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International Student and Scholar Services

J-1 Academic Training (AT)

Academic Training is a type of work authorization that allows J-1 students to participate in a training experience (either paid or unpaid) that is directly related to their field of study at ISU. AT can occur during (Pre-Completion) or after (Post-Completion) the student has completed their degree program. A student is eligible for 18 months of AT or for the total amount of time the student has studied at ISU, whichever is shorter. PhD students are eligible for 36 months of AT.

How Do I Apply for AT?

You will need help from your Academic Advisor to apply for AT. Learn more about the steps you need to take.

Learn how to apply to AT

Am I Eligible for AT?

  • I have maintained my J-1 status
  • I am in good academic standing at ISU
  • I have a job/internship offer that is directly related to my degree program and contains all of the following points:
    • Job title
    • Name and address of supervisor
    • Specific dates of the training
    • Specific number of hours per week
    • Address of employment work site
    • Description of work to be performed; each of your job duties must list a percentage of the time you will spend on that activity
  • I am able to provide proof of finances for the period of employment (Post-Completion AT only)
  • I am able to maintain health insurance coverage for the period of employment
  • I have not been approved for AT in the past for more than 18 months or the total amount of time I was enrolled at ISU, whichever is shorter (bachelor's and master's students only)
  • I have not been approved for AT in the past for more than 36 months (PhD students only)
  • The start date of my AT is no later than 30 days after my DS-2019 program end date
  • I will apply for AT before my DS-2019 program end date

Employment While on AT

Any employment on AT must be directly related to your field and level of study. If the job has remote components or requirements, J-1 students can participate remotely no more than 40% of the time (e.g., two days out of five) when their host organizations have instituted partial remote policies and their sponsor has approved their hybrid program participation.

AT can be part- or full-time. However, even if AT is part-time, each day deducts a full day from the total amount of time you are eligible for AT.

You cannot begin working on AT until you have your AT DS-2019 and work authorization letter from ISSS and the authorization start date has been reached. You must stop working on the authorized end date unless an extension is approved.

A student authorized for AT may only work for the specific employer at the specific location and for the specific dates approved by ISSS. If there are any changes to this information, you must contact ISSS prior to the change and receive approval from your Academic Advisor. You will be required to submit updated documentation.

Reporting Requirements

While on AT, you are still in J-1 student status and have reporting requirements for ISSS. You must notify ISSS within 10 days of any change(s) in your name, address, or employment information. If any change in this information occurs, please email InternationalStudents@IllinoisState.edu.

Please also notify ISSS if any major change related to your visa status occurs, such as the following:

  • You plan to depart the U.S. prior to your AT end date, with no plans to return and resume AT
  • You plan to transfer to another U.S. institution to begin a new program of study
  • You have applied or been approved for a change of status

Travel on AT

When traveling outside of the U.S. with AT approval, the following documents are required:

  • Valid Passport
  • Valid J-1 Visa
  • I-94 Printout marked D/S
  • DS-2019 with a valid ARO travel signature on page 1 (the signature is valid for 12 months from the date it was signed)
  • Employment letter (stating: start dates, hours, and duties)

Request a travel signature

AT Evaluations

As part of your AT, you must submit an AT Evaluation Form every six months and at the end of your AT period. Your supvervisor fills out section 1, and you fill out section 2. Once your evaluation form is completed and signed, you will upload it to an Academic Training Evaluation Request in the ISSS Portal.