J-1 On-Campus Work Information

 Kind of WorkPart-time/ 
Full-time   
Authorization granted by:Impact on Academic TrainingRemarks
Employment by MITResearch and Teaching Assistantships from MITPart-time
(up to 20 hours per week) when school is in session. Full-time during IAP and Summer vacation periods (where students are not required to be enrolled in coursework during that vacation period).
Authorization is required from the MIT ISO each academic year. J-1 students can request on-campus employment authorization by logging into iMIT (https://imit.mit.edu), select the “J-1 Student Services” menu, then select and complete the eform for “J-1 On-Campus Work authorization”. An email will be sent to the student confirming authorization has been issued. NOTE: Students must request a new on-campus employment authorization EVERY YEAR when working on-campus at MIT. NoneFull Research and Teaching Assistantships account for the 20 hours per week maximum of work allowed by USCIS while school is in session. No other on-campus job/position can be held at the same time if a student has a Full RA or TA award.
Employment on MIT premisesWork for offices or departments on MIT campus and paid by MIT.Part-time
(up to 20 hours per week) when school is in session. Full-time during IAP and Summer vacation periods (where students are not required to be enrolled in coursework during that vacation period).
Authorization is required from the MIT ISO each academic year. J-1 students can request on-campus employment authorization by logging into iMIT (https://imit.mit.edu), select the “J-1 Student Services” menu, then select and complete the eform for “J-1 On-Campus Work authorization”. Must provide job offer letter. An email will be sent to the student confirming authorization has been issued. NOTE: Students must request a new on-campus employment authorization EVERY YEAR when working on-campus at MIT.NoneFull Research and Teaching Assistantships account for the 20 hours per week maximum of work allowed by USCIS while school is in session. No other on-campus job/position can be held at the same time if a student has a Full RA or TA award.
Employment by MITUROP (for credit or paid)


Part-time: up to 20 hours per week while school is in session (Fall and Spring terms). Full-time during IAP and Summer vacation periods (where students are not required to be enrolled in coursework during that vacation period).
U.S. DHS views all UROP activity/participation, paid or non-paid, as counting towards the limit on hours of on-campus employment. Students must have clear position description that indicates the exact number of hours per week required. Students engaged in UROP activities while school is in session must be careful to count the hours they work/engage in UROP research activity as part of their on-campus work and keep track of hours so as not to exceed the 20 hours per week allowance of all on-campus employment activities combined. *
Authorization is required from the MIT ISO each academic year. J-1 students can request on-campus employment authorization by logging into iMIT (https://imit.mit.edu), select the “J-1 Student Services” menu, then select and complete the eform for “J-1 On-Campus Work authorization”. Must provide job offer letter. An email will be sent to the student confirming authorization has been issued. NOTE: Students must request a new on-campus employment authorization EVERY YEAR when working on-campus at MIT.NoneAll UROP activity/participation, paid or non-paid, counts towards the limit on hours of on-campus employment. Students must have clear position description that indicates the exact number of hours per week required. Students engaged in UROP activities while school is in session must be careful to count the hours they work/engage in research activity as part of their on-campus work and keep track of hours so as not to exceed the 20 hours per week allowance. *

J-1 On-Campus Employment Notes:

  • Only students who are full-time enrolled students and maintaining J-1 status are eligible for on-campus work.
  • The MIT ISO must authorize each on-campus job separately for J-1 students. The ISO must re-authorize employment once per year if you are continuing employment on-campus with the same department (new authorization letter required each academic year). Submit J-1 On-Campus Work Authorization eform on iMIT to obtain written authorization.
    • Login to iMIT (https://imit.mit.edu)
    • Click on the “J-1 Student Services” menu
    • Click on the “J-1 On-Campus Work Authorization” eform button
    • Complete and submit the eform
  • New authorizations are needed each year and for any change in employer.

ISO will process the J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization requests within 10 business days from receipt of a full, complete request in iMIT.

*SPECIAL NOTES on MIT Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP):
International students who are interested in pursuing UROP activities must consider the following steps BEFORE they begin a UROP activity.

1. Discuss the UROP project with the hiring department/lab/facility in advance to confirm the following details:

  • Is the UROP paid or unpaid?
  • How many hours per week during the term and during vacation periods?
  • What are the dates the UROP activity will be pursued?
  • The name of the hiring lab/facility/department, supervisor’s name, administrative office’s name and contact information.

2. Obtain a UROP offer letter that details the information above for your record. Students must keep this documentation in the future for their record.

3. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) currently views both paid and for-credit (non-paid) UROPs as counting towards the 20 hour per week limit of on-campus employment. Therefore, students who are not getting paid must still count the UROP activity hours as on-campus employment and keep track of those hours to make sure they do not exceed the 20 hours per week allowance during terms. This restriction does not apply while on an Institute vacation period (during winter and summer vacations). Students participating in UROPs should review all other on-campus work engagements to be performed while school is in session. While school is in session, students MUST count their UROP activity hours toward the MAXIMUM 20 hours per week of on-campus employment allowed. Note that students who are not receiving pay for their UROP will not be entering worked hours in the Student Payroll system.

If you have any questions about on-campus employment and UROP, please contact your ISO Advisor directly.