Maintaining Immigration Status for Current J-1 Scholars

Incidental Employment

Persons in the U.S. in the J-1 Research Scholar or Professor categories on the University of Colorado Denver’s J-1 program may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations outside campus that are incidental to the primary program activities. Incidental employment must also be directly related to the objectives of the visitor’s program and must not delay the program completion date. If payment for services or other remuneration is received by the exchange visitor as a result of this work, the exchange visitor must act as an independent contractor, not an employee. The exchange visitor should also consult with an international tax specialist to determine the tax implications of such payment.

Before engaging in incidental employment, the Research Scholar must present two letters to ISSS and obtain permission from a Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer of the University’s J-1 program.

• A letter from the person offering the employment outlining the duration, number of hours, field or subject, amount of compensation, and description of the proposed activity. If there is a consulting agreement, a copy of the agreement should be attached.
• A letter from the department head or supervisor recommending the incidental employment and explaining how it would enhance the exchange visitor’s program. The letter should also state that engaging in this employment will not delay the program completion date.

Once a Responsible Officer has reviewed the letter and any related documents, he or she will issue a letter granting permission for the J-1 Research Scholar or Professor to engage in the incidental employment. For questions regarding incidental employment, please contact an International Services Specialist in the International Student and Scholar Services office.

Please set an appointment with our office, or contact us if this is something you are interested in pursuing.

Health Insurance Requirement

U.S. government regulations require ALL J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents to carry health insurance that meets certain standards while they are participating in the J-1 Exchange Program. Federal regulations require that all J-1 participants and their dependents have adequate medical/life insurance coverage which provides:

• $100,000 of coverage per accident or illness, which may include a deductible of up to $500 and up to a 25% co-insurance provision;
• $25,000 for repatriation of remains; and
• $50,000 for emergency evacuation back to your country. Failure to maintain insurance coverage will result in termination of your J-1 status.

For a discussion of medical insurance in the United States and a list of insurance carriers, please see the attached document and list. Most of those who will be employed by the University will purchase medical insurance through the University’s Payroll and Benefits office; paperwork for purchasing insurance will be provided by your department. In most cases, however, you may need to purchase extra coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. These benefits are not part of the University’s medical insurance programs.

J-1 Insurance Requirements

What You Need to Know About Healthcare in the United States

List of J-1 Insurance Carriers

Update Insurance Through Online Form

Transfer To Another J-1 Program

In certain circumstances a J-1 scholar will want to request the transfer of their J-1 DS-2019 to another school or university that is a sponsor of the J-1 Program. . An International Scholar Advisor must release your SEVIS record to the new sponsor before you leave the University.

For more informaiton about a possible transfer, please set an appointment with ISSS so we can discuss with you the possible options.

J-1 Scholar U.S. Tax Information

Taxes are due each April. All international visitors are responsible for filing a tax return each year, even if you have not had any employment.

Please see below the tax reference for International Visitors for more information.

Tax Reference for International Visitors 2016

If you are paid by the university you must see an International Tax Specialist in order to properly fill out the W-4 witholding forms. Please find their information here: International Tax Specialist

J-1 Scholar Address Updates

Your J-1 program sponsor must always have your current U.S. residential address on file. If you change your residential address at any time during your program, please notify ISSS in writing or by e-mail of your new residential address. You should also notify your sponsoring department. In turn, International Student Scholar Services reports your new address to the Department of Homeland Security via SEVIS within 10 days of the change.

J-1 Scholar 30 Day Grace Period

A J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitor with a properly endorsed Form I-94 may remain in the U.S., as long as he/she maintains his/her status, until the Program End Date listed on the DS-2019, plus an additional 30 day “grace period.” During this 30-day grace period, participants are no longer considered to be in J-visa status by the Department of State and the J program sponsor. Program participants may no longer continue and/or complete exchange activities, nor may they work. The USCIS grants this grace period to allow participants to travel, settle their affairs, and prepare to return to their home countries. Although participants may travel in the United States, it is recommended that they do not travel beyond the borders of the United States, as they may not be permitted reentry.

J-1 Scholar Departure From CU Denver

Prior to completion of your program or within 30 days of your termination, please contact ISS so that we can report the completion of your program to SEVIS by your program end date.​