Publications, Conferences, & Work/Employment
Students may encounter opportunities to participate in academic publishing and conferences or receive outreach from publishers or organizations interested in having them contribute to a book, magazine, blog, or other publications. While these opportunities are common in most academic settings, immigration regulations do not clearly define which situations require prior work/employment authorization.
Therefore, the ISO strongly advises all international students to consult with their ISO Advisor and an immigration attorney BEFORE engaging in publishing or conference activities.
In general, the following activities would not require off-campus employment authorization:
- Presentation of a student’s personal research (such as a paper or session at an academic conference) where no stipend, pay, or honorarium is received in return. Reimbursement of actual travel expenses to attend the conference would be allowed, though not to exceed the actual cost of participation.
- Publication of a student’s completed independent academic thesis/dissertation.
- Sale of personal intellectual property already completed (such as a painting, book, or other item completed by the student that has not been contracted for the student to produce for another individual or organization).
ATTENTION – IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:
- Situations in which a student is contacted by a publisher or other organization to specifically produce, edit, or create a chapter or a whole book, a piece of art, or other items under terms of a contract or other agreement may be considered work/employment-related activities and would require prior off-campus work/employment authorization.
- If any form of remuneration, compensation, and/or payment is received for providing an activity/service—including salary, wages, commissions, or non-monetary benefits such as allowances, accommodation, or meals—the student MUST obtain work/employment authorization BEFORE participating in the activity/service.
- Additionally, if others are involved in similar activities/services (e.g., co-authors), receive compensation; even if the student does not, off-campus work/employment authorization is still required BEFORE the student can participate in the activities/services.
- Publication opportunities conducted solely for academic benefit, with no remuneration, compensation, and/or payment of any kind provided to any participant, may not require work/employment authorization. However, students should consult their ISO Advisor in advance to confirm eligibility.
Each student’s situation is unique. BEFORE engaging in any activity/service, students should consult their ISO Advisor to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. Students should provide all relevant details, written agreements, or other documentation outlining the terms of the activity/service in advance of the consultation.
