Office of International Education

J-1 Academic Training

A few international students in the U.S. are here in J-1 student status. Generally speaking, J-1 students who have maintained legal immigration status while studying full-time towards a degree will be eligible for a total of 18 months (36 months for Ph.D. students) of work eligibility if the work is related to the full-time academic study. The allowed work is called “academic training” and may be authorized by the foreign student advisor at the student's home institution or sponsoring agency during vacations, summer and/or after graduation. Please call OIE with any additional questions on general or specific situations.

If the student has been approved for Academic Training , the student will have a letter from his/her foreign student advisor stipulating (1) the specific job, (2) part-time or full-time, (3) the specific employer (CMU), and (4) a specific period of time. The student may only work as authorized in the Academic Training letter unless additionally authorized by his/her foreign student advisor. The student will also need the passport, I-94 card, SEVIS DS-2019 form, visa, and social security number. Please call OIE with any additional questions.