How many hours may I work on-campus?
You are limited to 20 hour work weeks while school is in session, but may work full-time during vacation periods. Vacation time is defined as summer semester, spring break, and winter break.
When may I begin on-campus employment?
Upon initial entry to begin a new course of study, you may not begin on-campus employment more than 30 days prior to the actual start of classes and must complete the check in with ISS. Students transferring into Texas A&M University may begin on-campus employment after their SEVIS release date and after completing the check in with ISS. As a J-1 student you must also request and receive the written authorization from ISS BEFORE beginning on campus employment.
When must I stop working on campus?
- If you change employers on campus, you must stop working and request ISS to update your on campus employment information in the SEVIS system. You must not begin working in your new employer until you have received written authorization from ISS with the new employer information, start, and end date per Department of State regulations.
- Students are no longer eligible for on-campus employment after the day of their graduation or the expiration date on the DS-2019; whichever comes first.
- Students are no longer eligible for on-campus employment after receiving the Letter of Completion.
- Students who have fallen out of legal immigration status as well as students with a reinstatement application pending with DHS (in attempt to re-gain legal immigration status) are not permitted to work on-campus.
Students must inform their on-campus employer of any changes to their form DS-2019. It is the student’s responsibility to know when they must stop working on campus. Failure to inform their department of a change in their form DS-2019 may result in the student to engage in unauthorized on-campus employment per Department of State regulations.
Where may I work on-campus?
- On-campus employment must be performed on the school’s premises.
- Students must be on Texas A&M payroll unless they are employed in an on-campus position that provides services to students, such as a position with the MSC Bookstore.
- Students may not work on the school’s premises for a commercial firm that is not providing direct on-campus services for students, for example, a construction site for a new building.
How do I obtain authorization to work on-campus?
To obtain proper approval, and written authorization before you begin working, please submit a scanned copy of your job offer letter to ISS. The letter should state the position title, department and exact start/end dates of your employment. If you are a currently sponsored student, you are strongly advised to contact Sponsored Student Programs and your sponsor to ensure that your work does not violate the conditions of your sponsorship. Failure to obtain the consent of your sponsor about your employment may impact your funding. Texas A&M University will notify your sponsor that you have requested and received authorization to work. Once ISS has received your letter and verified you are eligible you will receive written authorization for the academic year. Please allow 5-10 business days to receive your written authorization. Remember, the Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer in ISS, for Texas A&M University, must approve J-1 student employment BEFORE it begins. Additional reporting requirements state that you must do the following to maintain your J-1 status:
- Written Authorization must be authorized annually (every 12 months)
- If your employment changes (ie. Department, or position title) you must obtain new written authorization. You must follow the same procedures for written authorization when these changes or annual renewal occur. You will no longer be eligible for employment if you graduate, engage in pre-completion Academic Training, or violate your immigration status in any way. International Student Services will notify you, the student, and your payroll office should you no longer be eligible for employment prior to the end date of this employment authorization letter.