The U.S. Department of State recently updated its list of countries subject to the J-1 visa two-year home-country residency requirement. This change significantly impacts many foreign nationals who came to the United States on a J-1 visa for work or study.
What is the J-1 Visa Two-Year Home-Country Residency Requirement?
The J-1 visa is a temporary visa for people coming to the U.S. for exchange programs, like studying, teaching, or working.
In some cases, J-1 visa holders are required to return to their home country for two years before they can:
Apply for certain other U.S. visas (like an H-1B work visa)
Apply for a green card (permanent residency)
What Changed?
The Department of State revised the list of countries whose citizens are subject to the two-year home-country residency requirement.
Many countries were removed from the list, including:
China
India
South Korea
Brazil
Several other countries
What Does This Mean for J-1 Visa Holders?
If you are from a country that was removed from the list, you may no longer be subject to the two-year home-country residency requirement.
This could open up more opportunities for you to stay and work in the United States.
Important Notes:
This change applies retroactively, meaning it may affect people who previously held a J-1 visa.
It's crucial to consult with an immigration attorney to understand how this change applies to your specific situation.
You might still need to fulfill the two-year requirement if you received funding from the U.S. or your home government, or if you completed graduate medical education in the U.S.
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