J-1 Academic Training
J-1 Academic Training (AT) is a type of off-campus employment that is directly related to your major area of study. J-1 AT is designed to allow you to apply the knowledge and skills you learned at school.
If you are a J-1 student you can apply for AT either during your course of study or after you complete your studies. AT must be approved by an International Services immigration advisor. You are required to maintain U.S. Department of State health insurance minimums for yourself and any J-2 dependents throughout your AT.
To support services for the growing population of international students on J-1 AT, a service fee is charged: $200 initial request to apply for AT and a $200 post-degree extension fee.
Eligibility
You can apply for J-1 Academic Training if …
- Your DS-2019 was issued by Cornell and has not expired.
- You are in good academic standing at Cornell.
- Your proposed employment is directly related to your major field of study as confirmed by your academic advisor.
- You have not already used the maximum amount of AT allowed.
Duration
Your AT may not exceed the amount of time it took for you to complete your full course of study or 18 months, whichever is shorter. If you graduated with a PhD, you may be eligible for an additional 18 months if the position is postdoctoral or otherwise temporary and for the purpose of post-degree training. Permanent or indefinite term (including tenure-track) positions are not eligible for the additional 18 months.
If you are graduating with a degree in a STEM field you may be eligible for up to 36 months, but additional procedures are required. Contact International Services for more information.
How to Apply for J-1 AT
Familiarize yourself with the information on this page. Then complete the Academic Training request application form. To complete the application, you will need an Academic Training employment letter. Please provide a signed and dated letter on letterhead from your prospective employer containing the following information:
- The goals and objectives of the specific academic training program
- A description of the training program and how it relates to your major field of study
- Hours per week
- Start and end dates of training
- Employment address
- Name and address of the training supervisor
What if my DS-2019 was not issued by Cornell?
If your J-1 sponsor is outside of Cornell (such as Fulbright or IIE), you need to ask your sponsoring agency if you can apply for J-1 Academic Training.
Can I still apply for AT if my DS-2019 has expired?
You must apply for AT before the end date on your DS-2019.
What if I’m in a non-degree program?
All J-1 students in degree or non-degree programs may apply for AT, but non-degree students are not eligible for the J-1 STEM extension.
How do I pay the J-1 AT service fees?
Can I work full-time while on J-1 AT?
- During summer and winter breaks, if you are not registered for classes, you may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (up to 20 hours per week).
- When classes are in session, if you are a registered student, you may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week). Exactly 20 hours is the maximum weekly time you can work.
- If you are approved for J-1 AT in the engineering co-op program, you may work full-time.
If I did AT as a student, can I do more after I graduate?
Any AT you did before graduation will be deducted from your total allowable 18 or 36 months.
When can I start my post-graduation AT job?
Your job must begin no more than 30 days after you complete your program.
What if I only work part-time?
Part-time employment while on AT counts against the 18 or 36 month limit the same as full-time employment. Your total training time will not be extended.
Am I eligible for more AT after a second degree?
You have only one opportunity for AT regardless of how many degrees you receive.
Can I take a leave of absence to work?
If the internship is required for completion of your degree program, you may take a leave of absence for a semester in order to work full-time, so long as you meet all other criteria for J-1 AT. Your academic department must confirm that the work experience is equal to a full course of study for that semester.
If you plan to take a leave of absence and you wish to pursue an internship, full-time J-1 AT is only possible if the internship is required for your degree program or thesis/dissertation research. You must start work no later than the first day of classes and end no earlier than the last day of classes.
Students on full-time AT during a leave of absence must return for at least one full semester of enrollment after completing the internship.
Next Up: F-1 CPT
