NEWS FROM SCHOLAR SERVICES

Important, Action Required: J-1 Remote Engagement Policy Change

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing today to inform you that the US Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, will be ending their policy allowing for temporary modifications of exchange visitor programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as of July 1, 2023.

Departmental action is required; please read this email in its entirety.

What does this mean?

The following information applies to J-1 exchange visitors in the Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar, Specialist, and Student Intern categories.

Exchange visitors may participate remotely no more than 40% of their program (e.g., two out of five days per week). Any remote engagement must also be noted appropriately in the government database (SEVIS) by indicating the scholar’s home address as a secondary site of activity.

For J-1 Exchange Visitors who begin their activity at NYU on or before June 30, 2023, this rule will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

For J-1 Exchange Visitors who begin their activity at NYU on or after July 1, 2023 this rule will be in effect for the entire duration of their J-1 program.

Actions to be taken by the department

Review your records to identify any J-1 exchange visitors in the Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar, Specialist, and Student Intern categories affiliated with your department/school. Contact ogs.scholars@nyu.edu if you are unsure whether your department has any J-1 exchange visitors.
Follow up with the proper contacts within your department/school for any current J-1 exchange visitors (such as the faculty supervisor/sponsor) to ensure they are aware of this change in governmental policy. We have sent an email about this to the scholars directly, but you will also need to follow up within the department/school to ensure everyone is aware of the government’s adjusted policy.
Ensure any future/potential scholars are aware of this requirement, and ensure any offers extended to potential J-1 exchange visitors follow this policy. Please specify these limitations when issuing invitation/offer letters or otherwise communicate this directly to prospective scholars before starting the J-1 process. Informing scholars early will help avoid surprises and set expectations.

Actions to be taken by the scholar

So you are aware, OGS has asked all current scholars in the Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar, Specialist, and Student Intern categories to report any remote work so that we can properly document their remote location within the government database (SEVIS). We have shared a form with them; the scholar is required to fill out the form if they are or will be engaging in any remote work. All future scholars will also be asked to report any remote engagement during their arrival.

If any scholars contact you about this, please encourage them to fill out the form as soon as possible. For your reference, here is the link to the form: Report J-1 Remote Engagement. We have also added this to our Maintaining J-1 Status page. If any scholars face difficulties accessing the form, they should contact us directly at ogs.scholars@nyu.edu.

As always, we greatly appreciate your cooperation. Please contact us with any questions or concerns that may arise in relation to this policy change.

Sincerely,

International Faculty and Research Scholar Services