1	"University of Florida International Center" University of Florida International Center
2	"On-Campus Employment" On-Campus Employment Scholarship, Fellowship, and Assistantship OPS Employment Off-Campus Employment Unforeseen Economic Circumstances Special Asian Student Relief Academic Training (AT) Non-UF Sponsored Student Employment J-2 Visa Employment
3	"Employment related to the terms..." Employment related to the terms of your scholarship, fellowship or assistantship Student is in good academic standing at the post-secondary accredited educational institution. Student continues to engage in full course of study, except for official school breaks and the student’s annual vacation. Employment totals no more than 20 hours per week or a .50 FTE appointment or less. Depending on scholarship, student may engage on OPS employment up to 20 hours per week. (Please consult with UFIC).
4	"OPS employment occurs on the..." OPS employment occurs on the premises of the post-secondary accredited educational institution the student is authorized to attend Student is in good academic standing at the post-secondary accredited educational institution. Student continues to engage in full course of study, except for official school breaks and the student’s annual vacation. Employment totals no more than 20 hours per week, except during official school breaks and the student’s annual vacation, when it may be full time.
5	"A student may be authorized..." A student may be authorized for off-campus employment when necessary because of serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status. Authorization must be approved by your student advisor before employment begins. Off-campus employment is available up to 20 hours per week.
6	"Students in J-1 status whose..." Students in J-1 status whose means of financial support come from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, or the Philippines, and whose financial support has been disrupted, reduced, or eliminated due to economic crises in that country may be authorized for full- or part-time employment on- or off-campus. Reduced Course Load If a reduction in course load is necessary due to employment, such students will still be considered full-time if they are: Undergraduates enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, or Graduate students enrolled in at least 3 credit hours.
7	"Academic training is work" Academic training is work, training, or experience related to a student’s field of study. Academic training may involve a number of paid or unpaid teaching or performance opportunities. Academic training may involve sequential or simultaneous activities, either paid or unpaid, with several employers, US or foreign, provided the application and approval procedures are followed for each employer and activity, and the time limits are not exceeded. A student may participate in academic training programs during his or her studies, without wages or other remuneration, with the approval of the academic dean or advisor and the international student adviser. A student may be authorized to participate in academic training programs for wages or remuneration during his or her studies or commencing not later than thirty (30) days after completion of his or her studies.
8	"The student must be in..." The student must be in the US primarily to study rather than engage in AT. AT must be done with a specific employer or training site, and be directly related to the major field of study listed on the DS-2019. The student must be in good standing. The student must receive written approval in advance from the international student adviser for the duration of the academic training. AT is permitted at any stage of a student’s program, while the student is enrolled in school or after completion of the program.
9	"Students in degree programs are..." Students in degree programs are permitted an overall limit of 18 months, which included all AT, whether before or after completion of studies. The total training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study. An exception to this limitation allows additional time beyond 18 months “to the extent necessary for the exchange visitor to satisfy the mandatory requirements of his or her degree program in the US.
10	"For students in a prescribed..." For students in a prescribed course of study in a non-degree program, the regulations indicate that the total stay is limited to a total of 24 months, inclusive of all study time and any authorized AT.
11	"For postdoctoral training after completion..." For postdoctoral training after completion of a US degree the overall limit is 36 months. A new Form DS-2019 must be issued for the second 18 months.
12	"ALL academic training is counted..." ALL academic training is counted as full time, even if employment is on a part-time basis.
13	"Letter of recommendation from the..." Letter of recommendation from the student’s academic advisor to include the following: The goals and objectives of the specific training program. A description of the training program, including its location, the name and the address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training. How the training relates to the student’s major field of study. Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the exchange visitor student.
14	"Start date of post-completion AT" Start date of post-completion AT The regulations state that a student may be authorized to participate in AT “commencing no later than thirty (30) days after completion of his or her studies”. Please note that it is still important that the student’s DS-2019 remain valid at all times. Paid vs Unpaid training The wording of the regulations seems to permit unpaid academic training only prior to completion of the program. While less common than paid work, unpaid AT is a significant part of some disciplines, Unpaid post-completion academic training can be approved if the student has adequate funding to cover his/her expenses.
15	"Employment or AT for Fulbright" Employment or AT for Fulbright, FORD, VEF, USAID, etc. J-1 Students : Must contact sponsor for authorization Will depend on terms of contract; may lose funds if employment income exceeds a set amount Some countries do not allow AT
16	"Employment of J-2 Dependents" Employment of J-2 Dependents J-2 Employment Application EAD Card and Length of Employment Authorization Extending J-2 Employment Authorization Social Security and other Taxes
17	"J-2 dependents are permitted to..." J-2 dependents are permitted to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) from USCIS in order to be employed in the US. The J-2 may begin employment only after receiving the EAD from USCIS. J-2 dependents are eligible to apply to USCIS for employment authorization so long as the employment is not for the purpose of supporting the J-1.
18	"Applications for employment authorization are..." Applications for employment authorization are made to the USCIS Service Center with jurisdiction over the J-2’s place of residence. The application consists of the following: Form I-765 Form I-765 Fee 2 photos Copy of the current DS-2019 of the J2 Copy of the current DS-2019 of the J-1 Copies of forms I-94 of both the J1 and the J2 Letter from the J-2 stating why the employment is desired, indicating the source and amount of support for the principal participant, and specifically stating that the income derived from employment will not be used for the support of the J-1 exchange visitor. A J-2 does not need to demonstrate financial need to receive employment authorization.
19	"If permission for employment is..." If permission for employment is granted, an employment authorization document (EAD) is issued and is valid for any kind of full-time or part-time employment for the period of the time stated on the EAD card. Although the regulations permit employment authorization to be granted for J-2 employment up to 4 years at a time, USCIS practice is to limit issuance of all EAD’s to no more than one year. In any case J-2 employment authorization may not exceed the program duration indicated on the principal’s DS-2019. In addition, the J-2 employment authorization is valid only if the J-1 is maintaining status.
20	"A J-2 spouse or dependent..." A J-2 spouse or dependent child must file form I-765 with all supporting documentation each time an extension of employment authorization is necessary. Since the EAD cannot be issued for longer than the validity of the DS-2019, any necessary extension of stay of the J-1 must be processed prior to the application for extension of J-2 employment authorization. In order to avoid interruptions in J-2 employment, it is important to file the form I-765 for extension of employment authorization sufficiently in advance so the extension is approved before the expiration of the current employment authorization. J-2 employment authorization expires with the expiration of the EAD, and the mere filing of an application for new authorization does not permit employment during the adjudication process. If the current EAD has expired, the J-2 must cease employment until receiving the new EAD.
21	"Unlike J-1exchange visitors" Unlike J-1exchange visitors, J-2 dependents are subject to Social Security taxes. They are also subject to federal income taxes, and where applicable, state income taxes (See IRS publication 519, United States Tax Guide for Aliens.) J-2 dependent will not be able to obtain a Social Security number unless in possession of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
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