Change in J Scholar Regulations
Effective on November 18, 2006, the U.S. Department of State introduced changes to the regulations governing the J-1 Exchange Visitor Research Scholar/Professor Category. Please note that these changes do not affect the J-1 Short-Term Scholar Category or any other visa types. Below are the changes and their impact:
Five Year Maximum Stay
The maximum length of program for J-1 exchange visitors in the Research Scholar and Professor category has been increased from three to five years.
The 24-Month Repeat Participation Bar
At the end of a J-1 research scholar’s or professor’s exchange visitor program, regardless of the length of his/her stay, the exchange visitor becomes subject to a two year bar on repeat participation as a J-1 research scholar or professor. This means that when a research scholar or professor completes his or her J-1 program, s/he is not eligible for another period of stay as a J-1 research scholar or professor until two years have passed. This bar is also applicable to the J-2 dependents. The 24-month bar is not the same as the Two Year Home Country Residence Requirement.
Impact of the 24-Month Bar
The 24-month bar could have negative implications on the abilities of a J-1 exchange visitor and/or his/her J-2 dependent to return to the United States using the Research Scholar or Professor Category. When a scholar either concludes or leaves the J-1 program, whichever is earlier, the scholar’s record becomes inactive in SEVIS; thus making it impossible for the HIO to reactivate it. At that point, the 24-month bar time starts to accrue. Therefore, it is extremely important for the HIO to be informed of a scholar’s departure from Harvard and his/her future plans, so that we can properly maintain the scholar’s SEVIS record to facilitate his/her possible return to the United States.
What You Should Do
You can help by encouraging the scholars completing their programs at Harvard to talk with the HIO as soon as they know what their departure date from Harvard is. You can also help by informing the HIO as soon as you know of the scholar’s plan for leaving Harvard. Regardless of the length of their stays under Harvard’s J-1 program, upon departure they will be subject to the 24-month bar on participation in the J1 Research Scholar/Professor Category.