On-campus Employment
A student in J-1 status may work up to 20 hours per week on-campus while enrolled in a full course of study. On-campus jobs include work in the UW student unions, libraries, recreational centers, and in academic and administrative departments. J-1 Students require permission in advance to engage in part-time work on-campus. You must request permission from your J-1 program sponsor; your sponsor is listed in Box #2 of your DS-2019. Students sponsored by UW-Madison must complete the J-1 On-campus Employment Application in Terra Dotta.
Once you have received permission from your J-1 sponsor, you will need to show your employer documents which establish your identification and employment eligibility, as listed on the I-9 form which all new employees must complete. There is no exception to the 20 hour-per-week maximum, even if the employment is a teaching or project assistantship. J-1 regulations allow you to exceed 20 hours a week during vacation periods (summer, winter, and spring breaks) for students who have maintained full time status before the vacation period and intend to register for the following semester. Please work with your employer(s) on campus to ensure that you are following campus policies on total number of hours of work during summer, winter, and spring breaks as well.
Off-campus Employment for J-1 Students: Academic Training
J-1 students may be eligible to work off-campus to gain work experience in their field of study through Academic Training (AT). AT may take place before or after the completion of your degree and requires authorization from your J-1 sponsor; your sponsor is listed in Box #2 of your DS-2019. Students sponsored by UW-Madison must complete the J-1 Academic Training Application in their Terra Dotta portal. The PDF regarding J-1 Academic Training Information (below) includes further details about AT.
J-2 Employment
For J-2 employment, please see J-2 Employment Authorization Handout