The Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (J-1/J-2s only)

International and Student Scholar Services | The Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (J-1/J-2s only)

Some students and scholars who enter the United States on the J-1 visa are subject to a two-year home country residency requirement that could have a significant impact on their future plans.  The J-1 visa is an ìExchange Visitor Visaî designed to facilitate international educational and cultural exchange.  An integral part of this ìexchangeî is the principle that J-1 visa holders return to their home country and share the knowledge and experience gained while in the United States. The two-year home residency requirement was created to ensure that certain individuals return to their home countries.

The two-year home residency requirement applies to you if any of the following apply:

1. You have received direct financial support from your government or from the US government for the purpose of your participation in the J-1 program.
2. You come from a country that has a ìskills listî and your skill or area of specialty is on that list. The skills lists exist to prevent ìbrain drainî of needed knowledge and skills from a given country.
3. You are coming to the United States to engage in graduate medical training.

If you are subject to the two-year home residency requirement, you will be prevented from the following:

1. Obtaining an H-1B (temporary work) visa
2. Changing your status from J-1 to any other nonimmigrant status (other than G or A) inside the United States
3. Obtaining permanent residency in the United States

The two-year home residency requirement also applies to any dependents holding J-2 status.