Offsite and Non-USC Employment
If you are a non-degree or degree-seeking student enrolled full-time in classes, please visit our on-campus employment and Academic Training pages for information about non-USC employment.
Permitted Non-USC Employment
Employment opportunities for J-1 exchange visitors are heavily restricted by the U.S. Department of State; they can only be employed in a paid or unpaid position by their USC sponsoring academic department in the field indicated on their DS-2019. Additionally, exchange visitors must report to the site of activity, a USC-based address, indicated on their DS-2019.
However, some J-1 categories allow the exchange visitor to participate in the following non-USC employment authorization with prior approval from the sponsoring academic department and OIS:
- Non-USC occasional lectures or consultations in the United States (includes travel reimbursement).
- Non-USC employment in the United States. A second site of activity is required for a USC J-1 appointment.
- Employment abroad, if out-of-country research is required for a USC J-1 appointment.
Please remember to plan ahead, as unauthorized employment violates J-1 status and can lead to termination of your J-1 program.
The U.S. Department of State requires exchange visitors and their dependents to have continuous health insurance coverage for the program’s duration to maintain “active” status. This includes any out-of-country time period.
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While J-1 regulations require that the majority of an exchange visitor’s work be done at the primary site of activity for his or her program, USC scholars may, with prior OIS authorization, participate in occasional lectures and consultations.
Eligible J-1 categories for this employment authorization include:
- Professor
- Research scholar
- Short-term scholar
This authorization is meant for lecturing, consulting or otherwise sharing expertise at institutions outside of USC and not for extensive, ongoing off-campus employment. Compensation includes any form of payment, honoraria and/or travel costs. Volunteer work related to the exchange visitor’s objective is not included unless it is reimbursed for travel expenses.
Valid off-campus employment must:
- Be directly related to the objectives of the exchange visitor’s program.
- Be incidental to the exchange visitor’s primary program activities.
- Not delay the completion date of the exchange visitor’s program.
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While J-1 regulations require that the majority of an exchange visitor’s work be done at the primary site of activity for his or her program, USC scholars may, with prior OIS authorization, add a temporary second site of activity at a non-USC location in the United States. The USC sponsoring academic department must deem the research conducted at the second site of activity integral to the completion of the USC appointment.
Eligible J-1 categories for this employment authorization include:
- Research scholar
- Professor
Exchange visitors are permitted to participate in employment at the second site of activity for up to a third of their J-1 program duration. For example, a one-year J-1 appointment would allow a maximum of three to four months of second site of activity authorization.
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While J-1 regulations require that the exchange visitor’s work be done at the primary site of activity for their program, USC scholars may, with prior OIS authorization, add a temporary non-USC address outside of the United States. The USC sponsoring academic department must deem the research conducted outside of the country integral to the completion of the USC appointment.
Eligible J-1 categories for this employment authorization include:
- Research scholar
- Professor
The exchange visitor’s SEVIS record will remain active during the approved period of employment abroad. The U.S. Department of State recommends that the sponsor follow its own HR guidelines regarding employees’ time away from the institution.
J-2 dependents must accompany the primary J-1 during the out-of-country time period.
Exchange visitors are permitted to participate in out-of-country employment for up to a third of their J-1 program duration. For example, a one-year J-1 appointment would allow a maximum of three to four months of out-of-country authorization.
How to Apply for Non-USC Employment
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First, the scholar’s academic department must receive clearance from human resources for the scholar’s off-site or overseas employment.
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Next, the J-1 scholar must submit an off-campus work authorization request in Trojan International a minimum of 10 business days prior to their employment start date. The request will require approval signatures from both the USC and non-USC supervisors.
If the employment adheres to J-1 regulations, OIS will update the employment in the exchange visitor’s SEVIS record. OIS will provide proof of work authorization by email. Letters are provided upon request.
OIS processing time for off-campus work authorization requests is 10 business days.