In order to maintain your student status, it is important that all J-1 exchange students review and understand the information contained in this section. If you are unsure if your plans are compliant with immigration regulations, always contact the McGlothlin Center for Global Education and Engagement before moving forward with your plans. You can contact us at globaled@radford.edu or visit us in Cook Hall 105.
Full-Time Status: All J-1 students must be enrolled full-time during the Fall and Spring semesters. Full-time status for undergraduates is 12 credits per semester and full-time status for graduate students is 9 credits per semester.
Online Courses: While in the U.S., undergraduate and graduate students may take no more than one (1) three-credit online course to meet the minimum full-time enrollment requirement. Any credits earned above the minimum enrollment can be any learning experience.
Reduced Course Load (RCL): A student with J-1 student status may not reduce his or her course load below full-time without prior permission from their International Student Advisor. In cases where an RCL this is allowed, a must be completed prior to dropping any courses in order to properly document the reduction in the student鈥檚 immigration file.
Per immigration regulations, a reduced course load may be taken only for the following reasons and typically only for one semester during each education level:
Documentation supporting your request must be submitted to the International Student Advisor and approved prior to dropping any courses. Failure to submit this documentation on time will be considered a violation of your immigration status and will be reported to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
On-campus employment refers to:
J-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. In addition, J-1 students who are employed are required to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN). To obtain a SSN, please see the tab below.
Academic Training (AT) is authorized to J-1 students for employment that is related to their field of study and is integral to their academic objective. Academic training must be a direct application of coursework or research to a professional position in the student鈥檚 field of study. The academic advisor must evaluate an academic training request as connected to the student鈥檚 major field of study. Academic training may be on- or off-campus employment.
Please note that the fact that the employment is in a related field is not sufficient for it to qualify as academic training. The work must be integral to the academic program and have a clear academic objective.
The length of time for which a student can be authorized for AT depends on the length of the J-1 status. Students are eligible for AT equal to the length of the J-1 program, not to exceed 18 months. Every month that a student is authorized is deducted as a month used, whether the permission is part-time, full-time, or unused.
Important Notes
To apply for AT, an F-1 student must complete an , gather all additional necessary documentation, and make an appointment with the International Student Advisor. AT authorization must be received prior to the beginning of any work.
The Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to those individuals who are eligible to work in the United States. The SSN is required in order to be paid for any work you do in the U.S. whether it is on-campus or for practical training. Though the SSN is only required to be paid by an employer, many other institutions in the U.S. ask for a SSN (for example, banks, cell phone vendors, the Department of Drivers Licenses), and it is generally easier to obtain services from these institutions if you already have a SSN. You are under no obligation to obtain a SSN; however, if you plan to work in the United States, you will need to obtain one.
When you go to apply for your social security number, please bring the following original documents with you:
Important Notes
On-campus jobs: If you have secured a job on campus, you will need a letter from the 福利导在线观看 department who hired you on school letterhead. If employment on campus is with an employer other than 福利导在线观看, such as an approved commercial corporation providing student services on campus (for example, Chartwells and the RU Bookstore), the letter must be on their letterhead. The letter must containing the following information:
In addition to the letter from the employer, you will need a letter from the McGlothlin Center for Global Education and Engagement supporting your application. Once you have secured the documents above, please make an appointment with our office to obtain our letter.
Off-campus jobs:
Academic Training: If you have been issued AT authorization for an internship, no
letter from the employer is necessary but recommended. The authorization for your
CPT will also be noted in your DS-2019.
It takes approximately 3-4 weeks for the SSA to issue your SSN and card. However,
it sometimes takes much longer. The SSA must verify your student status with the US
Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) before issuing you a number. Once you
have a SSN, you will use the same number throughout your stay in the United States.
Nearest Social Security Administration Office
Roanoke Social Security Office
612 S Jefferson Street, Suite #100
Roanoke, VA 24011
Phone: (866) 701-8179
Students with an J-1 visa should have the following documents prior to traveling outside of the U.S.: