J-1 Academic Training (AT) is work authorization for off-campus employment related to your field of study. UCI is the program sponsor responsible for reviewing your application and granting this authorization.
*If you are a student who is sponsored by an institution other than UCI (such as Fulbright/IIE) contact your sponsor for information on Academic Training eligibility and procedures; they will have oversight over your J-1 record.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Academic Training, you must:
- Be in good academic standing at UCI
- Participate in training related directly to your major/field of study
- You may have more than one job at a time, as long as all are related to your field of study and separate Academic Training applications are submitted for each job.
- If changing employers while on Post- Completion Academic Training, there cannot be a gap in employment dates.
- Receive written approval from the International Center before beginning Academic Training
Pre-Completion Academic Training (during your program):
- Maintain full-time enrollment (12 units) during academic training quarter.
- Notify the International Center if you will end your Academic Training before the approved end date, by submitting the final evaluation.
Post-Completion Academic Training (after your program):
- Submit an Academic Training application to the International Center before the end date of your program (allow 10 business days minimum for processing).
- Academic Training must begin within 30 days of your program end date.
- Maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and any J-2 dependents through the duration of your academic training.
- If you plan to enroll to take additional courses during Post-Completion Academic Training, the courses must be incidental (not degree seeking).
- Notify the International Center if you will end your Academic Training before the approved end date, by submitting the final evaluation.
- Depart the U.S. before the end of your 30-day grace period when AT is completed.
Length of Academic Training
- Non-Degree EAP, Bachelors, Masters: Eligible to apply for a maximum 18 months or the length of your program (whichever is shorter)
- Doctorate: Eligible to apply for 18 months; or 36 months (maximum) at post-doctoral level
Work Hours During Academic Training
Pre-Completion Academic Training:
- Fall/Winter/Spring Quarter: You can only work part-time (20 hours or less/per week)
- *Full time may be granted on a case by case basis
- Summer Quarter: You may work part-time or full-time
Post-Completion Academic Training:
- You can only work full-time (more than 20 hours/per week)
*Any Pre-Completion Academic Training (part-time/full-time) completed during your program, will be deducted from the total time you are eligible to participate in Academic Training.
Application Instructions
Step 1: Review Academic Training Presentation
Step 2: Prepare Academic Training Materials
- Academic Training (AT) Application
- Copy of Employment Offer Letter
- Requirements for this letter are listed in the presentation above for Step 1
- Letter of Recommendation from Academic Department/Counselor (original)
- Copy of Passport Biographical Page
- Copy of most recent visa
- Copy of most recent I-94 document
- For Post-Completion Academic Training Only:
- Financial Documents (Bank Statement/Bank Letter)
- Provide proof of financial support in the amount of $2,333/month for living expenses during the training period. Add an additional $500/month per dependent.
- If funds are provided by another person/party, please also include a letter of support from your sponsor.
- Submit Post-Completion Administrative Fee Payment Receipt
- The Post-Completion Administrative Fee is a one-time fee of $100 for Post-Completion AT
- Financial Documents (Bank Statement/Bank Letter)
Step 3: Upload Your Application
- Upload the documents from Step 2 to the Student Upload Tool
- Review Processing Times and submit your application early.
Step 4: Receive Your Academic Training DS-2019
- Your application will be reviewed by an International Student Advisor and your DS-2019 visa document will be sent electronically via DocuSign.
- After your AT application is processed and ready, you will receive two items from the International Center. Both items should be shown to your employer for hiring paperwork:
- A letter verifying the details and reminders associated with your Academic Training
- A new DS-2019 with your recommendation for Academic Training.
Step 5: Submit the Final Evaluation
- J-1 visa regulations require that you submit a final evaluation about your Academic Training experience.
- Upload your Academic Training Evaluation to the International Center’s upload tool within 10 days of the completion of your Academic Training.
- *If you are ending Post-Completion Academic Training you must also upload a Student Check Out form with your evaluation.