CVIS Employment

Process for Obtaining AT Authorization

To apply for Academic Training, a J-1 student must use their Terra Dotta Immigration Portal to apply for Academic Training.

Terra Dotta Academic Training Request Form

Through the Academic Training Request form, students will be required to upload the following documents:

1. Job Offer Letter from Employer:
   • 6 items that must be included in the job offer letter
   • sample job offer letter
2. Academic advisor approval
   • Students must contact their academic advisor to review the Job Offer Letter.
     • Immigration regulations require that your job must pertain to your field of study and your academic advisor must approve your job.
     • Academic Advisors can approve your job offer letter through the Terra Dotta Academic Training Request, academic advisors will send a recommendation of approval.
3. Student Information
   • Proof of health insurance through the duration of your AT.
   • Proof of financial support showing you have personal funds or income to cover the estimated living expenses of $1500/month. (NOTE: This can be your offer letter if you have a salary of $1500/month or more)

Continue reading if you want a detailed explanation of the AT approval process. Otherwise, complete steps 1-4 listed above.

Read below to understand the immigration requirements and process for requesting AT authorization.

Authorization for Academic training will come from an updated DS-2019. To update your DS-2019, you International Student Advisor must receive the completed Academic Request Form through the Terra Dotta Immigration Portal

The employer letter must contain:

• The title of the job.
• A brief description of the "goals and objectives" of the "Training Program" (i.e. employment);
• The starting and ending dates and location of the employment.
• The name and address of the Training Supervisor.
• The number of hours per week.
• The salary amount to be paid. If no salary will be provided, this must be mentioned. Proof of funding must be presented to cover living expenses before a new DS‐2019 can be issued.

Sample Employer letter:

April 1, 1491

Mr. Christopher Columbus
10 Water Street
Death Valley, California 92655

Dear Mr. Columbus:

This is to confirm that Ocean Blue, Inc., is offering you employment as a Small Craft Pilot starting April 12, 1491 ending on Oct. 12, 1492.

This employment will serve as "academic training" following your Bachelor of Science program in Navigation and Aquatics at Parched Desert University.

The goals and objectives of your training with us will be practical experience in guiding small propeller‐driven crafts through sand bars in shallow salt water, without striking bathers.

The location of your training program will be 1 Ocean Blvd., New York NY, 10023. Your training supervisor will be Mr. Amerigo Vespucci, Vice President for Mainland Relations. His address and telephone number appear above on the letterhead.

You will be expected to work for 40 hours each week and you will receive a weekly salary of $5.

On behalf of the company, I welcome you to Ocean Blue.

Sincerely,

Niña Pinta
Director of Personnel