Academic training offers a variety of employment situations to supplement your academic program in the United States and is flexible in its format. It is available before completion of your program of study as well as afterwards. As long as you stay within the stipulated time limits, it allows you to work part-time or full-time while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods. Under certain circumstances, you may interrupt your studies to work full-time, such as, while you are writing a thesis. J-1 students in non-degree programs are also eligible for academic training.

Conditions

1. Your primary purpose in the United States must be study rather than academic training.
   
   
2. You must be in good academic standing.
   
   
3. The proposed employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
   
   
4. Throughout your academic training you must maintain permission to stay in the United States in J-1 student status, and apply for extensions as necessary.
   
   
5. You must maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and any J-2 dependents throughout your academic training.

Limitations

1. Your employment may be authorized for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time is approved by both the academic dean or advisor and an Immigration Coordinator in OIA. It may not exceed the period of full course of study or 18 months, whichever is shorter. If you receive a doctoral degree and have been offered a post-doctoral position, your "postdoctoral training" may last as long as 36 months. Additional academic training beyond the 18 or 36 month limit is allowed only if it is required for the degree.
   
   
2. Part-time employment for academic training counts against the 18 or 36-month limit the same as full-time employment.
   
   
3. Earning more than one degree does not increase the amount of time for academic training.

Before Completion of Study

You may be authorized for Academic Training under one of the three following conditions:

1. You are a full-time student and continue to be enrolled in a full course of study and make normal progress towards your degree while you are employed; or
   
   
2. During a vacation quarter; or
   
   
3. You have completed all your course requirements and need only to complete a thesis or dissertation.

After Completion of Study

1. Academic training approved after completion of your program of study must be reduced by any prior periods of academic training.
   
   
2. Academic training following completion of your program of study may be paid or unpaid employment. If unpaid, the student must be able to show adequate financial support and insurance coverage during the period of authorized employment.
   
   
3. Whether the other items in the application are ready yet or not, you must obtain a written offer of appropriate employment and present a copy to an International Affairs coordinator in no later than 30 days after completion of studies, as long as your DS-2019 has not expired.

Application Procedure

1. Obtain a letter of offer from your prospective employer that includes your job title, a brief description of the "goals and objectives" of your "training program" (your employment), the dates and location of the employment, the number of hours per week, and the name and address of your "training supervisor" (the quotations come from the immigration regulations) and an annual salary rate. Make sure that your employer's letter includes all of these details. If you are unpaid, bring proof of finances (e.g. bank statement) and insurance to International Affairs along with your letter.
   
   
2. Give a copy of your employer's letter to your academic advisor or dean for use in completing the "Academic Advisor/Dean Recommendation" form.
   
   
3. Bring the letter of offer and recommendation from the academic advisor or dean to OIA and have an Immigration Coordinator review the material.
   
   
4. Upon approval, the Immigration Coordinator will issue a letter of employment authorization. To authorize academic training International Affairs will issue a new Form DS-2019 if needed, for no more that 18 months at a time.
    
   

Documents Needed for Employment

When you begin work (as a paid employee), you and your employer must complete Form I-9, which requires you to document your identity and work authorization according to directions on the back of the Form. Of the various items acceptable as documentation, you may find that the most convenient combination is your passport, Form I-94, Form DS-2019, and the OIA work authorization letter. Your employer, who keeps Form I-9, will make copies of the documents you submit, and return the originals to you. Form I-9 must be updated any time that you receive a renewal of your permission for academic training.

Social Security and Other Taxes

For more information on taxes, please click here.

Forms Needed

• Advisor Recommendation Form

If you have further questions, please contact a coordinator at 614-292-6101; email iss@oia.osu.edu; or come in for Advising and Application Processing anytime between 1 – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.