The information below is designed as a general overview for international students currently in J-1 visa status. It will provide you with an introduction to how employment is defined by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and the various categories of J-1 employment authorization which may be available to you under the regulations published by the Department of State. If Harvard is your program sponsor e.g. the HIO issued your Form DS-2019 visa document, then your advisor in the HIO can authorize employment on your behalf. If your program sponsor is an agency such as AID or Fulbright, a representative of the agency must grant your work authorization.
Definition of employment
Employment is defined as any type of work performed or services provided in
exchange for money, tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, food, or any other
benefit.
Some notes of caution
Do not assume that you are automatically eligible to work in the United States. The USCIS considers unauthorized employment to be the most serious violation
of your J-1 status. Please consult with your advisor in the HIO before accepting
any employment.
If you are not working under the provisions of Academic Training, you are limited to working a total of 20 hours per week while school is in session. You may work full-time during official school breaks and vacation periods, including summer vacations provided you are eligible to register for the next school term.
Types of employment
You are eligible for the following types of employment if you are registered,
studying full-time and are in good academic standing.
On Campus Employment:
- Employment required by a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship. This kind of work would occur on campus with Harvard University as the employer. It would normally be noted on your DS-2019 and no additional authorization documentation would be necessary.
- On-campus employment unrelated to study. The regulations, in allowing for jobs on campus that are unrelated to study, stipulate that the work be done on Harvard's premises.
Off Campus Employment:
- Off-campus jobs to meet urgent, unforeseen need. The regulations stipulate that you must demonstrate that you have serious and urgent financial need that you did not foresee when you became a J-l student or when you enrolled at Harvard. The HIO has a budget sheet for you to complete to help demonstrate this need. To access the budget sheet, click here.
- Academic Training. For more information about Academic Training, click here.
Employment Eligibility Verification
Within the first three days of beginning work, you and your employer must
complete a form entitled Employment Eligibility Verification (USCIS Form I-9),
which will be kept by the employer. You may need your passport and visa documents
proving that you are authorized to be employed in the United States to complete
the Form I-9. The Form I-9 must be updated each time you receive a renewal
of your permission to work or change employers.