On Campus Employment
J-1 scholars are authorized to work only if this employment is reflected in the funding sources listed on the DS-2019. If you originally came without funding from your UI department and your department wishes to start paying you after you arrive, the department can contact ISSS to get your DS-2019 updated.
Your program sponsor or the person offering you employment should contact International Student and Scholar Services with details on the proposed employment. If the employment is professional employment related to your program it will be approved. Employment which is not related to your program is not allowed.
Any change in employment must be also approved by ISSS.
Short Term Lectures and Consultations Off Campus
The federal regulations governing professors, research scholars and short-term scholars in J-1 status permit these “exchange visitors” to be paid for “occasional lectures and short term consultations” which are directly related to the exchange visitor’s program, incidental to the primary program activities, and which do not delay the completion of the program or employment objectives. Scholars who are classified as “specialists” may not be paid for short term lectures and consultations. 22 CFR 61.20(g)(1)
To obtain authorization for occasional lectures or consultations for which you will be paid, you need to provide to International Student and Scholar Services both a letter from the person wanting to pay you, giving the terms and conditions of the offer, and a letter from your department head or faculty sponsor recommending the proposed activity and briefly explaining how it will enhance your exchange visitor program.
On the basis of these two letters, ISSS will issue an approval letter for the activity. See the procedures below.
Procedures
To obtain authorization for occasional lectures or consultations for which you will be paid, you need to apply to ISSS:
- Get a letter from the person wanting to pay you, giving the terms and conditions of the offer, “including the duration, the number of hours, the field or subject, the amount of compensation, and a description of the proposed activity”, and
- Apply online in iHawk (click the blue login button) using your HawkID and password. Go to "J-1 Scholar Services" and complete the e-form "Short-Term Lecture Request."
- Once you complete the e-form, your department will need to review it. Your department will receive an email message from ISSS which will provide a link to review your request. Your department will be asked to comment on your request.
- After your department comments on your e-form request, you will receive an e-mail from ISSS telling you that we have received it. An ISSS advisor will review the application and will then contact you by e-mail to inform you of the decision or if additional information is needed. If approved, you will be instructed that you can come to ISSS to pick up a letter authorizing the lecture.
On the basis of these two letters, ISSS will issue a third letter which the individual who is going to pay you for your efforts will need to see to have assurance that you can legally do the work. Note the authorization from ISSS must be received before you engage in the lecture or consultation. If authorization is not granted in advance, you will not be eligible to be paid. Unless you are the beneficiary of an income tax treaty, income from an occasional lecture or consultation will be taxable. For further information, contact Payroll& in the Human Resources office; payroll-nra-web@uiowa.edu.