crises in that country may be authorized for full- or part-time employment on or off campus. 
Scholars

Professors or Research Scholars are permitted to work as described on the form DS-2019 and may accept additional employment as authorized by the sponsor in accordance with the regulations. Additional employment may be permitted if the activity is determined by the program's Responsible Officer (RO) to be included in the exchange visitor'€™s program objective.

The (RO) must grant work authorization before supplemental employment is started. Documents needed to obtain authorization from EVS include:

  • Offer of employment letter from the additional employer that provides detailed information about the new employment assignment; and
  • Letter/Memo from current UF sponsor that grants permission to the J exchange visitor to participate in additional activities
Dependents

J-2 dependents are eligible for employment (for more information, read section below) and are required to:

  • Apply and be approved for full-time or part-time work authorization through USCIS.

  • Not work for the purpose of supporting the J-1

  • Reapply, in a timely manner, for renewal of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) each year

  • Cease working if the J-1 violates status, changes from J-1 to another non-immigrant class, or leaves the J program altogether

J-2 Employment Authorization

J-2 visa holders may apply for permission to accept employment, provided that the income from such employment is not needed for the support of the J-1 or the J-2 dependents. J-2 work permission should not be requested due to income necessity.

J-2 dependents are eligible for employment and are required to:

  • Apply and be approved for full-time or part-time (paid or unpaid) work authorization through USCIS.
  • Not work for the purpose of supporting the primary J-1 or J-2 dependents.
  • Reapply, in a timely manner, for renewal of the EAD each year (renewals may be applied for up to 120 days prior to the current EAD expiration date).
  • Maintain their U.S. residence with the primary J-1. J-2 dependents are required to live with the primary J-1 while inside the U.S.
  • Cease working under the EAD authorization, if the J-1 or J-2 violates status, changes from J status to another visa status, or leaves the J program altogether.

In order to obtain your J-2 EAD card you must follow the directions below:

  • Complete the I-765 form (please type, hand-written I-765s are not recommend). 
    • The eligibility code for the J-2 EAD designation is: first box (c), second box 5, third box (blank).
  • J-2 to sign in the space provided on the I-765 signature form.
  • I-94 for J-2 applicant and primary J-1.
    • I-94: the electronic Form I-94 in paper format obtained from CBP’s website (www.cbp.gov/I94), or a copy of your paper I-94 card (front and back) - if hard copy was issued by the U.S Port of Entry, mainly seen with entries from Canada.
  • Copy of most recent DS-2019 for the J-2 applicant and primary J-1.
  • Copy of current visa and passport for the J-2 applicant and primary J-1 (if an in-country change of status was conducted to J status include a copy of the USCIS change of status approval notice).
  • If applicable, copies of any previously issued EAD cards (front and back).
  • Two passport-regulation photos (taken within the last six months) that meet USCIS color
    photograph requirements (white or off-white background). Print clearly your full name and I-94 number in pencil on the back of each photo. Photos should be placed in a small envelope labeled “Photos” to be included in the final EAD packet sent to USCIS. We do not recommend using passport photos that appear in your current visa or passport even if the pictures are recent.
  • A brief letter of explanation requesting permission to work (please follow the sample letter below). By signing the letter the J-2 is confirming the information is true and accurate.
  • Fee for processing the EAD application ($410.00 USD, non-refundable), should be a cashier check or money order payable to the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Mail all of the above documents (through the U.S. Postal Service via certified mail, this allows you to track the packet, standard USPS does not allow for tracking) to the following address:

USCIS Dallas Lockbox 
PO Box 660867 
Dallas, TX 75266
Re: I-765 / J-2 EAD Application

Additional Information:

  • After receiving the EAD packet USCIS will mail you a receipt (I-797C - Notice of Action) in approximately two weeks. The receipt will confirm the date your EAD packet was received, contain a receipt number, and confirm your payment was received.
  • You may track the progress and view updates about your EAD application using your I-797C receipt number on the USCIS cast status website: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do
  • If you change your U.S. living address prior to receiving the EAD you should complete the USCIS online address update via the AR-11: https://egov.uscis.gov/coa/displayCOAForm.do
  • Once the EAD is issued this is permission for the J-2 to apply for a U.S. Social Security card.
  • All J-2 employment (paid or unpaid) must be conducted under an active EAD authorization.
  • J-2 EAD authorizations are generally granted for one year intervals or for the remaining validity of the DS-2019, whichever is shorter. Employment (paid or unpaid) may not being until the EAD is issued and in possession of the J-2 applicant.

Forms: