Employment

J-1 students must receive the approval of the Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible (Office of Academic Affairs/Graduate Studies) for any kind of employment. Eligibility guidelines are explained below. Employment may not exceed 20 hours per week during academic semesters, and you must be in good standing and remain full-time in your program. You do not need to demonstrate financial hardship to receive this permission. Student employment requires a U.S. Social Security Number. Information about obtaining a Social Security Number is available at the International Student Center.

Off-Campus Employment for Economic Necessity

You must have our approval to enter into such employment, in the form of a letter that you take to the off-campus employer along with your passport, visa, and Form DS 2019. You must demonstrate financial hardship to receive this permission. Financial hardship usually means an unexpected change in your financial circumstances that affects the amount of money you were expecting to use at UMass Dartmouth. Make an appointment with us in the Office of Academic Affairs/Graduate Studies to discuss the circumstances.

J-2 visa holders (dependents of J-1 visastudents or scholars) may work in some circumstances, subject to application through our office and approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security. J-2 visa holders may not work without obtaining such approval. (See Spouse or Dependents link at left.)

 Last Updated On: 11/15/05