Site of Activity for J-1 Scholars

As a J-1 scholar, your site of activity is the physical location where you carry out your program in the United States. This includes the building, campus, or organization where you conduct your research, teaching, or other approved activities.

Your site of activity must be accurately listed in your SEVIS record at all times.

Primary and Additional Sites of Activity

You must have at least one primary site of activity listed in your record.

If you will work or conduct program activities at more than one location:

• All additional sites of activity must be reported and approved in advance

• Each location must be added to your SEVIS record before you begin activities there

You may not begin work at a new location until it has been reviewed and approved by Visa and Immigration Services (VIS).

Changes to Your Site of Activity

You must notify VIS before any changes to your work location, including:

• Moving to a different building, campus, or institution

• Adding a new research or teaching location

• Working at an off-campus site

VIS will review the request to ensure it meets J-1 program requirements.

Occasional Lectures and Short-Term Consultations

You may be eligible to participate in occasional lectures or short-term consultations outside your primary site of activity.

These activities must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be directly related to your field and program objectives

• Be incidental to your primary program activities

• Not delay the completion of your program

• Be approved in advance and documented in SEVIS

You must receive written authorization from VIS before participating in any such activity.

Payment and Honorarium Requirements

If you will receive payment or any form of compensation for a lecture or consultation:

You must provide a letter from the inviting organization that includes:

• The dates and duration of the activity

• The number of hours involved

• The subject or field of the activity

• The amount of compensation

• A description of the activity

VIS must review and approve this documentation before you begin the activity.

Important Reminders

• You may only work at approved site(s) of activity listed in SEVIS

• Do not begin activities at a new location without prior VIS approval

• All changes must be reported in advance
  
  

Questions

If you are unsure whether a location qualifies as a site of activity or if you plan to work at a new location, contact Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) before making any changes.