Incidental Employment

J-1 Research Scholar, Professors, Specialists or Short-term Scholars on the University of Colorado Denver’s J-1 program are limited to the position and site of activity listed on Form DS-2019.

They may participate in occasional lectures, short-term consultations outside campus that are incidental to the primary program activities and which are authorized in advance by ISSS.

Incidental employment must meet the following conditions:

• Must be directly related to the objectives of the exchange visitor’s program
• must not delay the program completion date.
• If there is payment for services or other compensation to the exchange visitor, 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 payment or compensation.

Before engaging in incidental employment, the exchange visitor must submit a request to ISSS with two letters and obtain permission from ISSS and an updated DS-2019.

• A letter from the prospective employer with
• the begin and end dates
• number of hours
• field or subject
• amount of compensation
• description of the proposed activity
• confirmation that the exchange visitor will be an independent contractor
• A letter from the department head or supervisor
• explaining how it is related to the exchange visitor’s program
• explaining how it will enhance the program
• stating that engaging in the employment will not delay the program completion date

After ISSS reviews the letters and determines the incidental employment meets the conditions, ISSS will issue a letter granting permission. For questions regarding incidental employment schedule a J-1 scholar appointment.