You must:

• Be a full-time student at ACU, and primarily in the U.S. to study rather than engage in academic training;

• Have an offer for employment that is directly related to your major field of study;

  • • You should be able to articulate a direct correlation between the training activities and the academic coursework in your major;

    • The employment must not be more than 40% remote (2 days out of 5), with a U.S.-based employer;

    • The employment must consist of primarily substantive roles designed to expose participants to the operations of their field (very limited non-substantive tasks such as making coffee, etc…)

• Be in good academic standing and in good immigration status;

• Be covered by health insurnace that meets or exceeds the Department of State requirements 

• Receive written approval in advance for the desired academic training.

• Complete a written self-evaluation about half way through your program.

Additional requirements for post-completion (and STEM) academic training applicants:

• You have adequate financial support during the training period of at least 

• You are covered by health insurance which meets the U.S. Department of State minimum requirements for the duration of your academic training period for you and any dependents.

• Apply at least 1 week before you complete your studies;

• Not have any gaps in employment. This means if you change employers, the work period must be uninterrupted.

• Your authorization to remain in the U.S. is dependent on the employment which you submitted for authorization of academic training.  If you quit your job or your employment ends for any reason, your academic training is completed.  If this occurs, you are required to do the following:

a) Inform the RO, who will complete your status.

b) Leave the U.S. within 30 days 

• If your job objectives change or you find new employment, you must submit a new application for academic training to the RO within 10 days and be approved before beginning the new employment.  Please consult the RO in these cases as soon as possible.

• It is not possible to extend the academic training beyond the 18-month period unless the U.S. Department of State initiates a special provision (such as for STEM students between 2021-2024.)

• Travel after program completion and prior to commencement of academic training is not recommended.   Discuss your possible travel plans with the RO.

STEP 1: Obtain an offer letter from your employer. 

The letter must include all of the following items:

1. the company name and address

2. your job title and description of duties;

3. A brief description of the “goals and objectives” of your “training program” 

4. the dates and location of the employment, amount of remote work (if applicable)

5. the number of hours per week and salary

6. the name, address, phone and email of your “training supervisor”

Here is a document to send to your employer.

STEP 2: Discuss your offer with your ACU academic advisor

Your advisor must know the details of your proposed position to verify the suitability of the employment related to your major field of study. 

STEP 3: Collect the following documents to upload with your request:

• your most recent I-94

• your valid passport identification page 

• financial support documents (if your post-completion position is not paid)

STEP 4: Submit the online request by clicking on the appropriate link:

• Pre-completion academic training request

1. You will need to provide the RO proof of your health insurance that meets the U.S. DOS requirements (see below) for the duration of your academic training period by the 1st day of your Academic Training.

2. Exchange visitors are required to inform the RO of any changes to their program, including changes in residential address, supervisor, job location or job duties within 10 days of the change.

3. Submit your self-evaluation about half way through your program.