Request to Approve Participation: Short-Term Consultation and/or Occasional Lecture

Procedures for Approval

A J-1 Professor/Researcher/Short-Term Scholar may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations, when authorized in advance and in writing by the Exchange Visitor's sponsor (UChicago) under specific conditions. Of note, the term 'occasional' and/or 'short-term' is interpreted as pertaining to individual occurrences as opposed to continuous engagement in an activity. 

The activity must:

• be directly related to your activity at the University of Chicago;

• be incidental;

• not delay the completion date of your J-1 program; and

• be approved by your PI/supervisor in advance

To receive approval and/or accept wages or other remunerations, a letter from OIA authorizing the lectures or consultations is needed BEFORE this activity occurs. If you are paid, you will need to provide the OIA written letter to the organization/entity that will pay you and act as an independent contractor. 

Failure to receive advance approval and/or an amended Form DS-2019 before accepting an honorarium or other type of payment for engaging in a normally approvable and appropriate activity represents a minor or technical infraction that must be reported in SEVIS.

To request this letter from OIA please email the following to your OIA adviser:

• Subject line should read 'Request to Approve J-1 Activity'

• Provide a brief explanation on how this activity is related to and/or enhances your current J-1 program at UChicago

• Attach a copy of letter/email from PI/Supervisor, approving of your participation

• Attach a copy of letter/description of activity from Offeror that includes the following information:

  • Date/duration of activity,

  • Topic/subject

  • Amount of compensation

  • Detailed description of what you will be doing