Change in Work Sites & Hours
Important: The following information is intended for Emory department administrators who will request changes to a current scholar's program/employment. However, current international scholars, supervisors or other administrators interested in understanding the international scholar program/employment change process may find the following information helpful.
Departments that host/hire international scholars are responsible for reporting changes to a scholar's program/employment to ISSS in a timely manner. Depending on the scholar's nonimmigrant status and other factors, these types of changes may or may not be possible. Before a change can go into effect, ISSS will need to review the request and determine if a SEVIS update, travel and/or a new government petition is necessary.
Please see below for visa specific guidance. However, in general, a change from full-time to part-time employment is not allowed at Emory as Emory only sponsors full-time international scholars. Also, adding or changing worksites requires ISSS approval before a scholar begins working at a new site.
Departments should feel free to reach out to their assigned ISSS advisor with any questions. ISSS is here to help.
Change in Hours
J-1 scholars must be engaged in their Exchange Visitor program full time (at least 32 hours/week), so reduction in hours is not allowed.
Change in Worksites
A “site of activity” is the name and address of the place where an exchange visitor will actually engage in their program activities. In SEVIS, an exchange visitor must have a primary site of activity listed, but a site of activity can be added when the J-1 scholar will engage in activities at another location. All sites of activity must be reported to ISSS so that SEVIS can be updated accordingly. At Emory, J-1 scholars are limited to no more than two sites of activity at a time. With limited exceptions (see below), all J-1 scholars should conduct their activities on Emory's premises, and they should perform only J-1 activities for Emory.
Request to Add or Change a Site of Activity
To request the addition or change to a J-1 scholar's sites of activity, the department administrator should log into ISSS Link and complete the Add or Change J-1 Scholar Site of Activity form found under the J-1 Scholar Management tab. In the form, the department will provide the name and address of all new worksites, contact information for the J-1 scholar's supervisor and inform ISSS if the scholar's activities will change as a result of the change in site. If a site is not solely owned and operated by Emory University, the department will need to provide an explanation. The department will be emailed once the request has been reviewed by ISSS. If approved, the new site of activity will reported in SEVIS and the scholar may begin working at the new location.
Remote Work
J-1 scholars are permitted to conduct some of their J-1 program activities remotely from their residential address as long as they participate in remote activities no more than 40% of the time (e.g. no more than two days a week out of five). As stated above, J-1 scholars are limited to no more than two sites of activity at a time. This includes a local residential address if a scholar will conduct their J-1 activities remotely from home. To report a residential address as a J-1 site of activity, the J-1 scholar must complete the Telecommuting Schedule for Emory Scholars form. This e-form can be found under the General Scholar Services tab in ISSS Link.
Non-Emory Worksites
If there are extenuating circumstances requiring a scholar's J-1 activity to occur at a non-Emory site, departments should contact their assigned ISSS advisor right away to discuss the situation. If a department is considering requesting permission to place a J-1 scholar at a non-Emory site, they must be aware of the following:
- J-1 activities at a non-Emory worksite are only permitted if the J-1 scholar will be under full, ongoing supervision of a regular full-time Emory faculty member.
- The site must be under Emory's control per the lease.
- J-1s cannot be at a site that has not been reported in SEVIS to comply with federal regulations.
- Per a 2015 J-1 law, it might not be possible for a non-Emory site of activity to be approved. Even if it is permissable, the approval process could take several months.
Change in Hours
A change from full-time to part-time employment is not allowed at Emory as Emory only sponsors full-time international scholars. Part-time engagement is not allowed.
Change in Worksites
Request to Add or Change a Worksite
All changes to an H-1B/E-3 employee's worksite(s) must be submitted to ISSS prior to the change taking place. To add or change an H-1B/E-3 employee's worksite, the department administrator should log into ISSS Link and complete the H-1B/E-3 Change in Worksite form found under the H-1B/E-3 Employee Management tab. In the form, the department will provide the scholar's current worksite address and the new/proposed worksite address. The department will also need to state whether the new site is owned/leased and operated by Emory. Depending on the location, and if the site is owned/operated or leased by Emory University, filing an amended petition may be required.
Remote Work
H-1B/E-3 employees may telecommute, but before starting any remote work, the scholar must complete the Telecommuting Schedule for Emory Scholars form. This form can be found under the General Scholar Services tab in ISSS Link. After reviewing the request, ISSS will email the scholar instructions that they must follow before their residential address is approved as a worksite. However, if the scholar will be working from within the US, but from outside the metro Atlanta area, an amendment to the scholar's H-1B/E-3 is necessary.
Change in Hours
A FTE change requires the filing of an amended petition with USCIS. Visit ISSS' International Scholar Request Process page for the request form and associated information.
Change in Worksites
Changes to an O-1 employee's worksite will likely require Emory to file an amended O-1 petition. All changes to an O-1 employee's worksite(s) should be discussed with ISSS prior to the change taking place.
Departments interested in adding or changing an O-1 employee's worksites should contact the ISSS staff member who handled the current (previously filed) O-1 petition to start the discussion. If a department is unsure which ISSS advisor to contact, they should email isss@emory.edu.
Change in Hours
To request a change in hours for a TN scholar, departments must do the following:
- Draft a letter from the TN scholar's supervisor to ISSS confirming the change in employment. (Download the Change in FTE letter template)
- Email a copy of the letter to the department's ISSS advisor.
- Once the request is approved by ISSS, there are two options to put the change into effect:
- The employee travels back to Canada or Mexico and re-enters the US in TN status based on the change in hours; or
- The department files a new petition with USCIS that reflects the change in the position.
ISSS recommends having the employee travel back to Canada or Mexico because it is faster and less expensive. If the department decides to file a petition from within the US, the department administrator will need to initiate a new scholar request in ISSS Link.
Change in Worksites
To add or change a TN employee's worksite, the hiring department should notify their ISSS advisor as soon as possible.
Changes to a TN employee's worksite(s) should be submitted to ISSS prior to the change taking place.