J-1 Exchange Visitors
- International Services
- Immigration Updates
- F-1 Students
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J-1 Exchange Visitors
- J-1 Exchange Visitors
- Bringing Exchange Visitors to UMMC
- Exchange Visitor Categories
- Funding Requirements
- English Proficiency Requirement
- Medical Insurance
- Arriving in the U.S.
- Maintaining Legal Status
- Dependents
- Travel
- Extension of Stay
- Completing the Program
- Transferring from UMMC
- Transferring to UMMC
- Home Country Physical Presence
- J-1 Forms
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H-1B
- H-1B Overview
- Dual Intent
- Department of Labor Requirements
- Sponsoring Department Responsibilities
- IS Responsibilities
- Filing Locations and Fees
- Approval and Notification
- Acquiring Initial H-1B Status
- Length of Authorized Stay
- Dependents
- Travel
- Changing Employers
- Changes in Duties and Responsibilities
- Extension of Status
- Termination of Employment
- H-1B Forms
- Other Visas
- Other Resources
2-Year Home Country Physical Presence
Some J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents are required to return to their home country for a period of two years after completing their exchange program in the United States before they are allowed to change to H-1B status , or apply for permanent residence. This should not be confused with the 24 month bar affecting J-1 research scholars or professors. Those affected by this regulation include:
- Individuals who received their financing for the exchange program directly or indirectly from the U.S. government or a foreign government.
- Individuals whose occupations are highly valued in the home country and are included in the U.S. Department of State's skills list.
- Individuals who come to the United States for graduate medical education or training.
An exchange visitor can request a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement from the U.S. Department of State. The Department of State charges a fee for this request.
The most common method of obtaining a waiver for exchange visitors under the professor or research scholar categories is through a "no objection" statement from the home country government. This is usually handled through the exchange visitor's embassy in Washington. It is common practice for the Department of State to notify UMMC's J-1 Responsible Officer when a favorable decision has been made regarding a waiver recommendation made on behalf of an exchange visitor.
Note: Once IS receives the Department of State's notification regarding the waiver recommendation, no additional extensions of the exchange visitor's program can be granted.