J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Professor, Research Scholar and Short-Term Scholar categories are only allowed to receive payment as specifically noted on their Form DS-2019 unless given prior written authorization by a Responsible/Alternate Responsible Officer at ISSS before accepting such payment. With this prior written authorization, a scholar may be compensated, paid, or reimbursed for occasional off-campus lectures, consultations, or seminars.

J regulations require that the occasional lectures or short-term consultations that you are receiving compensation for must:

• be directly related to the objectives of the J-1 Exchange Visitor's program;
• be incidental to the J-1 Exchange Visitor's primary program activities;
• not delay the completion date of the J-1 Exchange Visitor's program; and
• be documented in SEVIS and approved in writing

Follow the steps below at least 10 working days prior your proposed compensated activity. Authorization cannot be given after the activity has occurred. Receiving unauthorized payment is a violation of J-1 status.

1. Obtain a letter from the prospective employer that includes the following items:

• a description of the activity in which the scholar will engage;
• the amount of compensation the scholar will receive;
• the field of study of the scholar;
• total number of hours needed to complete this activity;
• the duration (start date & end date); and
• a description of the terms and conditions of the proposed employment

2. Obtain a letter from your faculty mentor at TU that includes the following items:

• reference to the letter from the proposed employer;
• confirmation that the proposed employment is directly related to the scholar's principal reason for being at TU, is indeed incidental, and will not delay completion of the program;
• explanation of the proposed incidental employment would enhance the scholar's Exchange Visitor Program; and
• recommendation that ISSS approve the proposed incidental employment.

3. Submit both of these letters to  [click-for-email] and [click-for-email] at least 10 business days PRIOR to the proposed activity.

Scholars sponsored by Fulbright, or other Exchange Programs must contact their program sponsor for specific information and instructions