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International Students and Scholars

"Employment" is any type of work performed or any type of services provided in exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, service or any other benefit.

 

Exchange visitor (EV) students sponsored by Oklahoma State University are eligible to participate in activities authorized for their particular programs. In most cases, students who hold J-1 visas are eligible for authorized employment, as defined by J-1 visa regulations, with the approval of their Responsible Officer. Those sponsored by other agencies will have specific rules governing employment. Please note that engaging in any unauthorized employment is a violation of J-1 program and immigration status.

 

Exchange Visitors are eligible for "Student Employment" provided they

  • hold a valid J-1 status in the student category
  • are registered and studying full time
  • are in good academic standing at Oklahoma State University
  • have received approval from the J-1 Responsible Officer for specific employment in advance and in writing.

EVs must obtain approval in writing from the J-1 Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) before engaging in any type of employment. The J-1 Responsible Officer is the person who issues the DS-2019 forms and who must evaluate the proposed employment in the context of an EV’s program and personal circumstances.

 

If Oklahoma State University is the EV’s sponsor, the J-1 Responsible Officer in the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) will approve employment. If an EV is sponsored by another Agency (IIE, AED, CIES, etc.), the EV must first contact their RO/ARO to ask for permission to work then submit this approval to the J-1 RO/ARO at OSU. ISS can assist EVs with contacting sponsor, but it has no authority to grant permission to work in these cases.

 

Once permission to work is granted by the J-1 Responsible Officer, the EV will obtain an OSU work permit through the ISS Employment Coordinator.

There are two categories of employment available to J-1 Students:

  • Student Employment
  • Academic Training

Student Employment

With the written permission of their program sponsors, Exchange Visitors (EV) are eligible for J-1 "Student Employment". Student Employment is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. The 20-hour week limit applies to all types of student employment. EVs may work full-time during official school breaks, vacation periods and summer vacation, provided they are eligible and intend to register for the next school term. The J-1 Responsible Officer can approve student employment for up to one year at a time. For example, a 20-hour per week graduate assistantship fill the hour’s one could work during a fall or spring semester.

 

First, you must talk to your J-1 Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) about why you want or need to work and what job would suit you best. Your J-1 RO/ARO must issue a memo giving you authorization to work. Once you have authorization to work on campus, you must obtain the OSU International Work Permit Form.

 

*If you are sponsored by another agency, your J-1 RO/ARO will provide you with written authorization to work. Additionally, if you are a sponsored student receiving a scholarship or grant, you must have a written job offer before beginning this process.

 

There are three types of jobs that qualify as "Student Employment":

Academic Training

"Academic Training" is employment for any employer in the field of the J-1 student’s academic program in the United States. It is flexible in its format and offers a variety of employment opportunities to supplement formal education during and after a program of study. As long as the EV stays within the stipulated time limits, Academic Training allows an EV to work part-time while classes are in session and full-time during vacation periods. Under certain circumstances, an EV may interrupt study to work full-time, for example while writing a thesis. J-1 students in non-degree programs are also eligible for "Academic Training".

 

Click here for the Academic Training Request Form.

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