/Office of Global Affairs
Visa and Immigration Services

Employment Regulations for J-1 Scholars

As a J-1 scholar, your employment in the United States is strictly limited to the activities and site(s) listed on your Form DS-2019. You may only engage in work that has been authorized as part of your exchange visitor program.

Failure to follow employment regulations may result in the loss of your J-1 status.

Authorized Employment

You are only permitted to work:

  • For your designated host department at Stony Brook University

  • In the role and field described on your Form DS-2019

  • At the approved site(s) of activity listed in SEVIS

Your employment must directly support the purpose of your J-1 program.

Additional or Incidental Employment

In some cases, you may be eligible to participate in occasional short-term activities outside your primary appointment, such as:

  • Guest lectures

  • Short-term consultations

To be eligible, the activity must:

  • Be directly related to your field of expertise

  • Be short-term and occasional

  • Not interfere with your primary program activities

You must receive prior written authorization from Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) before engaging in any additional activity.

Do not begin any outside activity until you have received approval.

Changes to Employment

You must notify VIS before any changes occur, including:

  • Changes to your job duties or research focus

  • Changes to your work location or site of activity

  • Changes to your funding source or compensation

  • Changes to your supervisor or department

VIS will review the proposed change to determine if it is permitted under J-1 regulations.

Remote Work

J-1 scholars must maintain an in-person presence at their host institution.

  • Fully remote employment is not permitted

  • Limited remote work may be allowed (up to 40%) if approved by VIS and consistent with university policy

You must receive approval before starting any remote or hybrid work arrangement.

Employment End Date

Your employment must end no later than the end date listed on your Form DS-2019, unless an extension has been approved.

You may not continue working beyond your authorized program dates.

Unauthorized Employment

The following activities are not permitted:

  • Working for an employer not listed on your DS-2019

  • Engaging in freelance or independent contract work

  • Beginning new employment without prior VIS approval

  • Continuing employment after your program end date

Unauthorized employment is a violation of your J-1 status.

Maintaining Compliance

To maintain your J-1 status, you must:

  • Only engage in authorized employment

  • Follow all conditions of your DS-2019

  • Request approval from VIS before making any changes

Questions

If you have questions about your employment or are considering any changes, contact Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) before taking action.