12-Month and 24-Month Bars
The primary purpose of establishing the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was to facilitate cultural exchange between U.S. citizens and individuals from various countries worldwide, rather than for employment purposes. The program incorporates regulations, known as "bars," which serve to uphold the program's intended spirit and discourage repeated participation for employment.
It's important to differentiate these bars from the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement, which restricts exchange visitors from changing their U.S. status, applying for H-1B or L employment visas, or adjusting their status to legal permanent resident before fulfilling or waiving this requirement.
For more details on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and the 12- and 24-month bars, refer to the Department of State's website. If you have further inquiries regarding these bars, please reach out to J-1 Scholar Advising.
The following chart outlines the specific bars that would apply to individuals in
listed categories for the indicated duration, particularly those aspiring to become
J-1 Research Scholar/Professor.
|
Previous Category |
6 months or less | More than 6 months |
|---|---|---|
| J-1 Student Non-Degree | No bar | 12 months |
| J-1 Student | No bar | 12 months |
| J-1 Research Scholar/Professor | 24 months | 24 months |
| J-1 Short-Term Scholar | No bar | N/A |
| J-1 Specialist | No bar | 12 months |
| J-2 Dependent of Research Scholar/Professor Category | 24 months | 24 months |
| J-2 Dependent of any other J-1 category except Short-Term Scholar | No bar | 12 months |