ISSS will consult with scholars, divisions and departments on individual cases to determine the appropriate type of visa and category for researchers and professors from other countries. We recommend consulting with ISSS as far in advance as possible to allow adequate planning time.
At the end of the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor’s program, regardless of the length of the stay (i.e. 7 months, 2 years, or 5 years), the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor becomes subject to a 24 month bar on repeat participation. This means that when a J-1 Research Scholar/Professor completes his or her J-1 program participation regardless of the length the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor status is concluded and he or she is not eligible for another stay as a J-1 Research Scholar/Professor until 24 months have passed. (The 24 month bar does not apply to the J-1 “short-term scholar” category which has a maximum limit of 6 months.)
The 24 months can be spent in the U.S. in another J-1 category (i.e. Short term Scholar or Specialist) or in another immigration status, such as H-1B, if eligible.
The 24 month bar only applies if the individual wants to return to the U.S. in the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor category. It is different from the Two Year Foreign Residence Requirement 212(e).