Students with a J-1 visa are usually eligible to work up to 18 months following graduation. They may also be eligible to work part-time during their program of study. International students must have the work authorization before they begin actual employment, but not before they are offered employment. In fact, J-1 students must have a written job offer in order to apply for the work authorization. Many F-1 students will be in the process of obtaining work authorization while they are interviewing for employment.
Students can give employers a reasonable estimate of when they expect to receive work authorization.
The application procedure to the INS is straightforward. A bachelor's degree is a minimum normal requirement for the position. If, however, the internship provides a stipend or any compensation, students must obtain permission for practical training or academic training prior to starting their internship. Editors are Philip Hofer of the University of La Verne and Lay Tuan Tan of California State University, Fullerton.