Change in Work Sites & Hours

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 an 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 Emory's J-1 activities. 

Request to Add or Change a Sites of Activity

To request the addition or change to a J-1 scholar's sites of activity, department administrator should log into ISSS Link and complete the "Add or Change J-1 Scholar Site of Activity" e-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 of activity. 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. 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 Emory’s 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" e-form (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 (but still under full, ongoing supervision of a regular full-time Emory faculty member at a site which is under Emory's control per lease, etc.), please contact the department's ISSS advisor right away to discuss the situation. J-1s cannot be at a site that has not been reported in SEVIS to comply with federal regulations.

Please note that under 2015 J-1 law, it might not be possible for a non-Emory site of activity to be approved. Even if it is approvable, the process could take several months for approval. 

Change in Hours

A change from full-time to part-time employment, or vice versa, 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) should be submitted to ISSS prior to the change taking place. To add or change an H-1B/E-3 employee's worksite, department administrator should log into ISSS Link and complete the "H-1B/E-3 Change in Worksite" e-form found under the "H-1B/E-3 Employee Management" tab. In the form, the department will provide the scholar's current worksite address, new/proposed worksite address, and 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" e-form (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

The FTE change requires a filing of an amended petition with USCIS.  So, please visit here for the request form and associated information. 

Change in Worksites

To add or change an O-1 employee's worksite, the hiring department should contact your ISSS Advisor as possible. 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.

Change in Hours

To request a change in hours for a TN scholar, please follow the steps below. 

1. Download a template and draft a letter from the TN scholar's supervisor to ISSS confirming the change in employment. 
2. Email the department's ISSS advisor with a copy of the letter.
3. Once the request is approved, 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 new position; 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.