J-1 students eligible for AT are:

• Primarily in the United States to study rather than engage in academic training
• In good academic standing and inside the U.S. upon arrival
• Maintaining legal status
• Offered a paid or unpaid position related to their field of study before the expiration of the student’s DS-2019
• Able to show proof of insurance and sufficient funding for the duration of the AT period requested

NOTE: J-1 students who are considering to apply (or have applied) for the waiver of INA 212(e), please be aware that once the Waiver Review Division has approved your waiver request, the ISSS office is unable to extend your program beyond the current end date on your DS-2019. 

J-1 degree-seeking students may be authorized for AT for up to 18 months, or an amount of time equal to length of the program, whichever is less. Students pursuing post-doctoral research, may be authorized for an additional 18 months (total 36 months) of AT.

The maximum length of time a J-1 non-degree student can be approved for AT is equal to the time already spent in their J-1 program. J-1 non-degree students are limited to a total stay of 24 months (inclusive of all study and AT time).

Part-time or full-time academic training is permitted during or following the completion of the J-1 student’s program. All academic training is counted as full time, even if employment is on a part-time basis.

J-1 students in STEM fields please see HERE.

The U.S. Department of State (Department) has extended the Academic Training STEM Extension until June 30, 2026, which allows undergraduate and master level students in STEM fields to be eligible for up 36 months of academic training. 

• This would give "undergraduate and pre-doctoral degree-seeking students" in STEM fields eligibility for up to 36 months of academic training, which is the same amount that J-1 PhD students currently have in any field.
• Students eligible for this special STEM academic training extension are eligible only for "up to" 36 months of authorization or the period of the full course of study in the United States, whichever is less. 
• Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to apply for this special STEM academic training extension

1. Review this website, confirm you understand the Eligibility Requirements, and contact Carissa McCarthy at carissam@global.rutgers.edu for an appointment.
    
2. Obtain an official job offer letter from your prospective employer including:
   1. Name and address of employer on letterhead
   2. Start and end dates of the training/employment
   3. Salary amount, or if the position is unpaid and job title
   4. A list or explanation of major job responsibilities and if there is any remote work, explain the remote and in-person schedule
   5. Signature (ink or electronic) from employer and date
       
3. Request a complete description of your health insurance benefits and a letter from your employer indicating the date your benefits will begin. This information may be included in the letter described above. If no health benefits are provided by your employer, you are required to show proof of alternate health insurance coverage for the full period you are authorized for AT.
    
4. Discuss your plans with your Academic Official or Graduate Program Director for evaluation and approval, as they will need to submit electronic approval later.
    
5. Submit your completed application online through the RGlobal portal. A completed AT application includes:
   1. Official job offer letter
   2. Proof of health insurance coverage
   3. Proof of funding to cover living expenses, if employment is unpaid or salary insufficient to cover total expenses. If your AT salary covers your your living expenses and/or tuition, you do not need to show additional funding (unless needed for dependents. etc). To verify the amount of required living expenses, please review the Certification of Funds form.
   4. Name and email address of your academic official, who will respond to the request to confirm your academic program.
       
6. Pick up new DS-2019 that includes the AT authorization information and your AT letter, after receiving an email from an international student adviser saying it’s ready.

You must apply for AT BEFORE the expiration of your DS-2019 and the completion of degree requirements. Applications should be submitted at least two weeks before your anticipated start date.

AT must be granted by the program sponsor (Rutgers) in writing BEFORE the student is permitted to begin the training. AT is authorized for a specific job(s) within specific start and end dates, as indicated on an updated DS-2019. This updated DS-2019 with specifics of your AT is proof of employment authorization that you must present to your employer.

AT allows for more than one position at a time, as long as ALL positions are related to your degree and field of study. However, separate AT requests are needed for EACH and EVERY position.

While you are on AT, you are obliged by law to notify Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services of all changes in your U.S. address, telephone number, or email address within 10 days of the change taking effect.

J-1 students are required to report any serious incidents or problems encountered during their time in the United States to Rutgers Global – International Student and Scholar Services, in accordance with the Department of State’s guidelines. The examples provided in these guidelines are not meant to be exhaustive (i.e., there may be other serious situations, not listed below, that have or could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor or otherwise could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor's exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute).

In order to be eligible for a change of employer or extension of AT, your DS-2019 must be valid.

If changing employers while on post-completion AT, there CANNOT be a gap in employment dates. Post-completion AT must be continuous.

If you need to extend your authorized academic training period, you will need submit a completed AT application at least two weeks prior to the expiration of your DS-2019.

Leaving or Departing the U.S.

After the completion of AT, J-1 students have a grace period of 30 days within which to depart the United States.

• Log in to the RGlobal portal
• Click J-1 Student Services
• Click Close SEVIS Record

Transferring Out

Students who have been admitted to a new school (not Rutgers), can asked to have their J-1 status transferred to the new school. This requires the "release" of a student's J-1 record so they can receive new DS-2019. Please contact the ISSS office for more details and instructions at ISSS-students@global.rutgers.edu. 

Changing Status

If you have changed your legal status and are (or will no longer be) a J-1 student, please follow the instructions below and submit proof of your new visa status.

• Log in to the RGlobal portal
• Click J-1 Student Services
• Click Close SEVIS Record