Overview for Scholars

Scholar Immigration Definitions

Scholar Obtaining Your Visa (J-1)

Scholar Obtaining Your Visa (H-1B and O-1)

Scholar Transfer of Visa Supervision

Scholar Change of Status

Message for Canadian Scholars

Potential Delays in Visa Issuance

Scholar Tax Information

Health Insurance Overview for J-1 Scholars

Employment for J-1 Scholars

Employment Authorization for J-2

Employment for H-1B or O-1 Scholars

Scholar Maintaining Immigration Status (J-1)

Scholar Maintaining Immigration Status (H-1B and O-1)

J-1 Scholar Travel Information

H-1B Scholar Travel Information

O-1 Scholar Travel Information

Scholar Departure Information

Home Country Residency Requirement

Address Change Form

Employment for J-1 Scholars

If a scholar is sponsored by Columbia University's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as a Professor or Research Scholar (see category indicated on the DS-2019, section 4), the scholar may apply for employment authorization in certain circumstances.

The most common employment authorization is that indicated on the DS-2019 issued by Columbia University which is used to enter the United States or to transfer from another program within the United States. This employment authorization requires a University appointment (i.e. Visiting Professor of Chemistry, Postdoctoral Research Scientist/Scholar in Microbiology) and is indicated on the DS-2019, section 5.

Occasional Lectures or Consultations, either at Columbia University or elsewhere, must be authorized in advance of accepting the employment and must be in writing. The employment may be authorized if the proposed employment meets the following criteria:

• is directly related to the objectives of the Exchange Visitor's Program
  
• is incidental to the primary program activities
  
• will not delay the completion of the Exchange Visitor's Program

To obtain authorization for such incidental employment, the scholar should present the following documents to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO):

• A letter from the prospective employer describing the terms and conditions of the proposed employment, including the duration, number of hours, field of study, amount of compensation, and a description of the activity for which the scholar is being hired.
  
  
• A letter from the department head or academic sponsor which includes the following:
  
  1. refers to the letter from the proposed employer
  2. confirms that the proposed employment is directly related to the scholar's principal reason for being at Columbia University, is indeed incidental, and will not delay completion of the program
  3. explains how the proposed employment would enhance the scholar's Exchange Visitor Program
  4. recommends approval of the proposed employment
     
     
• DS-2019
  
• Passport and I-94 card

Employment other than that defined by the University appointment held by a scholar must be authorized. The scholar must receive written authorization from the designated Responsible Office of the J-1 Program if a specific opportunity s approved. In the case of a Columbia University DS-2019, employment must be authorized by the ISSO.

Note: Visiting scholars/scientists (i.e. those designated by the Provost's Office and without a University appointment) may not be employed at Columbia University. However, a visiting scholar/scientist may, under certain circumstances, give up this designation and hold a University appointment, thereby allowing the scholar to be employed by Columbia University.

Last reviewed: 27 October 2003 Last modified: 27 October 2003
International Students and Scholars Office
Columbia University