Employment

J-1 Student Employment

J-1 students may engage in any employment specifically listed on Form DS-2019 as part of their program. For all other employment, ISO authorization is required.

On-Grounds

J-1 students are eligible for on-grounds employment for UVA for up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and full-time during breaks with ISO approval. Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships are considered to be 20 hours per week. J-1 students must bring a completed On-Grounds Employment Form to the ISO before engaging in any on-grounds employment.

Academic Training

J-1 students may be approved to engage in academic training outside the University. Academic training is employment directly related to a J-1 student's major field of study and may be used during the semester, during breaks in the academic year or directly following the completion of studies. Generally, the length of this training, in aggregate, may not exceed 18 months or the length of the program, whichever is shorter. Postdoctoral academic training may extend to 36 months.

Throughout the period of academic training a J-1 student's DS-2019 must remain valid, and the J-1 student and any J-2 dependents must maintain adaquate health insurance. J-1 students who have completed their studies must continue to maintain health insurance that meets the standards for J-1 scholars and exchange students.

J-1 students wishing to apply for academic training must bring the following to the ISO during office hours:

- Letter from the employer on letterhead documenting the duties of the position, salary, location of the employment and duration of the employment (model letter); and

- Completed Academic Training Advisor's Recommendation Form.

**A J-1 student may not engage in academic training before ISO approval.**

J-1 Scholar Employment

A J-1 scholar should contact the ISO if he or she plans to engage in any employment activity outside the confines of his or her J-1 program at UVA.