J-1 Academic Training

Academic Training is a type of off-campus work authorization for employment in a student's field of study (does not need to be an “academic” job). The J-1 student’s program sponsor (the institution that issues the DS-2019) is responsible for granting the authorization. Students sponsored by UC Berkeley must request Academic Training authorization from Berkeley International Office. Students who are sponsored by institutions other than UC Berkeley (such as Fulbright, LASPAU etc.) should check with that sponsor for information on Academic Training eligibility.

Academic Training...

is available before or after completion of studies.
Employment can be part-time (20 hours per week or less) during the fall and spring semesters or full-time in the summer. Graduate students advanced to Ph.D candidacy may work full-time at any time of the year with recommendation from their academic department. Academic Training used after completion of the degree program can be full-time or part-time. The deadline to apply for Academic Training is the date you complete all the requirements for your degree (may not be the same as your "graduation" date).
can be used for paid or unpaid internships or jobs.
For example, if a student wanted to remain in the U.S. to work on a research project with a professor on campus or at another school, s/he could use Academic Training to extend the J-1 to cover the period needed to complete the research project, whether it be for paid or unpaid work. Academic Training also allows for more than one job at a time, as long as they are all related to the student’s field of study.
is available for a total of 18 months or for a period equal to the length of the study program, whichever is shorter.
Authorization can be extended for postdoctoral researchers only for a maximum total of 36 months. Postdoctoral students who would like to request an extension beyond 18 months should meet with an Adviser in Berkeley International Office to discuss the matter in detail.
is deducted at a full-time rate regardless of the number of hours worked.

Education Abroad Program (EAP) Students

EAP reciprocity students are also eligible to use Academic Training. Those who complete one semester only at UC Berkeley are allowed four months of Academic Training after the semester is completed. EAP students who complete two semesters at UC Berkeley are eligible for nine months of Academic Training after the second semester. However, EAP students who begin in the spring term and will continue to the fall term may also use Academic Training to work off-campus during the summer between semesters or after completing the second (fall) semester, not to exceed a total of nine months.

Application Deadline

Students cannot begin working on Academic Training until they have their work authorization in hand. The Berkeley International Office requires three working days to process your Academic Training request. Students must submit the application for Academic Training to Berkeley International Office before completion of the academic program. The completion date may or may not be the same as the end date on your DS-2019. “Completion” is defined as follows:

Undergraduates - the last day of final exams of the semester you are graduating
Graduates – the day degree requirements are fulfilled such as passing final exams or filing a dissertation
EAP – the last day of final exams of your last semester in the program.

Application Instructions for UC Berkeley-Sponsored Students

Complete the Academic Training Request Form. This is a fillable form that you must save to your computer, complete and print out.
Ask your Adviser's to complete "Departmental Recommendation" section of the Academic Training Request Form
Submit the Academic Training Request form to Berkeley International Office.
If approved, you can pick up your work permit from Berkeley International Office in three business days.


	J-1 Academic Training	A-Z Index
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