J-1 Students can apply for Academic Training authorization to work off-campus and to work after graduation.
If your DS-2019 was issued by Fulbright or another non-TAMU sponsor, then you need to talk to your J-1 program sponsor to get work authorization. ISSS cannot authorize anything for you if we did not issue your DS-2019.
Bachelor’s and Master’s Students: 18 months or less. You cannot do Academic Training longer than the time you were enrolled at TAMU. STEM Majors only may be eligible for 36 months. See the Extension for STEM Majors section below.
Doctoral Students: Up to 36 months.
ISSS will authorize your Academic Training and issue an updated DS-2019. You will need to submit an Academic Training request in the ISSS Portal.
If you want to change or extend your current Academic Training authorization, submit the Update or Extend Academic Training request in the ISSS Portal.
For training after graduation, you must pay a post-enrollment fee based on the length of time you will do Academic Training:
Academic Training Evaluation: Per federal requirements, you must submit an Academic Training Evaluation at the end of your training period. This evaluation is also required if you switch employers.
Per guidance from the U.S. Dept. of State, starting July 1, 2023 - J-1 students on Academic Training may work remotely no more than 40% of the time (i.e. - two days out of five). To work remotely, you must talk to your employer to see if you're eligible to work remotely in accordance with U.S. Dept. of State guidance.
After getting approval from your employer, you need to report the remote work to ISSS through one of the Academic Training requests in the ISSS Portal. The remote work information should be included in your job offer letter or you'll need to submit other documentation from your employer to confirm it.
The U.S. Department of State will now allow Bachelor’s and Master’s students who graduated with STEM degrees to extend their Academic Training up to 36 months total. To be eligible, your DS-2019 CIP code must be on the DHS Designated Degree Program List. The CIP code is the 6-digit number under "Subject/Field Code” on your DS-2019 (XX.XXXX).
Your must also meet the basic Academic Training requirements, listed above.
How to Apply:
If your DS-2019 was issued by Fulbright or another non-TAMU sponsor, then you need to talk to your J-1 program sponsor to get work authorization. ISSS cannot authorize anything for you if we did not issue your DS-2019.
- Timing
- Applying For Academic Training
- Academic Training Requirements
- Rules for Remote Work
- Extension for STEM Majors
Timing
Reciprocal Exchange Students: Depends on how many semesters you enrolled at TAMU. You cannot do Academic Training longer than the time you were enrolled at TAMU. Contact ISSS for more information.Bachelor’s and Master’s Students: 18 months or less. You cannot do Academic Training longer than the time you were enrolled at TAMU. STEM Majors only may be eligible for 36 months. See the Extension for STEM Majors section below.
Doctoral Students: Up to 36 months.
Any academic training you used before graduation will subtract from the time you can use after graduation.
Applying for Academic Training
ISSS will authorize your Academic Training and issue an updated DS-2019. You will need to submit an Academic Training request in the ISSS Portal.
If you want to change or extend your current Academic Training authorization, submit the Update or Extend Academic Training request in the ISSS Portal.
For training after graduation, you must pay a post-enrollment fee based on the length of time you will do Academic Training:
- 12 months or less = $200 (pay here)
- Over 12 months and up to 24 months = $400 (pay here)
- Over 24 months and up to 36 months = $600 (pay here)
Academic Training Requirements
- You must have a job offer with a start date before the end of your 30-day grace period
- ISSS must authorize your Academic Training before your DS-2019 expires
- You cannot work until you receive your new DS-2019
- You may only work within the dates on the DS-2019
- The work must directly relate to the TAMU program you just finished. It can be paid or unpaid.
- You are required to report any changes to your employment
Academic Training Evaluation: Per federal requirements, you must submit an Academic Training Evaluation at the end of your training period. This evaluation is also required if you switch employers.
Rules for Remote Work
Per guidance from the U.S. Dept. of State, starting July 1, 2023 - J-1 students on Academic Training may work remotely no more than 40% of the time (i.e. - two days out of five). To work remotely, you must talk to your employer to see if you're eligible to work remotely in accordance with U.S. Dept. of State guidance.
After getting approval from your employer, you need to report the remote work to ISSS through one of the Academic Training requests in the ISSS Portal. The remote work information should be included in your job offer letter or you'll need to submit other documentation from your employer to confirm it.
Extension for STEM Majors
The U.S. Department of State will now allow Bachelor’s and Master’s students who graduated with STEM degrees to extend their Academic Training up to 36 months total. To be eligible, your DS-2019 CIP code must be on the DHS Designated Degree Program List. The CIP code is the 6-digit number under "Subject/Field Code” on your DS-2019 (XX.XXXX).
Your must also meet the basic Academic Training requirements, listed above.
How to Apply:
- Apply within your Academic Training request
- ISSS will request approval from the Dept. of State for the extension
- If they approve, then ISSS will issue an updated DS-2019 with your extended dates