Travel During DS-2019 Program Dates:
- Must be communicated to the faculty host and HR administrator in compliance with 22 C.F.R. § 62.10(e)(2) to monitor the welfare and progress of the Exchange Visitor
- International Travel requires a specific authorization on the form DS-2019 that can be obtained by submitting a travel authorization e-form request in iStart
- Domestic travel does not require a specific authorization from the OIE
Travel During the 30-day Grace Period (after the DS-2019 program ends):
Exchange Visitors are permitted to use the 30-day grace period for travel within the U.S. Once an Exchange Visitor travels outside of the U.S. after the end date of the J Program, they will not be permitted re-entry as a J Exchange Visitor. They must present another visa type authorizing entry into the U.S.
Occasional Lectures or Short-Term Consultations:
J-1 regulations permit exchange visitors in the professor and scholar J categories to engage in occasional lectures or short-term consultations at locations other than the primary hosting site of activity. Exchange visitors presented with a great opportunity may do so after approval from the OIE.
The terms “occasional lectures” or “short term consultations” embodies the concept of “irregular or infrequent intervals,” rather than an ongoing activity. This should not be viewed as additional employment.
Criteria:
To participate in occasional lectures or short-term consultation, the activity must meet the following criteria:
- It must be directly related to the objectives of the exchange visitor’s program.
- It must be incidental to the exchange visitor’s primary program activities.
- It must not delay the completion date of the current J program at Georgia Tech;
- It must be properly documented on the SEVIS record.
- It must receive prior approval from OIE before the activity commences.
- It must receive prior approval from OIE before the activity commences.
Request:
Exchange visitors must first submit the “J Scholar Occasional Lectures or Consultations” e-form in their istart portal and provide the required documentation.
Provide Supporting documentation
- A letter of recommendation from the Georgia Tech faculty host supervisor. The letter should explain how the activity will enhance the exchange visitor’s J-1 program.
- A letter from the inviter setting forth the terms and conditions of the offer to lecture or consult. The letter should include the duration, number of hours, and description of the activity.
- Proof of funding used for the lecture or consultation.
- If funded by the institution that invited the exchange visitor, the invitation letter will suffice. It must list the amount of funding.
- If funded by Georgia Tech, the letter from your supervisor will suffice. They must indicate that you will continue receiving the funds listed on your DS-2019.
- If funded by any other sources, awards, etc., please upload proof of said funding.
- If funded by a mixture of these sources, please combine all letters into one document and upload that here.
Maintain Status
Exchange visitors are expected to maintain their status while participating in occasional lectures/short-term consultations. Maintaining status includes, but is not limited to:
- Making progress within their J-1 program at Georgia Tech
- Maintaining the required health insurance as outlined – link to OIE insurance page
- Reporting any changes, such as U.S. address, funding, or in the current J-1 program objectives, extensions, etc.