Academic Training

Academic Training 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 while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods; also, under certain circumstances, you may work full-time, for example while you are writing a thesis. For advice and for further information, please consult your international Student Advisor.

Your J-1 Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)
To qualify for Academic Training, you must first obtain approval in writing from the Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer (RO/ARO) who represents your J-1 program sponsor and issues your Forms DS-2019. He or she must evaluate the proposed employment in terms of your program of study and your individual circumstances, and then decide whether it would be appropriate or not. If your J-1 sponsor is the University of Miami, you must apply at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). If your J-1 sponsor is an agency (such as LASPAU, IIE/Fulbright, etc.), and if you are uncertain how to reach your J-1 RO/ARO, your ISSS advisor can help you find out how to contact your J-1 RO/ARO, but has no authority to grant employment permission to you.

Conditions

1. 1. Eligibility
      1. You are in the United States primarily to study rather than to engage in Academic Training.
      2. The proposed academic training must be directly related to your major field of study at the school listed on your Form DS-2019.
      3. You must be in good academic standing at the school listed on your Form DS-2019.
      4. Throughout your Academic Training, you must maintain your J-1 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.
   2. Limitations - General
      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 the RO/ARO. It may not exceed the period of full course of study or 18 months, whichever is shorter. If you receive a Ph.D., your post doctoral training may last as long as 36 months. 
         
         

         The U.S. Department of State has announced an extension of their initiative for College and University Student-category exchange visitors participating in academic training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) until December 31, 2024: 

         • Undergraduate and pre-doctoral degree-seeking College and University students in J-1 exchange visitor status who are pursuing or recently completed STEM-related studies may be eligible for up to 36 months of academic training (including a single extension); non-degree seeking students in J-1 exchange visitor status are not eligible to apply.
         • While participating in these academic training extensions, students in J-1 exchange visitor status must continue to meet the requirements of 22 CFR §62.23(f), including but not limited to, being primarily in the United States to study, pursuing training that is directly related to their major field of study, and either engaging in a full course of study or commencing with their academic training within 30 days after completion of their related studies.  
         • A complete list of STEM field Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes for which students in J-1 exchange visitor status are eligible to apply for this academic training extension is included in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program List at the following address: https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/stem-list.pdf. 
         • The initiative will run until December 31, 2024 for eligible students in J-1 exchange visitor status who meet the academic training requirements.

         Please be mindful that academic training can only be authorized by your exchange visitor program sponsor.

      2. International students in J-1 status may participate remotely no more than 40% of the time (e.g., two days out of five) when their host organizations have instituted partial remote policies and their sponsor has approved their hybrid program participation.
      3. Part time employment for Academic Training counts against the 18 or 36 month limit the same as full time employment.
      4. Earning more than one degree does not increase your eligibility for Academic Training.

1. After Completion of your Program of Study
   1. Academic Training approved after completion of your program must be reduced by any prior periods of Academic Training.
   2. Academic Training following completion of your program of study must involve paid 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 your J 1 RO/ARO no later than 30 days after the end of your program, or you will lose eligibility for Academic Training after completion.
   4. If you plan to leave the United States after you complete your program of study and reenter the country for J 1 Academic Training, you must obtain Academic Training authorization before you leave the U.S. If you do not obtain such authorization, you will have trouble reentering the U.S.

The Application Procedure
If you want to apply for Academic Training, you need to take the following steps:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Obtain a letter of employment 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. Make sure that your employer's letter includes all of these details. - See Sample Letter.
            2. Give a copy of your employer's letter to your academic advisor or dean for use in writing to your J-1 RO/ARO recommending the Academic Training. According to the text of the regulation, your advisor's letter must set forth:
               1. The goals and objectives of the specific Academic Training program;
               2. A description of the training program, including its location, the name and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training;
               3. How the training relates to the student's major field of study; and
               4. Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the student.
         
         
         Your advisor must also approve your Academic Training for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training. See Sample Letter.
      2.  
      When your academic advisor's recommendation is ready, e-mail the following application documents to
   isss@miami.edu:
    
   1. 1. Academic Training Request Form;
      2. Your most recent Form I-94;
      3. Copy of passport pages (biographic data, photo, J-1 visa, and passport page with last entry stamp);
      4. A copy of your letter of employment offer (see Sample Letter);
      5. Your academic advisor's or dean's recommendation for Academic Training (see Sample Letter).

      Upon receipt of all required application materials, your J-1 RO/ARO must evaluate the Academic Training program and decide whether it is warranted and appropriate. If so, he or she will provide you with a letter of approval and an updated Form DS-2019. To authorize post-doctoral training, your J-1 RO/ARO will issue an updated Form DS-2019 for no more than 18 months at a time.

Authorization to work

A Social Security Number. To put you on the payroll, your employer will need your Social Security Number, which you can obtain by applying for a Social Security Card. Take your passport (if you are Canadian you may use another form of photo-bearing identification), Form I-94 Departure Record card, your Form DS-2019, and your J-1 RO/ARO letter of approval to an office of the Social Security Administration.

Form I-9, "Employment Eligibility Verification." When you begin work, 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 (or other photo-bearing identification if you are Canadian), Form I-94 Departure Record, Form DS-2019, and your J-1 RO/ARO letter of approval. 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.

Health insurance through United Health Care
International students who are no longer enrolled at the Universitybut remain in the United States to engage in post-completion J-1 Academic Training (AT) may still be insured under the Student Insurance policy if they originally purchased a plan that continues beyond the completion of their studies. Visit Student Health Service for more information. 

Although insurance coverage can continue during Academic Training, access to the Student Health Service is limited to enrolled students. Expenses incurred off-campus will be subject to deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance. Please contact the Student Health Service at studenthealth@miami.edu for additional information.

Social Security and other Taxes

Social Security Taxes. In general, as a J-1 student you will be exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes for your first five years in the United States, as long as you continue to declare non-resident status for tax purposes (see Internal Revenue Service Publication 519, "U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.")

Federal, State and Local Taxes. Unless you qualify under a tax treaty between the United States and your home government, your earnings as a J-1 student will be subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes, and employers are required by law to withhold those taxes from your paychecks. By April 15 you must file a federal income tax return and a "Required Statement" covering the prior calendar year to determine whether you owe more taxes or are entitled to a refund.

A Note of Caution
As a J-1 student you are eligible for a variety of work opportunities in the United States, but employment without proper authorization is a serious violation of your status. Remember to consult International Student and Scholar Services prior to starting any kind of employment.

Additional Resources:
Employment Eligibility Verification and Form I-9 Information for Students.