NEWS FROM SCHOLAR SERVICES

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. 

Action is required; please read this email in its entirety.

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. This means any and all remote activities/locations must be reported to OGS.

For J-1 Exchange Visitors who will already be in active J-1 status on or before June 30, 2023, this rule will go into effect on January 1, 2024. (The J-1 start date indicated on your DS-2019 must be June 30, 2023 or earlier and you must have completed the arrival process with OGS on or before June 30, 2023.)

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

You must report any remote engagement/work to OGS, so we can properly record the location in your SEVIS record.

For J-1 Exchange Visitors who will already be in active J-1 status on or before June 30, 2023: if you are or will be engaging in any remote activities, please Report Your J-1 Remote Engagement as soon as possible. You will need to limit your remote engagement to 40% or less as of January 1, 2024, but all remote locations must be reported immediately.

For J-1 Exchange Visitors who will be in active J-1 status on or after July 1, 2023: you will need to report any remote work engagement and locations during the arrival process with OGS.