J-1 Visa Employment

J-1 employment benefits are available to students who have maintained active and lawful J-1 student status and meet the followng basic eligibility requirements:

  • Student is in good academic standing
  • Student continues to engage in a full course of study
  • Employment totals no more than 20 hours per week
  • GSS and the hiring department have provided prior approval to the specific employment in advance

Students should not work without prior authorization from GSS.  Failure to obtain prior authorization constitutes a serious violation of U.S. immigration regulations.

J-1 students are eligible for the following employment options and can explore our website for further information.

  • Employment pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship
  • On-campus employment at Wesleyan University only
  • J-1 Academic Training
  • Employment based on severe and unforeseen economic hardship

NOTE:

The information on this website is intended for J-1 students sponsored by Wesleyan University only. 

J-1 students may be sponsored either by Weslyan or by an external organization, such as the Institute of International Education (IIE), LASPAU, or AMIDEAST.  If you are a J-1 student sponsored by an external organization, you MUST contact your sponsor (the person who signed your DS-2019) to request information about your employment benefits and/or authorization for any specific job offer. 

Even though you are enrolled as a Wesleyan University student, authorization for employment (including on-campus employment) is granted by your visa sponsor, not by Wesleyan University. 

Types of Employment: