12 and 24-Month Bars on Repeat Participation

Bars on Repeat Participation for J-1 Research Scholars and Professors

Previous time spent in the U.S. in certain J-1 or J-2 visa categories affects when a prospective scholar is eligible for a new J-1 Research Scholar/Professor program. The specific J-1 or J-2 category previously used and the amount of time present in the U.S. in that category determine when a prospective scholar is eligible to begin a new J-1 Research Scholar/Professor program. The table below can be used to determine when a prospective scholar can begin a new J-1 Research Scholar/Professor program, based on previous visits to the U.S. in J status and the amount of time spent in that status.

Previous Visits to the U.S. Using J-1 or J-2 Visa Status

 

J Category Used During Previous Visit Time Present in U.S. in that J Category Wait Time Until Eligible for New J-1 Research Scholar or Professor Program* 

J-1 Research Scholar or Professor 

OR 

J-2 Dependent of a Research Scholar or Professor 

 

Any amount of time (between 1 day and 5 years) 

 

24 months

J-1 Student Non-Degree 

J-1 Student 

J-1 Specialist 

Any other J-1 category, except Research Scholar/Professor 

J-2 Dependent of the categories above 

 

 

MORE than 6 months

 

12 months

J-1 Student Non-Degree 

J-1 Student 

J-1 Specialist 

J-1 Short-Term Scholar

Any other J-1 cateory, except Research Scholar/Professor

J-2 Dependent of the categories above

 

 

LESS than 6 months

 

NONE

Your ability to begin a new J-1 Research Scholar/Professor category is unaffected by your previous stay in the U.S.

*The wait time begins the day after the SEVIS record associated with the previous stay ended.

  • ISSS at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä or the international office where you did your previous J program (if you were a J-1 at another institution) can confirm the end date of the program. 
  • You are not required to be outside of the U.S. during the 12 or 24 months that you must wait to begin the new Research Scholar or Professor program (it is okay to be in the U.S. in another visa category during this time).