| Topic | F-1 | J-1 |
| Eligibility Restrictions | None. | Cannot be self-funded unless participating in an exchange program pursuant to a formal written agreement between educational institutions or governmental offices. |
| On-Campus Employment | Available up to 20 hours per week when school is in session and 40 hours per week during annual school holidays. | Same as F-1. |
| Off-Campus Employment | Yes: Can be authorized for unforeseen financial hardship, Curricular Practical Training, or Pre- and Post-completion Optional Practical Training | Yes: Can be authorized for unforeseen financial hardship or Academic Training. |
| Practical/Academic Training Types | 1) Curricular Practical Training (CPT).. 1point3acres
2) Optional pre- or post-completion Practical Training (OPT). | Optional or Required Academic Training may take place before or after graduation |
| Time Limits for Practical/AcademicTraining | Curricular: None, although if you use more than 12 months of full-time CPT, you lose your eligibility for any OPT.
Optional (Pre- and Post-completion, combined):12 months maximum for each higher degree earned.Possible "Cap Gap" extension.One-time extension of 17 months is available to certain STEM degree recipients. | Note: In general, the period of Academic Training may not exceed 18 months or the amount of time spent in the academic program, whichever is less.Nondegree: 24 months maximum, including the academic program itself..1point3acres
Degree: Pre-doctoral, 18 months maximum Post-doctoral, 36 months maximum (for post-doctoral research only).Part-time Academic Training counts the same as Full-time Academic Training.. check 1point3acres for more.
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| Requirement of Job Offer for Practical/Academic Training | Curricular: Yes
Pre-completion Optional: Recommended
Post-completion.Optional: No
. From 1point 3acres bbs | Pre-Completion: Yes
Post-completion: Yes. Must have job offer within 30 days of completion of studies and you must apply before you complete your program as well.
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| Authorization from USCIS for Practical/Academic Training | Curricular: Not required. Authorization is obtained from Duke Visa Services advisor.
Pre- and Post-completion Optional:Required before student may begin work. Authorization takes 3-4 months. | None required. Authorization is obtained from Duke Visa Services advisor. |
| Possibility of Changing Status | Yes, fairly easily. | It depends. May be problematic for students subject to the 2-year home residency requirement. |
| Work Authorization For Spouse | None possible. | Yes, with evidence that salary is not needed to fund stay, and it requires USCIS approval. |
| Enrollment for Spouse | Cannot enroll for credit bearing courses. | Can enroll for credit bearing courses. |
| Insurance Requirement per Visa Status | None per visa category. Although the University requires all students to carry insurance, this is not a federal requirement, nor does it apply to spouses. | Yes, for J-1 students and all dependents. Willful failure to maintain adequate health insurance as defined by federal regulations will result in the student's termination from the J-1 program, thus also terminating his/her J-1 status. |
| Permission to Stay in U.S. after Completion of Studies | 60 days granted automatically. | 30 days granted automatically. |