- The student is in a full-time academic program
- The student has a valid J-1 status
- The student applies before the completion of their academic program
Visa Categories
Employment on J-1 Student Status
J-1 Student Visa holders are allowed to work in the U.S. only if they maintain valid J-1 status and have written permission from their J-1 sponsor. Please review the sections below for detailed information about each type and the procedures for obtaining authorization.
On-Campus Employment
J-1 students must obtain approval for on-campus employment before starting any work, per regulations. On-campus jobs are limited to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time during breaks. Locations approved for on-campus jobs are university positions on the Center City and East Falls campuses, and sites that are educationally affiliated with Thomas Jefferson University. For more information and a full listing of sites that are approved for on-campus employment, please review the On-Campus Employment Request in the International Services Portal.
Log in to the International Services Portal to report your on-campus job. If you have questions about regulations regarding on-campus employment, contact your International Student Advisor.
If you’re looking for a flexible schedule or to work for only a few hours, contact:
JeffTemps
1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-503-TEMP (8367)
You can also speak with your department or contact:
Human Resources
1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-503-HRSC (4772)
Academic Training
Allows J-1 students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. It can be paid or unpaid, full or part-time employment to those in both degree and non-degree programs.
The training/employment must begin within the first 30 days after the official academic program completion date.
- Limited to 18 months for degree programs (36 months for postdoctoral training)
- The total employment/training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in a full course of study. For example, if you are a Master's student who completed a program in 12 months, you are only eligible for 12 months of academic training
- Any pre-completion academic training period is deducted from your total allowable academic training period when calculating post-completion academic training
- Submit a formal offer letter from your potential academic training employer which includes job title, description of goals/objectives of your training/employment dates, location of training/employment, number of hours per week, salary and benefits, name, and title of your training supervisor
- Your academic advisor or program director must recommend the Academic Training through a letter
- Log in to the International Services Portal to make a request for Academic Training and follow the instructions