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International Student Services

Pre-completion Academic Training

Looking to work off campus during your studies?

J-1 students who want to work off campus during their studies must request authorization. The most common type of authorization is Pre-completion Academic Training.

What is academic training?

Academic Training is training related to your field of study; it requires authorization from ISS. Training could be in the form of a job, internship, research position, cooperative education position, or other opportunity to obtain experience that furthers your academic objective. Academic Training can be paid or unpaid. Use campus resources like the Career & Internship Center or your academic department to find training opportunities. Then, apply for Academic Training permission through ISS.

Pre-authorization from ISS is always required.

When to Apply & Time Limits

  • You can apply for Academic Training authorization from ISS at any time during your studies.
  • You cannot apply prior to arriving in the U.S. for your studies.
  • You must have an offer for a training opportunity before you submit your Academic Training application to ISS (authorization is specific to your job/internship/training opportunity)
  • Academic Training is limited to 18 months or the length of your academic program (enrollment), whichever is shorter. This includes training both before and after completion of studies. The total training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study. For postdoctoral training, the overall limit is 36 months.
  • All Academic Training is counted as full-time, even if employment is on a part-time basis.
  • ISS processing time is 15 business days for all Academic Training applications, so you must apply at least 15 business days prior to your requested Academic Training start date.
  • You must receive Academic Training authorization from the ISS office before starting your training activity (internship or job).

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for Academic Training authorization if you:

  • Are currently in J-1 status sponsored by UW (students sponsored by outside organizations, such as Fulbright, must contact their J-1 sponsor for Academic Training information).
  • Are primarily in the U.S. to study rather than engage in academic training
  • Are in good academic standing at UW
  • Have an offer for a training opportunity directly related to your major field of study. For visiting exchange students, the training opportunity must relate to the classes you take at UW. Use campus resources like the Career & Internship Center or your academic department to find opportunities.
  • Already discussed with your UW academic adviser your planned academic training opportunity, and provide them in advance with the necessary information to help with your Academic Training application to ISS. The following additional information is provided for your review.

How to Apply

J-1 How to Apply for Pre-completion AT

Gather proof of your job/internship/training offer.

The academic advisor will complete the advisor section of the online application. By doing so, they are recommending your academic training approval. They must provide the following information:

  • The goals and objectives of the specific academic training program
  • How the academic training relates to your major field of study
  • Why it is an integral or critical part of your academic program
  • Academic Training site (name of organization/employer providing training)
  • Academic Training address
  • Name of training supervisor
  • Number of hours per week
  • Start and end date of training

Need help finding your academic contact?

Program Type Who to Contact
Students in a UW degree program Academic department adviser
Visiting exchange students through an academic department Academic department adviser
Visiting exchange students through general College of Arts and Sciences/UW Study Abroad UW Study Abroad office Adviser: Sarah Berryman, uwexchanges@uw.edu

Apply for post-completion Academic Training through MyISSS. Processing times are about 3 weeks, so please plan accordingly. Once your AT has been approved, you will receive a confirmation email and issued a new DS-2019.