J-1 Employment Overview

On-campus employment is defined by federal regulations as:

• On the school premises (University of Wisconsin-Madison campus)
  • Work that takes place at your school location could be for an on-campus commercial business, like a bookstore or cafeteria, as long as the work directly provides services for students.
  • Employment located on-campus that does not directly involve services to students (such as construction work) does not qualify as on-campus employment.
• Educationally affiliated off-campus location
  • Work with an employer that is contractually affiliated with the school is on-campus employment even if the work site is not located on the campus (such as a research lab affiliated with your school).
• On-campus employment must not displace a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR).

During Fall/Spring:

• 20 hours per week, all positions combined, no exceptions.
  • Restrictions begin on the Sunday before classes start. Click here for semester start dates.

During authorized vacation periods (spring, summer, winter breaks):

• Over 20 hours per week is possible; no limit imposed by immigration regulations
  • Winter 2025/2026 dates: Sunday, December 14, 202 – Saturday, January 17, 2026
  • Spring 2026 dates: Sunday, March 29 – Saturday, April 04
  • Summer 2026 dates: Sunday, May 03 – Saturday August 29
    • If you have an DS-2019 program start date or program end date for summer, you are limited to 20 hours per week.
• UW may limit to no more than 29 hours per week (this is institutional policy for student hourly positions; consult with your payroll specialist to confirm)
• Must have been enrolled full-time before vacation period
• Must intend to enroll full-time after vacation period

Year-round:

• Students can work on-campus from 30 days before DS-2019 start date until DS-2019 end date. 

Looking for an on-campus job? Search the Student Job Center, SuccessWorks, Career Exploration Center (CEC), Career services offices and department websites for postings!

If your job offer is from a different location than those listed below, contact ISS for guidance. You must have approval from ISS before you begin any off-campus employment.

• On-campus employment includes work in student unions, libraries, recreational centers, and in academic and administrative departments on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.
• Administrative Transformation Project: 700 Regent Street only
• Aquatic Sciences Center
• Campus Event Services for UW events at on-campus locations
  • Ex.: The Kohl Center, Camp Randall, etc.
• Contemporary Services Corporation (Only on-campus locations)
  • Doing security events at the Kohl Center or Camp Randall
• Enrollment Management
• Facilities Planning and Management
• Hillel Center
• Lowell Center
• Private residence hall: Zoe Bayliss
• State Cartographer’s Office
• The University Hospital and Clinics: 600 Highland Avenue only
• The Daily Cardinal
• The Fluno Center
• The Kohl Center
• The Pyle Center
• The Lowell Center
• The JF Fredrick Center
• University Housing and Apartments
• UW Credit Union: Union South location only
• USDA Dairy Forage Research Center: UW-Madison campus location with CALS only
  
• UW Bookstore: State Street location only
• UW Research Centers and Programs   
• Waisman Center
• Wisconsin Alumni Association
• Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
• Wisconsin Idea Internship Program (hosted by Division of Extension)
• Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery
• Wisconsin Public Radio

This list is not exhaustive.

• All businesses on State Street
• Private residence halls as listed below:
  • The Highlander, The Langdon, Princeton House, The Regent, The Statesider, The Towers, and Brittingham House
• City of Madison
• Fresh Market
• Madison Metro
• Madison VA Hospital
• Wisconsin Historical Society
• Other University of Wisconsin campuses
  • Ex.: UW-Whitewater, UW-Oshkosh, etc.
• The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
• UniverCity Alliance
• UW Clinics: all locations other than 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI
• UW Credit Union: all locations other than Union South

A volunteer position must meet the following conditions: 

• No expectation of compensation 

• The volunteer cannot displace a genuine employee 

• The services provided by the volunteer should not be the same services for which he or she was previously paid and/or expects to be hired and paid for in the future 

• Services are performed for a non-profit organization for public service, religious or humanitarian objective 

Working for profit entity is considered employment and must be for pay or must meet the criteria for an unpaid internship. If you engage in volunteer activities, ISS recommends that you get a letter from the volunteer organization to keep in your permanent records. 

Common volunteer places include a literacy network, homeless shelter, food pantry, animal shelter, etc.  

Badger Volunteers is a campus resource for volunteer and public service activities.