Academic Training

Academic Training is a type of off-campus work authorization that allows a J-1 student to gain practical experience in their field of study. Any employment must be directly related to the J-1 student’s major field of study.  Academic Training can be used during an academic program or after completion of a J-1 program.  The employment experience may be paid or unpaid. 

Academic Training cannot be approved for “permanent” employment (e.g. tenure track positions).

To be eligible for Academic Training, you must document that you:

• are currently in valid J-1 student status
• are in good academic standing or have successfully completed a program of study
• have been offered a job or experience that is directly related to your major field of study

NO.  If you apply for a waiver of the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement (INA 212e), and your waiver is recommended in writing by the U.S. Department of State (“No Objection Statement”) or you receive Form I-612 from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, then you are no longer eligible for Academic Training.  Therefore, it is important that you consult with ISS before applying for the waiver.  Since 212(e) waiver applications can be complex, we also recommend that you seek assistance from an experienced immigration attorney.

• Academic Training is possible for up to 18 months or the length of the study period, whichever is less. 

• Academic Training is possible for up to 36 months or the length of the study period, whichever is less.

• Cannot exceed 24 months in J-1 Non-Degree status (including time spent in Academic Training) and their internship cannot exceed the period of time they spent as a student.

• At the pre-doctoral level, J-1 Students are eligible for up to 18 months of Academic Training or the length of the study period, whichever is less.  
• At the post-doctoral level, they are eligible for up to 36 months of Academic Training (including all prior Academic Training) or the length of the study period, whichever is less. Please note that a maximum of 18 months of Academic Training can be authorized at a time.

You can participate in Academic Training during any of the situations below as long as you have a job offer and your Academic Training has been authorized by ISS. 

• During the semester, only part-time Academic Training authorization is possible.  
  • You must maintain full-time enrollment. 
• During winter break or summer (if it is not your final semester), full-time Academic Training authorization is possible.
• After the completion of all required course work for the degree and while working on one’s thesis, dissertation or equivalent, full-time Academic Training authorization is possible. 

• After the completion of one’s J-1 program, Academic Training authorization can be full-time or part-time.   

Part-time Academic Training (20 hours or less per week) is counted the same as full-time Academic Training (more than 20 hours per week).

There is no specified time period during which applications for Pre-Completion Academic Training must be submitted. However, the ISS processing time is 5-7 business days so please apply at least 7 business days before your employment start date.

ISS must receive your Post-Completion Academic Training application at least 5-7 business days BEFORE the end of your final semester. Applications for Post-Completion Academic Training can be submitted up to 30 days before your completion of studies.  

• For example, if you finish your studies on December 17th then the Academic Training must be authorized by the 16th to begin on the 17th. Any time not worked during the authorized Academic Training period is time lost. Using the previous example, if your job officially begins on January 17th then you have lost one month of Academic Training.  You must have an approved Academic Training application before the end of the semester.

• Academic Advisor Recommendation Form for Academic Training
• Letter from your employer confirming the goals and objectives of the training, and outlining the employment details (start and end date, job title, location, description of activities, supervisor’s name and contact information).
  • Sample Employer Letter   
    

• Proof of adequate health insurance coverage for the Academic Training period. If your employer is offering health insurance as part of the employment it must meet SUNY's minimum requirements. To prove that your insurance is equivalent to the SUNY plan, you must receive a waiver from the Student Medical Insurance office.
  
• Financial documents proving that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents during your Academic Training.
  
  • Funding estimates will vary based on your number of dependents, length of training, etc. Please use the Estimated Expenses page to find your estimated costs.
    

Follow the directions below to submit your on-campus employment request to ISS:

1. Login to UB Global. Click on the “LOGIN” button on the left side of the screen, and enter your UBIT Name and Password.
2. Click on “J-1 Student Services” and then “Academic Training Application.” You must complete the entire e-form and upload copies of the documentation listed above. 

Check our e-form processing page for current processing times. After reviewing your application, ISS will create a new DS-2019 with your Academic Training information. You will receive an email when your DS-2019 is ready.

To access the evaluation form, login to UB Global using your UBIT name and password.  

• Click on J-1 Student Services, then Academic Training Evaluation.  
  • The evaluation form should take no more than a few minutes to complete. 

If your application is approved, ISS will authorize your Academic Training.  No additional authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is required.  You will receive a DS-2019 with Academic Training authorization and a letter for your records. 

• Keep your passport valid at all times.
• Inform ISS of any changes to your U.S. Address, email address, employment details (location, hours per week, supervisor name and contact information) or health insurance coverage within 10 days of the change.
• Complete an Academic Training Evaluation e-form every 6 months and each time you apply to extend your Academic Training. 
  • To access the evaluation form, login to UB Global using your UBIT name and password.  
  • Click on J-1 Student Services, then Academic Training Evaluation.  
  • The evaluation form should take no more than a few minutes to complete.
• Maintain adequate health insurance for yourself and your dependents, and provide ISS with documentation confirming your health insurance coverage. If you intend to use a different health insurance than the SUNY Medical Insurance, you must apply for a waiver of the SUNY Medical Insurance requirement.  The waiver must be approved before we can consider your health insurance as adequate.  For additional information on the SUNY Medical Insurance Waiver, visit the Student Medical Insurance Office. J-1 and J-2 Exchange Visitors are not eligible for Federal or State government benefits, such as Medicaid.
• Work only in a position directly related to your major field of study. If your employment changes, you must submit a new Academic Training application and receive a new DS-2019 before you may begin employment.
• The Academic Training experience must be no more than 40% remote work (e.g., two days out of five).
• Apply to extend your DS-2019 prior to the expiration date (if you are eligible).
• Before traveling outside the U.S., be sure that your travel validation signature on your DS-2019 is not more than 1 year old.