Office of International Services

For J-1 Exchange Visitors

Employment

• Basic Guidelines
• Social Security
• Kinds of Employment
• Maintaining Proper Status (J-1)

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Basic Guidelines

1. Maintain proper status
2. Pursue full course of study (minimum 3.5 units)
3. Maximum 20 hours/week during classes; 40 hours per week during academic breaks
4. All forms of employment require prior approval from this office.

Social Security

1. You will need a social security card to perform any kind of employment in the United States
2. There is a Social Security office in the city of Poughkeepsie. This office will make arrangements to take new students to that office in the fall, and will drive students individually at other times of the year.
3. What you need to bring to the office:
   1. Complete form SS-5 (PDF)
   2. Obtain an employment letter from student employment
   3. Obtain a status letter from this office.
   4. Your I-94
   5. Your passport
   6. Your student ID
   7. Your DS-2019

Kinds of Employment

On Campus Employment

1. Work must be performed directly for Vassar, which includes most campus jobs
2. Work for firms that directly provide services to students (such as Aramark and AAVC) is also permitted
3. Work performed by a graduating senior following graduation does NOT qualify as On-Campus Employment. (this includes Reunion Weekend)

Off Campus Employment

1. Can either be on or off campus
2. Must be necessary because of "serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status."

Employment pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship

Academic Training

1. Academic Training is work, training, or experience related to a student’s field of study. It is similar in nature to that of Optional Practical Training for F-1 students.
2. Eligibility
   1. Student must be in good academic standing
   2. Student must have prior approval from me
   3. Employment must be in your area of study
   4. Must be done with a specific employer or training site
3. Time Limitations
   1. J-1 students at Vassar are eligible for up to 9 months of academic training
   2. Academic training may be full or part time, and take place during and/or after completion of program of study
4. How to Apply
   1. Schedule a meeting with me if you are interested in pursuing academic training.

Social Security

Maintaining Proper Status (J-1)

1. Attend school listed on your visa/DS-2019
2. Retain full-time academic status (3.5+ credits)
3. Maintain a valid passport and I-94 (marked D/S)
4. No unauthorized employment
5. Obey state and federal laws
6. Inform me of any changes w/in 10 days
7. When traveling, return in J-1 status
8. Carry appropriate health insurance

SEVIS

1. SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
2. SEVIS "is a web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the United States."
3. The mission of SEVIS is "to balance Homeland Security with facilitating foreign student and exchange visitor participation in America's outstanding academic and cultural exchange programs."
4. The Office of International Services is required to regularly report on the status of international students studying on F-1 and J-1 visas.

Making changes

1. If your status as a full time student at Vassar or any information on your DS-2019 is going to or does change, let me know immediately.

Travel

1. When traveling, always return to the United States in J-1 visa status.

Family Visits