12- and 24-Month Bars
On Repeat J Program Participation
The purpose of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is to facilitate understanding between the U.S. and other countries through mutual exchange. To encourage this goal, the U.S. Department of State created bars on repeat J program participation. The 12- and 24-month bars may apply to you if you previously spent time in the U.S.
in J-1 or J-2 status and now wish to return as a
J-1 Research Scholar/Professor. Depending on the duration and category of your previous J program (see box 4 on Form DS-2019), you may be subject to a 12-month bar, a 24-month bar, or neither.
Note:
- These bars do not prevent you from returning to the U.S. in a different immigration status.
- These bars are different than the
two-year home residence requirement (212e). There is no waiver for the 12- or 24-month bar.
The charts below show how long you must wait before you can start a new J-1 Research Scholar/Professor program based on the duration and category of your previous J program. The wait time begins the day after your previous J program ended.
Previous J Program Duration: 6 months or less
| Previous J Category | Wait for new J-1 Research Scholar/Professor Program |
|---|
| Any category besides Research Scholar/Professor | No wait |
| Research Scholar/Professor | 24 months |
Previous J Program Duration: More than 6 months
| Previous J Category | Wait for new J-1 Research Scholar/Professor Program |
|---|
| Any category besides Research Scholar/Professor | 12 months |
| Research Scholar/Professor | 24 months |
Revised 02/2021
