Two-Year Home Residency Requirement
The two-year home country residence and physical presence requirement indicate a person who is subject to this requirement must "reside and be physically present" in their "home" country for an aggregate of two years before being eligible for certain immigration benefits.
Exchange visitors who are subject to the two-year home-country residence requirement must “reside and be physically present” in their “home” country for an aggregate of two years before being eligible for certain immigration benefits.
- Government-funded Exchange Program – You participated in a program funded in whole or in part by your home or U.S. government.
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Specialized Knowledge or Skill – You participated in a program involving an area of study or field of specialized knowledge designated as necessary for further development of your home country which is listed on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for your home country.
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Graduate Medical Education/Training – You participated in a program to receive graduate medical education or training.
If you are subject to the two-year home residency requirement, you must return to your home country for a cumulative total period of at least two years and you cannot do any of the following until you fulfill this requirement:
- Change status in the United States to a nonimmigrant temporary worker (H) or intracompany transferee (L);
- Adjust status in the United States to immigrant visa/lawful permanent resident status (LPR);
- Receive an immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate; or
- Receive a temporary worker (H), the intracompany transferee (L), or fiancé (K) visa.
Applying for a Waiver of the J-1 Two-Year Home Residency Requirement
If you meet certain criteria, you may apply to the Department of State for a waiver.