OIS Processing Time: 10 business days
Employment opportunities for J-1 Exchange Visitors are heavily restricted by the Department of State and they can only be employed (paid or unpaid) 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 U.S. (Includes Travel Reimbursement)
- Non-USC Employment in the U.S. (Second Site of Activity required for USC J-1 Appointment)
- Employment Abroad (Out of country research required for USC J-1 Appointment)
Special Note: If you are a Non-Degree Student enrolled full-time in classes, please visit our On-Campus Employment and Academic Training webpages for information regarding non-USC employment.
Insurance: The DOS requires EV’s and their dependents to have continuous insurance coverage for the program’s duration to maintain Active status. This includes the out of country time period.
Authorization must be obtained from OIS before beginning employment.
Please remember to plan in advance, as unauthorized employment is a violation of J-1 status and can lead to the termination of your J-1 program.
Application
J-1 Scholar Off-Campus Work Authorization Request
Application Process
- Academic department receives clearance from Human Resources for the scholars off-site or overseas employment
- The J-1 Scholar is responsible for submitting the 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 supervisor and non-USC supervisor.
- If the employment adheres to the J-1 regulations, OIS will update the employment in the Exchange Visitors SEVIS record. OIS will provide proof of the work authorization by email (letters provided by request).
USC Occasional Lectures or Consultations in the U.S. (Includes Travel Reimbursements)
OIS Processing Time: 10 business days
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.
This authorization is meant for lecturing, consulting, or otherwise sharing expertise at institutions outside of USC and not for extensive, on-going off-campus employment. This includes any form of remuneration (payments, 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:
1) Be directly related to the objectives of the Exchange Visitor program.
2) Be incidental to the Exchange Visitor’s primary program activities.
3) Not delay the completion date of the Exchange Visitor program.
Eligible J-1 Categories: Professor, Research Scholar, & Short-Term Scholar
Non-USC Employment in the U.S. (Second Site of Activity required for USC J-1 Appointment)
OIS Processing Time: 10 business days
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.
Duration: Exchange Visitors are permitted to participate in second site of activity employment for up to a third of their J-1 program duration (example: a one-year J-1 appointment would allow a maximum of 3-4 months of second site of activity authorization).
Eligible J-1 Categories: Research Scholar
Employment Abroad (Out of Country research required for USC J-1 Appointment)
OIS Processing Time: 10 business days
While J-1 regulations require that the Exchange Visitor’s (EVs) work be done at the primary site of activity for his or her 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 USC appointment. The SEVIS record will remain active during the approved period of Employment Abroad. The Department of State (DOS) recommends that the sponsor follow its own HR guidelines regarding time away from the institution for its employees. Requests are subject to OIS review and approval.
Duration: Exchange Visitors are permitted to participate in out of country employment for up to a third of their J-1 program duration (example: a one-year J-1 appointment would allow a maximum of 3-4 months of out of country authorization).
J-2 Dependents: J-2 dependents must accompany the primary J-1 during the out of country time period.
Eligible J-1 Categories: Research Scholar