("Academic Training")J-1 students may be authorized to participate in a program of practical training called "Academic Training" for a total of 18 months. (For students pursuing post doctoral research only, the "Academic Training" may be authorized for 36 months.) The training may occur, as needed, while school is in session (part time only, unless required by the curriculum to be full time), during summer or other vacation periods and/or after completion of a course of studies (full time only). The academic training must be directly related to the student's major field of study, and the student must be in status and in good academic standing to be eligible. "Academic Training" must be granted by the program sponsor in writing before a student is permitted to begin the training. Academic Training is authorized for a specific job or jobs. It is not "blanket" work permission in your field of study. Application for J-1 academic training is made directly to the Responsible Officer of the J-1 program, which at Rutgers University is your international student adviser in the Center for International Faculty and Student Services.
For undergraduate students, the application must contain a recommendation from the academic dean; for graduate students, a recommendation is required from the academic adviser or graduate program director. Authorization is given by the international student adviser in the form of a letter and is granted, within its regulatory limits, for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training.
To be eligible for academic training after completion of studies, you must present a job offer letter no more than 30 days after the date your academic adviser certifies you completed all requirements for your degree. The job itself does not have to begin within 30 days of completion, however. Regulations require your academic training program to be evaluated for effectiveness in achieving its goals and objectives.
Obtain from your prospective employer the following:
Show the employer's letter to your academic dean (undergraduates) or adviser or graduate director (graduate students) and obtain a letter from him or her which details the following:
Bring to your international student adviser your:
Authorization will be granted in the form of a letter. The initial authorization may not be for a period which extends beyond the ending date on your current Form IAP-66. In any case, it may not be granted for more than 18 months, unless you have an offer for a post-doctoral position, in which case it may be granted for up to 36 months.
If an extension of stay is required to obtain the remainder of your practical training, you will need to apply about two months prior to the expiration of your IAP-66. The new IAP-66 will state that you are applying for an extension and the rest of your practical training allotment. Procedures if you lose or wish to change your job Because Academic Training is authorized for a specific job, if you lose your job during the authorized period, your Academic Training authorization automatically expires. You would then be required to leave the U.S. or change to another nonimmigrant status within 30 days of the day you stopped working. If you wish to change your job, you must go through the entire application procedure outlined above (employer's letter, adviser's letter, international student adviser authorization) prior to beginning the new job.
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