J-1 Repeat Participation Bars

12-Month Bar

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulation 22 CFR 62.20(d)(ii) established a 12-month bar on beginning a new J-1 program as a Research Scholar or Professor for those persons who spent the previous year in the U.S. in any J status (J-1 or J- 2). The bar does not apply to transfers from one institution to another, to persons who were Short-Term Scholars or to persons whose J program lasted less than six months.

24-Month Bar

USCIS regulation 22 CFR 62.20(i)(2) established a “24-month bar” on repeat participation as a Research Scholar or Professor for those persons were present in the United States in J-1 Research Scholar or Professor Category on or after Nov. 17, 2006. The bar does not apply to transfers from one institution to another.

Please note that these bars only prevent new programs for Research Scholars and Professors who have previously held J status. They do not prevent someone who has held J status from beginning a new program as a J-1 Student or a Short-Term Scholar. Once the applicable 12-month or 24-month time period has lapsed, exchange visitors are again eligible to begin a program in any J category.