J-1 students sponsored by San Diego State University may be eligible to engage in off-campus employment unrelated to their field of study due to unforeseen severe economic hardship.
The financial need must have occurred after your program began and must be thoroughly documented.
Note: You must try to find employment on campus before you are eligible to apply for this type of employment. Work through this program is limited to 20 hours per week during school session, but may be full time when school is not in session.
If you are a J-1 student who was issued a DS-2019 by another agency (Fulbright or ISEP, for instance), you must check with your sponsor for employment eligibility.
This page explains the situations under which you might be eligible for this type of employment.
It is important to provide substantial documentation as written proof of the change in your economic circumstances.
You may provide documentation in your home language, but you must include an attached translation. You may translate documents yourself, and you must write on the translation that you are fluent in both languages, and that this is a true and accurate translation.
Types of documents may vary. Here are some possible examples (you may have others):
Bring these documents to your application appointment (see "How to Apply" below) with an International Student Advisor.
To apply, make an appointment with the International Student Advisor who handles J-1 advising and take the following documents with you to your appointment:
If the advisor determines that you are eligible, you will receive a letter of employment authorization. This letter is the required written documentation that you are legally authorized to accept employment.
The authorization will terminate on the ending date of the DS-2019 form, or at the end of the year, whichever is sooner. It may be renewed if the documentation shows that the need still exists, but it is automatically terminated if you fail to maintain your J-1 status or complete your J-1 program.