All visiting scholars in J-1 status at UCSB must understand and abide by the federal laws governing their non-immigrant visa status. J-1 Scholars may be compensated for activities undertaken at UCSB.

J-1 scholars holding a DS-2019 Form that is issued by UCSB may teach or do research only in the field or area listed in Box 4 of the DS-2019 Form and only for UCSB, provided that compensation is listed on the DS-2019 form prior to any work being completed. Any compensation received from UCSB that is in an unrelated field would be considered unauthorized employment. Any compensation received from any other entity (even if the work is performed on the UCSB campus) would be considered unauthorized employment.

J-1 exchange program visitors are eligible only to engage in the educational activities as outlined on their Form DS-2019. If the exchange program visitor would like the change or add locations of activities, for example to conduct research with another university, permission must be requested 10 days in advance from OISS.

Off Campus Activities and Consultations

J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Research Scholar, Professor, and Short-Term Scholar categories are permitted to receive payments for occasional lectures/conferences and reimbursement for travel/incidental expenses. They may also engage in short-term research consultations with an off-campus host. The term occasional is defined as a single event and not to an on-going activity.

Any changes to the initial authorization must first be reported to the Office of International Students & Scholar prior to the start of the new off-campus activity.

 The Office of International Students & Scholars may issue an authorization letter if the off-campus activity meets the following requirements:

  • Be directly related to the objectives of the J-1 program
  • Be incidental to the primary program activities at UCSB
  • Will not delay the completion of the J-1 program (i.e. current program end date on the J-1 DS-2019 form)
    • J-1 program will not be extendable solely for the purpose of additional time for off-campus activity.

For short-term research consultations – the off-campus institute/company must pay the Scholar as an “Independent Contractor” and not as an employee.

  • Independent Contractor status is not required for reimbursement of travel/incidental expenses.
  • This authorization may not be used as a form of employment authorization with a secondary employer.

The request must be approved and documented by OISS prior to the start of the off-campus activity.

Such examples of off-campus activities (but not limited to) are:

  • Reimbursement of travel/incidental for attending a lecture/conference
  • Honorarium received for presenting a talk
  • Guest lecturer with another institution
  • Short-term research consultation with an off-campus company

How to request the authorization letter

The J-1 Exchange Visitor must submit the Off Campus Site of Activity form on UCSBGlobal to the Office of International Students & Scholars at least 10 business days in advance of the activity start date. This request should include an invitation letter or research consultation offer letter from the off-campus institute/company describing the terms and conditions of the activity.(See sample letter.)

This request will be reviewed and approved by the J-1 Exchange Visitor’s Supervisor and Dept. Chair/Institute Director.

Once approved, the Office of International Students & Scholars will issue a new J-1 DS-2019 form and Authorization Letter to allow for the start of the approved off-campus activity.

Any changes to the initial authorization must first be reported to the Office of International Students & Scholar prior to the start of the new off-campus activity.