J-1 Academic Training (AT)
Academic Training is a benefit of J-1 student status that allows you to work —either paid or unpaid — for the purpose of applying knowledge and skills learned during your program of study.


Eligibility
You may use Academic Training during your program of study (Pre-Completion AT) or immediately following the completion of your degree program (Post-Completion AT). To be eligible, you must:
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- Have an unexpired DS-2019 issued by Columbia. If you are under the sponsorship of any other J-1 Exchange Visitor program (ie.,IIE, AMIDEAST, etc.), you need to contact your sponsoring agency.
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- Be in good academic standing with Columbia University
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- Have completed one semester
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- Have an offer of employment that is directly related to your major field of study, and confirmed by your academic adviser.

Before You Apply
Academic Training cannot exceed the period of time you spend in your academic program in J-1 student status.
- Degree
- Bachelors
- Work Length
- 18 months or the length of your program
- Notes
- Whichever is shorter
- Degree
- Masters
- Work Length
- 18 months or the length of your program
- Notes
- Whichever is shorter. For example, if you are in a nine-month degree program, such as the LL.M., your AT is limited to nine months
- Degree
- Doctoral
- Work Length
- 18 months with the possibility to extend up to 36 months.
- Notes
- You will need to submit a new application and trainee fee for the extension.
You may apply for AT during and/or after the completion of your degree program.
- Time
- During your program
- When to Apply
- Two weeks before the employment begins
- Time
- After your program (Post-Completion AT)
- When to Apply
- Before you complete your program or before the program end date on your DS-2019 (whichever is earlier)
You may work only for a certain number of hours (as shown below). Any time that is authorized during your program will be deducted at a fulltime rate, regardless of hours, from the total amount of time allowed after you finish.
- When
- Summer, during your program
- Part-time (20 or less hrs/week)
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- Full-time (more than 20 hrs/week)
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- When
- Fall /Spring Semester, during your program
- Part-time (20 or less hrs/week)
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- Full-time (more than 20 hrs/week)
- ✓ (Full-time allowed only if you are in a doctoral program and have finished all your requirements except for your dissertation)
- When
- After your program (Post-Completion AT)
- Part-time (20 or less hrs/week)
- ✓ (All AT is calculated at a full-time rate)
- Full-time (more than 20 hrs/week)
- ✓

How to Apply
Are you applying for Pre-Completion AT? Skip Step #1--there is no Administrative Fee.


Pay the $330 AT Administration Fee (for Post-Completion AT only)
You remain in J-1 status under Columbia’s sponsorship with an active SEVIS record during post-completion AT. Doctoral students will pay a second fee if granted the 18-month extension.

Gather your documents
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- Letter of recommendation from your adviser
- Review our sample Adviser Recommendation letter
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- Upload Your Employment Letter
- Review our sample AT Employer Letter
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- Most recent I-94 Arrival Record
- This must show your most recent arrival in J-1 status admitted until "D/S"

Log in to Compass with your UNI and password to submit your application
Please click the appropriate link below:
- ISSO Morningside
- J-1 Students
- ISSO CU Medical Center (CUIMC)
- J-1 Students
Not sure of your campus? Check our campus school list.
Need help using Compass? Learn more on our Compass User Guide.

We will contact you
Allow up to 10 business days for us to review and process your application. We will notify you by email when your new DS-2019 and AT authorization letter is ready to be picked up.

Review, sign and date your new DS-2019
Use it when you travel. The travel signature (endorsement) is valid for 12 months or until your program end date, whichever is earlier. Keep all previously issued I-20s and DS-2019s. You may need them in the future.

What to Do After AT Has Been Approved
Apply for a Social Security Number (if you don’t have one)
Be prepared to show your employer:
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- AT authorization letter
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- Your passport
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- DS-2019
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- I-94 arrival record as evidence of your J-1 status
You must:
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- Maintain full-time registration
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- Continue to be in good academic standing
You continue to be in J-1 status, and therefore must:
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- Maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and any J-2 dependents throughout your Academic Training
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- Submit a new AT application for any change in employer
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- Let us know if you are ending AT employment earlier than the approved date and leaving the U.S.
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- Depart the US before the end of your 30-day grace period when your Academic Training period is over

Traveling During Authorized AT
When you have Academic Training authorized during your academic program, it does not affect the documents you need to return to the United States. See our Documents Needed to Travel page for information on what you need as a student in J-1 status.
While you are on Post-Completion AT, you remain in J-1 status even though you are no longer an enrolled student. If you have plans to travel abroad during this period, you need to know in advance what to have with you to return to the U.S. in J-1 status, so you don't jeopardize your AT authorization.
Do not come back to the U.S. in any status other than J-1! Visit our Documents Needed to Travel page for information on returning to the U.S. with J-1 Post-Completion Academic Training.