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J-1 students must obtain authorization prior to beginning any type of employment, including on campus jobs and assistantships. ISSS can authorize employment for all J-1’s with a ×ÔοÊÓÆµ DS-2019. Students with DS-2019’s issued by a sponsor other than ×ÔοÊÓÆµ, such as IIE, should contact their J-1 Responsible Officer for assistance.
Types of on campus employment
- Employment Required by a Scholarship, Fellowship, or Assistantship. This kind of work usually occurs on campus, with the school as the employer. In certain circumstances, however, the work can be done elsewhere for a different employer. You might work in a government or private research laboratory, for example, if your major professor has a joint appointment there, and would be supervising you in work that counted toward your degree.
If you are receiving funding from ×ÔοÊÓÆµ that does not require service, it is not considered employment and authorization is not needed.
- On-Campus Jobs Unrelated to Study. The regulations, in allowing for jobs on campus that are unrelated to study, stipulate only that the work be done “on the premises� of the school. That means that the school does not have to be the employer, and that you could work for a commercial company, such as a food service, in its operations on your campus.
Eligibility
To be eligible for on campus student employment, you must be:
- In valid J-1 status in the student sub-category
- Registered and studying full-time except during school breaks or a vacation period
- In good academic standing at ×ÔοÊÓÆµ
- Approved in SEVIS for the specific employment in advance by ISSS.
Application Process
Complete the and submit it to ISSS. Students are encouraged to submit the form 2 weeks in advance of your employment start date.
Students with DS-2019’s issued by a sponsor other than ×ÔοÊÓÆµ, such as IIE, should contact their J-1 Responsible Officer for assistance.
Limitations
On-campus employment is limited to no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. Full-time employment (working more than 20 hours a week) is acceptable only during official school breaks such as Winter break, Spring break and Summer.
Authorization is valid for up to 12 months at a time. Students who wish to renew their authorization should submit the application with enough time to avoid gaps in employment.
How to find on campus employment
There are a few resources for ×ÔοÊÓÆµ students to find on-campus employment.
is a database for ×ÔοÊÓÆµ related job opportunities. Please note: Hire-A-Dore also includes positions that are off-campus. J-1 students are not legally allowed to accept these jobs without employment authorization. They are generally classified as “other,â€� but be mindful when searching for employment on this site.
Additionally, if you have trouble logging in to Hire-A-Dore on your first attempt, contact Student Employment, and they will be able to help you.
is another resource for helping ×ÔοÊÓÆµ students find work.
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