Northern Virginia Center

J-1 Employment

J-1 degree students

J-1 degree students who are in good academic standing may obtain authorization for work off-campus, as part of an academic training experience. After completing studies, J-1 students are eligible to work for up to 18 months if the job qualifies as "academic training." Students pursing post-doctoral studies are eligible for an additional 18 months of training, for a total of 36 months. Academic training must be integral to your program, recommended by your dean or academic advisor and authorized by the Responsible Officer of your exchange-visitor program. Post-completion academic training must be authorized before your current DS-2019 expires.

Required Documentation:

  • A completed J1 Student Practical Academic Training Packet
  • An offer letter from the employer for Academic Training. This letter should be on official company letterhead and include: a general description of the training, the name of the training supervisor, the dates of the training, work hours per week and the amount of compensation, if any, that you will receive for the training.
  • Insurance Certification. Students must purchase GM Southwest Insurance or have their insurance comply with Alternative Health Insurance Compliance Form.

J1 Two-Year Home Residency Requirement

The J-1 Exchange Visitor program is administered by the United States Department of State. Exchange Visitors (including students and scholars) are, under certain circumstances, subject to the "two-year home country residence requirement" which obligates some J-1 visa holders to return to their country of nationality or permanent residence for an aggregate of at least two years upon completion of their program. [Code of Federal Regulations 22 514.31 (a) (1)]. WAIVER

J1 Non Degree Students-Exchange Students

J-1 degree students who are in good academic standing may obtain authorization for work off-campus, as part of an academic training experience and agreements between Virginia Polytechnic Institute and consortium universities. Length of work is equivalent to length of academic studies. Post-completion academic training must be authorized before your current DS-2019 expires. Studies and academic practical training are limited to a total of two years for non-degree students.

Required Documentation:

  • A completed J1 Non-degree Academic Training Packet
  • An offer letter from the employer for Academic Training. This letter should be on official company letterhead and include: a general description of the training, the name of the training supervisor, the dates of the training, work hours per week and the amount of compensation, if any, that you will receive for the training. Example Letter
  • Insurance Certification. Students must present active health insurance for the each semester or year at Virginia Tech. Minimum health insurance requirements as specified by the Department of State.