J-1 ACADEMIC TRAINING (AT)

(This page has a friendly link that's easy to remember: at.ucsd.edu)

Academic Training (AT) is a period of authorized off-campus employment directly related to a student’s field of study. J-1 students may participate in AT either before or after graduation. Review all steps below to understand how to request AT and how it may affect your status.

Before Applying for Academic Training

Overview

AT is required for both paid positions and unpaid internships.
AT is not required for volunteering. Volunteering is defined as donating time with an organization whose primary purpose is charitable or humanitarian in nature, without remuneration or any other type of compensation.
J-1 students sponsored by another program (i.e Fulbright, CONACYT, etc.) should contact their program sponsors regarding Academic Training eligibility requirements.

Check your Academic Training (AT) Eligibility: Pre-Degree Completion

Check your Academic Training (AT) Eligibility: Pre-Degree Completion

Open to J-1 degree-seeking and Education Abroad Program (EAP) students.
Must be in valid J-1 status and have a valid passport and DS-2019.
Must have completed at least one quarter in J-1 status.
Can be used for paid or unpaid internships or jobs off-campus.
Must be related to your field of study.
Can be part-time during the academic year (fall, winter, and spring quarters) or full-time in the summer.
Required to maintain full-time (12 units) enrollment during the academic year.
Required to enroll in an internship course (includes summer for undergraduates).
- Typical course numbers for undergraduates are: 191, 196, 197, 198 or 199.
- Typical course numbers for graduate students are: 291, 297, 298, or 299.
Note: Graduate students are not required to enroll in internship units during the summer, but they are required to complete the Post-Academic Training Report in iPortal by the first day of Fall Quarter.
Required to maintain full-time (12 units) enrollment during the academic year.
Must have a job offer in hand before applying for AT.

Check your Academic Training (AT) Eligibility: Post-Degree Completion

Open to J-1 degree-seeking and Education Abroad Program (EAP) students.
Must be in valid J-1 status and have a valid passport and DS-2019.
Must have completed at least one quarter in J-1 status.
Can be used for paid or unpaid internships or jobs off-campus.
Must be related to your field of study.
Post-completion AT must be a minimum of 20 hours/week.
Must have a job offer in hand before applying for AT.
Employment must begin within thirty (30) days of the program completion date. However, time authorized for AT will begin counting the day after program completion.
Allows for more than one job at a time, as long as all are related to the student’s field of study and separate AT request forms are submitted.

Important: If you have received a recommendation for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement, you are not eligible for an extension of your DS-2019 to participate in post-completion AT. However, you may still participate in pre-completion AT.

Determine Duration of your Academic Training

Available for a total of eighteen (18) months or for a period equal to the length of the study program, whichever is shorter.
- Example: if you are on a 6-month program, then you are eligible for only 6 months of AT. If you are in a 24-month graduate program, then you are eligible for only 18 months of AT.
Post-completion PhD students in J-1 status are allowed to apply for a maximum total of thirty-six (36) months of AT.
Students may apply for an extension at any time before the expiration of their initial 18 months of AT.
Part-time employment is still counted on a full-time basis when calculating the duration of your AT (e.g., 6 months of work at 20 hours per week is still counted as 6 months of AT used, not 3 months of AT used).

Review the Application Timeline

It takes the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) at least 10 business days to process Academic Training requests.
Please submit your request to ISPO at least 10 business days (2 weeks) before beginning employment.
Applications must be submitted to ISPO before the program completion date:
- Undergraduate students/EAP students: completion date is the last day of the quarter
- Graduate students: completion date is the filing date of thesis/dissertation with UC San Diego Office of Graduate Studies.

Applying for Academic Training

Review the Application Process

STEP 1: Gather all documents for the Academic Training application package.
STEP 2: Submit Academic Training package to the ISPO for review.
STEP 3: Pick up an updated DS-2019 and Employment Authorization Letter at ISPO.
STEP 4: Begin employment after you receive your updated DS-2019 and Employer Verification Letter.
STEP 5: Show your updated DS-2019 and Employment Verification Letter to your employer to verify your work authorization in the U.S.

Compile your AT Application

Submit the Academic Training DS-2019 Request in iPortal.
Obtain a job offer letter. Employment start date must be within 30 days of completing your program.

Additionally, some students will need to submit the following:

Confirmation of payment for the $100 Post-Completion Academic Training Administrative Processing Fee (only if applying for post-completion Academic Training). Additionally, a $3.00 credit card processing fee may apply. Fees subject to change without prior notification.
- For students who have not been offered a Postdoctoral Scholar position at UC San Diego for your Post Completion AT period submit payment for AT Administrative Processing fee
- For students who have accepted a Postdoctoral Scholar position at UC San Diego for your Post Completion AT, your department will pay the fee for you. Please direct your hiring department to Employing International Students for instructions for how to complete this fee payment on the postdoc's behalf.
- Note: If requesting post-completion AT authorization for multiple employers at once, the $100 Post-Completion Academic Training Administrative Processing Fee must only be paid once.
Updated Health Insurance Requirement (only if applying for post-completion Academic Training).
- Proof of insurance coverage OR waiver approval from Garnett-Powers & Associates, Inc.
Current bank statement or financial support letter from sponsor (only if applying for unpaid employment or post-completion Academic Training).

Submit your AT Application

Log in to iportal.ucsd.edu .
Go to "Services" tab.
Select "J-1 Academic Training DS-2019 Request – For AIP", if enrolling in Academic Internship Program (AIP 197 for undergraduate students only) for Pre-Completion AT, or
Select "J-1 Academic Training DS-2019 Request", if not enrolling in AIP, or if you are applying for Post-Completion AT.
For J-1 Academic Training DS-2019 Request – for AIP:
- Fill out your request.
- Choose your "Document Delivery Preference".
- Upload a PDF copy of your job offer letter.
- "Submit" your request.
For J-1 Academic Training DS-2019 Request:
- Fill out your request.
- Choose your "Document Delivery Preference".
- Upload a PDF copy of your job offer letter.
- Post-Completion AT applicants:
  - Upload a PDF copy of payment confirmation for the Post-Completion Employment Administrative Processing Fee.
  - Upload a PDF copy of your bank statement(s) or financial support letter(s).
  - Upload a PDF copy of your Evidence of Health Insurance.
- "Submit" your request.

Receive Your AT DS-2019

Your new DS-2019 reflecting your new AT employment authorization and an Employment Authorization Letter will be issued within 10 business days.
You can check the status of your request anytime by logging in to iPortal and clicking on "My Requests" tab.
A notification email will be sent to you when your document is ready.
Sign your new DS-2019 when you receive it, and keep your previous DS-2019 for your records, do NOT throw it away.

Extending or Making Updates to Your AT

Submit another “J-1 Academic Training DS-2019 Request” or an “EAP Academic Training DS-2019 Request” (if you are an EAPR student) in iPortal at least 30 days prior to your current authorization end date if you would like to:

Extend your Academic Training with your current approved employer and are eligible for an extension.
Add another employer to an existing segment of your approved Academic Training.
Extend your Academic Training dates with a new employer (this request requires payment of the $100 Post-Completion Academic Training Processing Fee through Aventri).
- If changing employers while on AT, there cannot be a gap in employment dates. After your current employment has ended, your next employment must start the following day.

Note: If you have received a recommendation for a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement, you are not eligible for an extension of your DS-2019.

Submit J-1 Academic Training Verification Reporting Form in iPortal within 30 days of Employment Start Date

Within 30 days of the start date of your employment, submit the J-1 Academic Training Verification Reporting Form in iPortal to remain in compliance with the J-1 regulations. You will be required to:

Verify your employment start date and employer address.
Verify your address is correct in Tritonlink. You are required to update address within 10 days of moving.
Update verification of adequate health insurance (for post-completion AT only). See more information here.

Maintaining J-1 Status during Academic Training

Report any Employment Changes to ISPO

SEVIS Reporting Requirements

While on Academic Training, you are in J-1 student status and must continue to report certain information about your stay. Please contact ISPO within 10 business days if you:

Change your name.
Change your address in the U.S.
Complete your training early.
Enroll in a new degree program or transfer to another academic program.
Decide to return home permanently.
Complete and submit the Post-Academic Training Report in iPortal at the end of your Academic Training.

Changing Employers

If changing employers while on an approved segment of AT, the next start date of employment with your new employer must begin within 30 days of your previous employment end date.

Enrolling in Classes

Students on post-completion Academic Training are not allowed to pursue a full course of study with a degree or certificate objective. Gaining admission to another school in the U.S. or enrolling full-time will end your Academic Training period because your SEVIS record will be transferred to the new school. However, students can enroll in classes that are incidental (i.e. one or two classes) as long as their primary purpose in the U.S. continues to be full-time employment.

Maintain Health Insurance

As a J-1 student, you are required to have adequate health insurance during your stay in the U.S. If you will be continuing with AT beyond the end of your UC SHIP coverage, please refer to the Health Insurance Requirement Form for guidance on how to purchase health insurance through Garnett-Powers & Associates, or to purchase your own and obtain a waiver.

Spring graduates only: If you are enrolled in the UC SHIP for spring quarter and complete your academic program in the spring quarter, you are eligible for continued coverage through the summer, up to the start of fall quarter.

Learn about Social Security Number and Taxes

Social Security Number (SSN)

You must have a Social Security number (SSN) to be employed in the U.S. This is not the Campus ID number assigned by UC San Diego. Visit our Social Security page for more information.

Taxes

Students in J-1 status are exempt from Social Security tax (FICA), however they are generally subject to federal and state income taxes. Tax forms are available from February through April of each year.

Check the Internal Revenue Service website at irs.gov for federal tax information and the CA Franchise Tax Board at ftb.ca.gov for California tax information. For general tax guidance, visit the International Tax Help page.

Travel while on Post-Completion AT

Students on post-completion Academic Training are still in J-1 student status. To reenter the U.S., you must have:

Current passport that is valid up to six months after reentry date.
Valid J-1 visa.
Current DS-2019 with valid travel signature on page 1.
Original Employment Authorization Letter issued by ISPO.
Original job offer letter or verification of employment from employer.

When you receive post-completion Academic Training, you are extending your J-1 student status in the U.S. It does not include an extension of your J-1 visa stamp in your passport. Students will need to apply for a J-1 visa renewal if they plan to travel outside of the U.S. and their current visa has expired.

Important Note: Students with expired visas on post-completion Academic Training may find it difficult to renew their J-1 visa for academic training purposes. You are required to establish non-immigrant intent every time you apply for a non-immigrant visa. Contact ISPO before planning a trip abroad while on AT.

Complete your AT

All students are required to submit the Post-Academic Training Report in iPortal within 30 days of completing your Academic Training.

If you are completing post-completion Academic Training, you have a 30-day grace period to remain in the U.S. and do one of the following:

Prepare to depart the U.S.
Change your I-94 status. Notify ISPO by providing a copy of your I-797 Receipt Notice.
Transfer to another school in the U.S. Notify ISPO and request a transfer of your SEVIS record to the new school.

During the 30 days of your grace period:

You can remain in the U.S.
You cannot work in the U.S. unless you obtain additional employment authorization under another I-94 status.
Once you depart the U.S., your grace period ends - even if you had time remaining.
To reenter the U.S., you must have a valid visa and I-94 status that corresponds with your primary purpose in the country.