J-1 On Campus Employment 

On-Campus Employment Authorization:

On-campus employers must provide a direct service to the campus community (students, scholars, staff, etc.).

Students must receive work authorization from ISEO through the J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Request in iServices for:

• Any on-campus paid positions, such as assistantships (TA, GSR) and fellowships, and other paid positions not related to your course of study.
• Any on-campus unpaid internships.

You do not need authorization for:

• Volunteering positions, defined as donating time with an organization whose primary purpose is charitable or humanitarian in nature, without remuneration or any other type of compensation.

Eligibility:

• You are in good academic standing.
• You continue to engage in a full course of study, except for official school breaks and the student's annual vacation.
  • Note that employment extending past the program end date of your current DS-2019 cannot be considered on-campus employment and requires post-completion Academic Training (AT) employment authorization.
• You have received authorization from ISEO for the specific employment in advance and in writing.

Your on-campus employment is limited to maximum of 20 hours per week (or 50% time) while school is in session. It can be full-time during official school breaks and the student's annual vacation.

On-Campus Assistantships or Fellowships:

If your employment is pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship or assistantship, you are required to obtain prior work authorization from ISEO. Please follow the application guidelines outlined below.

Remote Work:

Under current Department of State guidance released on July 10, 2023, UC San Diego J-1 students who are enrolled at UC San Diego are eligible to work on a limited hybrid schedule with "on-campus employment". However, they may not work remotely (from a residential address) for their employer/organizations for more than 40% per week (e.g., no more than two days out of a five-day work week).

J-1 students who are offered on-campus employment must request authorization from ISEO. Authorization cannot be given retroactively, so plan accordingly and submit your request at least 10 business days prior to beginning employment.

Submit a J-1 On Campus Employment Authorization Request in iServices:

• Find the Working in the U.S. category in the left menu.
  • Select the J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Request.
• Prepare a PDF copy of your job offer letter from your on-campus employer.
  • Sample job offer letter
  • Letter to your employer
• You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been successfully submitted.
• ISEO has an average processing time of 10 business days. You will be notified via email when your request is complete.

Social Security Number: 

 If you also need to get a Social Security Number (SSN), an SSA Application Support Letter will also be prepared and uploaded as a part of this request. See our Social Security Number page for more information on how to get an SSN.

Authorization can be given for up to 12 months at a time maximum, but only for the specified dates on your job offer letter. If you need to extend beyond the end date of your current authorization, then submit a new J-1 On Campus Employment Authorization Request in iServices at least 10 business days before your current authorization letter expires.

Before your current on-campus work authorization expires, allow yourself enough time to:

• Obtain an updated job offer letter from your employer.
  • Sample job offer letter
  • Letter to your employer
• Obtain updated J-1 On Campus Employment Authorization through iServices

On-campus work authorization cannot be backdated, and starting employment without receiving appropriate authorization could have a negative impact on your J-1 status.