On-Campus Employment
J-1 on-campus employment is defined as employment that occurs on the premises of Yale University or for which you receive a Yale paycheck. With permission of the J-1 program sponsor, students in J-1 status may work up to 20 hours per week* (each week) when school is in session and full-time (more than 20 hours a week) during holiday and vacation periods. PhD programs are always considered “in session”, and PhD students are therefore always subject to the 20 hours per week limitation.
If Yale University is your J-1 program sponsor (i.e. if Yale issued your DS-2019 form), you must seek permission to work from OISS before commencing work which can done by reporting your on-campus employment below.. This reporting will be sent to SEVIS and serve as your permission to work. If you have an outside sponsor such as Fulbright, you need to contact that sponsor for permission.
* J-1 students may work up to 20 hours a week while school is in session per federal immigration regulations, but per Yale policy students may not work more than 19 hours (combined for all jobs) in any week during the academic terms.
Special Note for PhD Students
Doctoral degree programs at Yale are always considered to be “in session”. PhD students are therefore subject to the 20 hours per week “on-campus” employment limitation throughout the year, including during the Summer months. TF appointments are considered “on campus” employment. Additionally, per Yale GSAS policy, PhD students seeking non-fellowship employment beyond an average of 10 hours per week must request permission from their DGS in consultation with the appropriate Dean.
Off-Campus Employment
With prior permission from OISS, some students in J-1 status may engage in off-campus employment which is necessary due to serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since obtaining the exchange visitor status. An OISS adviser is available to talk with you about the kind of circumstances that qualify and the supporting documentation you need to request this kind of employment.
