Employment, Teaching, and Study While on J-1 Status

Table of Contents

    • What is the Short-Term Scholar category and who is it designed for?

    • What are the eligibility requirements for Short-Term Scholar (education, purpose, activities)?

    • What is the maximum duration of stay for a Short-term Scholar?

    • What funding options are available for Short-Term Scholars?

    • What is the Research Scholar category and who is it designed for?

    • What are the eligibility requirements for Research Scholar (education, purpose, activities)?

    • What is the maximum duration of stay for a Research Scholar?

    • What funding options are available for Research Scholars?

    • What is the Professor category and who qualifies?

    • What distinguishes a Professor from a Research Scholar for J-1 purposes?

    • What teaching and research activities are permitted under the Professor category?

    • What is the maximum duration of stay for a Professor?

    • Must Professors have a terminal degree in their field?

    • What is the Specialist category and what types of specialists does it cover?

    • What are the eligibility requirements for a Specialist?

    • What is the maximum duration and what activities are permitted for Specialists?

    • What funding options are available for Specialists?

    • What is the Student Intern category?

    • Who is eligible for Student Intern status (current students vs. recent graduates)?

    • What is the maximum duration of a Student Intern program?

    • What types of internship activities are permitted under Student Intern status?

    • How does Student Intern differ from the Intern/Trainee category?

    • What is the difference between the Intern and Trainee categories?

    • Are the Intern and Trainee categories appropriate for academic research positions?

    • What are the eligibility and duration requirements for Intern and Trainee?

    • What is the Teacher category used for?

    • Is the Teacher category appropriate for university-level instruction?

    • What are the requirements for primary and secondary school teachers under the J-1 program?

Can I work while in the U.S. on a J-1 visa?

Yes, but only with proper authorization and only if the work is directly related to your J-1 program objectives as listed on your DS-2019. All employment must be approved in advance by your Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).

Note: Employment authorization for J-1 visa holders depends on your specific category.

Important: You may not begin any work (paid or unpaid) until you receive written authorization. Unauthorized employment is a serious violation that can result in termination of your J-1 status. For specific details, consult with the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program.

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What types of employment are permitted vs. prohibited under J-1 status?

J-1 Exchange Visitors may engage in employment only if it is authorized by the program sponsor, listed on the DS-2019 (or otherwise approved as required), and consistent with the program objectives.

Typically permitted (with prior approval):

  • Teaching or research activities described on your DS-2019

  • Occasional lectures or short-term consultations related to your field

  • Incidental activities that support your exchange program objectives

Note: Occasional lectures or short-term consultations, as well as incidental activities, must be directly related to the program objectives, incidental to the primary program activities, not the cause for a delay in the completion of the program, and approved by the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program.

Not permitted:

  • Employment unrelated to your J-1 program

  • Regular employment outside your sponsoring institution

  • Self-employment, freelance, or “side jobs”

  • Any work that begins before authorization is granted

Tip: When in doubt, ask the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program before you accept an opportunity. Unauthorized employment can jeopardize your J-1 status.

Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.16(a) Employment, 62.20(f)-(g) Occasional Lectures or Consultations , 62.21(f) Location of Exchange; 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(11) Aliens Authorized for Employment

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I am a J-1 Research Scholar in the College of Engineering. I've been offered a part-time position as an Assistant Soccer Coach at the university. Can I accept this job?

No. This position would not be permitted under J-1 Research Scholar status.

While the job is at the same institution, coaching soccer is unrelated to your research program objectives and would therefore be considered unauthorized employment. Incidental activities must be directly related to the scholar’s field and secondary to the primary program activities. Because assistant soccer coaching is unrelated to engineering research, it would not be permitted.

Important: Unauthorized employment is a serious violation that can result in termination of your J-1 status. For specific details, consult with the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program.

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I am a J-1 Professor and have been asked to give a paid guest lecture at another university. Is this permitted?

Possibly, but only with prior written approval from the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program.

Occasional lectures or short-term consultations at another institution may be allowed if:

  • The activity is directly related to your field of expertise

  • It is incidental to your primary J-1 program

  • It is not the cause for a delay in the completion of the program

  • The Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program authorizes it in advance

Important: Do not accept payment or participate until you receive written authorization.

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I am a J-1 Research Scholar and would like to enroll in an online degree program. Is this possible?

J-1 Research Scholar status is not intended for enrollment in a degree-seeking program. Your primary purpose in the United States must remain research or teaching, rather than pursuing a degree.

J-1 Research Scholars may engage in “incidental study,” which is generally understood to mean limited, non-degree coursework that is clearly secondary to the primary program objective of conducting research. Enrollment in a full-time or degree-seeking program may raise concerns if it suggests that study, rather than research, has become the primary purpose of the J-1 program.

According to SEVP guidance, exchange visitors “must abide by the rules of their current status and cannot extend their stay in the United States for the purposes of completing a program of study or a degree” (Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?). If you wish to pursue a degree program in the United States, you should change to an appropriate student visa status (such as F-1) or leave the U.S. and apply for a student visa.

Important: Before taking any courses, even individual non-degree courses, consult with the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program to ensure the coursework is truly incidental to your program objectives and will not jeopardize your J-1 status.

Reference(s)/Resource(s): SEVP Chart: Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study?

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Can I take courses for credit while on J-1 Research Scholar or Professor status?

Yes, on a limited basis.

You may take occasional courses for credit as long as the coursework:

  • Aligns and is consistent with your program objective(s)

  • Is part-time, non-degree seeking

  • Is incidental to your primary program activities

  • Does not interfere with your research or teaching responsibilities

  • Does not cause delay in the completion of the program

Tip: Check with the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program before enrolling to confirm the course is appropriate.

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I would like to take an English language class to improve my skills. Is this permitted?

Yes. Taking an English language class is generally permitted as long as it is incidental and does not become your primary activity.

Tip: Check with the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program before enrolling to confirm the course is appropriate.

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Can I audit courses without enrolling in a degree program?

Yes. Auditing courses is generally allowed and does not affect your J-1 status, as long as:

  • Auditing remains secondary to your primary program purpose

  • You do not enroll in a full course of study

Tip: Check with the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for your program before enrolling to confirm the course is appropriate.

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U.S. immigration regulations are rapidly changing. Immigration rules can change quickly, and what is accurate today may not be true tomorrow. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific immigration questions or complex situations, consult with a qualified immigration attorney.