Current J-1 Scholars

Categorized within are topics deemed significant for current J-1 Scholars.  They are alphabetized for your convenience.


12- & 24-Month Bars per the United States Department of State

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was established primarily to facilitate cultural exchange between United States citizens and individuals from various countries worldwide. Its inception did not intend for it to serve as a means for employment.

Consequently, regulatory barriers or "Bars" to repeat participation were implemented within the program's framework to uphold its intended spirit.

For further details regarding the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and the regulations pertaining to the 12- and 24-month bars, comprehensive information is available on the Department of State's website. Should you have any inquiries concerning these bars, reach out to J-1 Scholar Advising for assistance.

Outlined below is a chart illustrating the specific bars that would be imposed on individuals falling within the listed categories and durations, and aspiring to become J-1 Research Scholars or Professors.

 

Previous Category

6 months or less

More than 6 months

J-1 Student Non-Degree 

No bar

12 months

J-1 Student 

No bar

12 months

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor 

24 months

24 months

J-1 Short-Term Scholar 

No bar

N/A

J-1 Specialist 

No bar

12 months

J-2 Dependent of Research Scholar/Professor Category 

24 months

24 months

J-2 Dependent of any other J-1 category except Short-Term Scholar

No bar

12 months


Example 1  

John is a J-1 Student from August 15, 2023 to August 14, 2024.  John intends to return to the United States as a J-1 Research Scholar on January 1, 2025.  Based on the chart above, John cannot participate because the 24-month bar would apply until August 15, 2025 (12 months).

Example 2  

Maria has been a J-1 Professor since August 1, 2022. Her program will end on July 31, 2024. She has been invited back as a J-1 Research Scholar starting January 1, 2025.  Unfortunately, Maria cannot participate because the 24-month bar would apply to her until August 1, 2026 (24 months).


212(e) Two-Year Home Residency Requirement

If you hold a J-1 Visa and meet any of the criteria outlined below, you may be subject to this requirement. Typically, this designation is indicated on your J-1 Visa stamp and/or DS-2019 form.

It's important to note that if you are subject to this requirement, it also applies to your J-2 dependents.

Criteria:

  • You have received funding from your government or the U.S. government for your participation in the J-1 program.
  • Your skills are considered to be in short supply by your home country.
  • You have completed clinical training, such as a medical residency or fellowship.

Advisory Opinion on Subjectivity to 212(e):

If you are unsure whether the two-year home residency requirement applies to you after reviewing the eligibility criteria on the Department of State website, you have the option to request the Department of State's Waiver Review Division to conduct an Advisory Opinion. This involves a review of your exchange visitor program documents to determine your status regarding this requirement. For further details, please refer to the Department of State Advisory Opinion webpage.

How to meet the requirement:

Individuals subject to the two-year home residency requirement are obligated to reside and be physically present in their home country for a total of two years following the conclusion of their J-1 program.  Alternatively, you may seek a waiver to be eligible for:

  • An immigrant visa or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (immigrant/green card) status.
  • Certain nonimmigrant visa categories, including H Visa (temporary workers and dependents), L Visa (intra-company transferees and dependents), or K Visa (fiancé and dependents).
  • Changing your nonimmigrant status within the U.S. from J to any other nonimmigrant category except A (diplomatic), G (international organization), or U (victims of qualifying criminal activity) statuses.

If you intend to pursue a waiver of the 212(e), it is crucial to discuss your plans with J-1 Scholar Advising and your host department. Failure to do so may affect your eligibility for J-1 status extension or transfer to another institution.

It's essential to understand that applying for and obtaining a waiver without consulting J-1 Scholar Advising and your host department does not imply that Penn State University is obliged to sponsor you for an H-1B visa.


Change of Status  

There are two (2) ways to change your status:

  1. Leave the U.S. and apply for the appropriate visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, and re-enter the U.S. in that new visa status; or
  2. Apply for a change of status with USCIS.  **NOT recommended since USCIS currently takes twelve to fifteen (12 to 15) months to process the I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status**

   
You cannot change your status within the United States if you:  

  • entered the U.S. under the Visa-Waiver Pilot Program (ESTA) in WT or WB status  
  • are currently in J-1 or J-2 status, and you are subject to the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement 
  • are currently in B-1 or B-2 (visitor) status and it appears that you entered the U.S. to participate in exchange visitor activity  

  
Examples of Possible Changes  

Current Status

Desired Status

Considerations

J-1

Another nonimmigrant status (ex. F-1) 

Procedures vary depending on category being sought.

  1. Travel to your home country to request your visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, or 
  2. Apply to USCIS for a change of status **NOT recommended since premium processing of the I-539, Application to Extend / Change Nonimmigrant Status, is costly**  (Not eligible to apply if subject to 2-Year Home Residency Requirement)

Another nonimmigrant status 

J-1 Status

  1. Travel to your home country to request your visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, or
  2. Apply to USCIS for a change of status **NOT recommended since premium processing of the I-539, Application to Extend / Change Nonimmigrant Status, is costly**

J-1

H-1B

Discretion of the Penn State host department and International Faculty Advising.

Contact the department first to discuss available visa options within your department.

J-1 Category

J-1 Other Category

Not possible without the permission of the U.S. Department of State.   

Considered “change of category,” not “change of status”  

The only category change permitted, without prior approval from USCIS, is a change from Research Scholar to Professor or the reverse. These activities are so similar this is not considered a change of program objective. 

 


Extension of Program

Your departmental contact should start the J-1 Extension Checklist no less than one month before your current DS-2019 expires.

If you're a Penn State employee, your contact will upload your new offer letter, and J-1 Scholar Advising will verify your insurance status.

If you're not a Penn State employee, you must demonstrate funding and insurance for the extension period. Contact your supervisor and departmental contact promptly to prevent delays, as unpaid employees require approval from the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

For an extension, you must provide financial documentation:

  • Bank statements must be official, dated, and easily accessible.
  • Supporting documentation must be dated within the last six months.
  • Letters of sponsorship must specify the exact amount and dates.
  • Payroll statements, future earnings statements, and non-liquid assets are not accepted.

All documents should be in English or translated.


Incidental Employment

As a J-1 Scholar, you can engage in occasional lectures or short-term consultations with prior authorization from J-1 Scholar Advising. These activities must align with your program objectives and not delay its completion. Specifically, according to 22 CFR 62.20(g)(1):

  • Activities must be directly related to your program's objectives.
  • They should not interfere with your primary program activities.
  • The activity must enhance your current J-1 program.
  • They must not delay your program's completion.
  • All activities must be documented in SEVIS.

Program Exit

It is important that International J-1 Scholar Advising be notified of your departure from Penn State so that your DS-2019 reflects an accurate program end date and your record is completed properly.  

As a J-1 scholar, you have a 30-day grace period at the end of your program to depart the United States.  


Transfer Out

If you intend to transfer your J-1 sponsorship to another university to continue your program, you must explain how your J-1 program at the new institution has the same objectives as your J-1 program at Penn State.

Upon submission, J-1 Scholar Advising will evaluate your request and manage the process of transferring your J-1 program to the new institution.

It is crucial to note: If you are subject to the 212(e) Two-Year Home Residency Requirement or if you have obtained a waiver for this requirement, it is imperative to discuss your options with J-1 Scholar Advising. This is particularly important if your J-1 program necessitates an extension as part of the transfer process.


Travel Abroad

Up to 30 days abroad: J-1 Scholars can travel outside the U.S. for up to 30 days with a valid travel signature.

If your J-1 visa is expired, you'll need to plan to obtain a new one from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, as visa stamps are required for border crossings.  J-1 visas are only issued at embassies and consulates abroad.

Travel to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands doesn't require a valid J-1 visa for reentry to the U.S. Read about Automatic Revalidation on the U.S. Department of State's website for details.

30+ days abroad: J-1 Scholars may travel outside the U.S. for over 30 days with special authorization. You must:

  • Continue authorized program activities (e.g., research or teaching)
  • Maintain medical insurance
  • Keep the Penn State host department informed of your progress and well-being
  • Take your J-2 dependents with you

General Travel Advice  

When traveling internationally, ensure you have the following documents:

  • Most recent DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
  • Valid passport (must be valid for at least six months)
  • Valid J-1 visa stamp in your passport (except for Canadian citizens)
  • Most recent invitation/offer letter from Penn State host department
  • Documentation for any J-2 dependents traveling with you

If transiting through another country, check that country’s embassy or consulate website for visa requirements.

After submitting your J-1 Waiver application, you are strongly discouraged from traveling abroad even if you have a valid J-1 visa stamp in your passport.