On-Campus Employment
J-1 students must first receive the approval of the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) at the ISSC for any on-campus employment. Employment may not exceed 20 hours per week during academic semesters, and you must be in good academic standing and remain full-time in your school program. You do not need to demonstrate financial hardship to receive this permission. On-campus employment requires a U.S. Social Security Number. Information about obtaining a Social Security Number is available at the International Student & Scholar Center and at the ISSC website.
Off-Campus Employment for Economic Necessity
J-1 students may apply at the ISSC for off-campus employment authorization if they are experiencing financial hardship caused by urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances that happened after the start of the J-1 exchange visit and affect the amount of money available while at UMass Dartmouth. Make an appointment with us in the ISSC to discuss the circumstances.
If granted an off-campus employment authorization, the J-1 student may work only part-time up to 20 hours per week during the school semester and full time during the summer or official school vacations. The student must continue to be in good academic standing in a full-time study program.
Academic Training
Academic training involves work, training, or experience related to a student’s field of study; and it may be paid or unpaid. Please see this separate section for details about academic training.
J-2 Visa Holders
J-2 visa holders (family traveling with the J-1 visa students or scholars) may work in some circumstances, by application through the ISSC and approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security. Please consult the ISSC for help. (See also Spouse or Dependents .)
If the employment approval is granted, the J-2 family member will need to apply for a Social Security Number. See information about how to obtain a Social Security Number on the ISSC website.
Updated 6/28/2012
