J-1 Student Authorized Employment
J-1 Students sponsored by LSUHSC New Orleans must receive written authorization from an RO/ARO before beginning any type of employment. J-1 Students who are sponsored by other institutions or agencies (Fulbright, etc.) must receive appropriate authorization from their sponsoring agency before beginning any type of employment.
In order to be eligible for ANY type of J-1 student employment, the student must be properly maintaining their immigration status, be in good academic standing (based on the standards of their school/program) and enrolled in a full course of study.
To obtain the required prior written approval from a DSO, the student should submit a J-1 Student Employment Request Form to International Services with the required support documentation. J-1 Students who engage in/begin any type of employment without prior written authorization from a DSO are in violation of their J status. Such a violation is grounds for program termination. No reinstatement exists for this type of violation.
Employment that is pursuant to an Assistantship, Scholarship or Fellowship may occur either on or off campus, but must still be approved in advance and in writing by an RO/ARO.
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Evidence of the Assistantship, Scholarship or Fellowship requirements. (Letter of award, offer, etc.)
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A letter of good academic standing from the Student's School
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Completed J-1 Employment Request Form signed by the J-1 Student.
Employment that is NOT pursuant to an Assistantship, Scholarship or Fellowship or Severe Economic Hardship (below) must occur on the premises of LSUHSC.
In order to receive written authorization for on campus employment from an RO/ARO, the following must be submitted to the Office of International Services:
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A letter from the department wishing to employ the student. The letter must:
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Be on department letterhead
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Be signed by the student's direct supervisor (include name and title)
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Describe the student's job duties
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Acknowledge the weekly hour limits for J-1 Student employment
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A letter of good academic standing from the Student's School
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Completed J-1 Employment Request Form signed by the J-1 Student.
Authorization will be provided for an initial period of up to 12 months by updating the J-1 Student's SEVIS record and issuance of an employment letter from the RO/ARO. If a J-1 Student wishes to continue employment for a longer period, the authorization must be renewed through International Services following the initial twelve month period.
J-1 Students who are experiencing "serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances" which have arisen since acquiring J-1 Student status may request authorization for off campus employment.
The J-1 Student must establish:
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Serious, urgent and unforeseen circumstances exists due to events that occurred after obtaining J-1 Student status and are beyond the student's control.
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Examples include:
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home country currency devaluation
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medical bills
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loss of financial aid that is not the fault of the student
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substantial and unexpected tuition/fee increases
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The employment will not interfere with ability to maintain a full time course load
The student must also submit:
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A letter of good academic standing from the Student's School
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Completed J-1 Employment Request Form signed by the J-1 Student.
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Statement and documents detailing economic hardship
Academic Training is available for students who are properly maintaining their J-1 immigration status, and are in good academic standing (if during course of study).
In order to qualify as Academic Training, the proposed activity must be directly related to the J-1 Student's major or course of study (J-1 Non-Degree Students).
Academic Training may be paid or unpaid*.
*J-1 Students must always be able to document their ability to support themselves (and any dependents) and pay any applicable tuition or fees.
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18 months for Undergraduates and Pre-doctoral Degree students unless mandatory degree requirements exceed this time limitation OR equal to duration of course of study if less than 18 months.
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Postdoctoral training is available for a total of 36 months or equal to course of study duration following receipt of the Ph.D. degree. Full 36 months is available if course of study is at least 36 months and provided no Academic Training has been used.
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J-1 Students' Non-Degree Academic Training may not exceed the total length of their course of study (course of study is limited to 24 months including any periods of Academic Training). The primary purpose must remain study, not Academic Training. No exception for mandatory degree requirements is available.
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All Academic Training used, even if at another institution or education level, is counted toward the total available time limits.
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Example: J-1 Student completes Master's degree in 24 months, then uses 12 months of Academic Training. J-1 Student continues to PhD program and completes PhD in 48 months. J-1 Student then has 24 (6 remaining from Pre-doctoral and additional 18 months following PhD) months of Academic Training available following PhD completion.
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Academic Training Request Form
Written Authorization will be provided in the form of an updated Form DS-2019 issued by the Office of International Services. Employment/Training may NOT begin before this document has been obtained by the J-1 Student and the start date indicated has arrived.
Academic Training authorization is specific. ANY change in circumstances surrounding the training must be reported to International Services in advance so necessary authorization updates may be made. Changes that are reported after the fact are not acceptable. Failure to receive appropriate authorization is a status violation and grounds for termination of the SEVIS record. See CFR 62.23(f)