J-1 Scholars are limited to the activities described on your DS-2019 and only at the site listed on your document.  

You cannot work for UMass Dining Services.  

Off-Site Activity Requests 

ISSS may authorize an occasional lecture or short-term consultation outside of UMass Amherst, but only with prior written approval. If you engage in off-site activities without prior authorization, you are in violation of your J-1 status, which can cause termination of your J-1 program and your departure from the U.S.  

The proposed activity connected to your authorization request must: 

  • Be directly related to the objectives of your program 

  • For example, if your objective is to complete research or work in CICS, your off-campus opportunity must be related to computer science.  

  • Be incidental to your primary program objectives 

  • Your primary program objectives are listed on your DS-2019. You must continue to meet those requirements. 

  • Not delay the completion of your J-1 program

ISSS requires documentation to consider an off-site activity request. Please use this Request Form and email once done. The document must be signed by all required parties.