12 and 24-Month Bars for J-1 Scholars

Prospective J-1 Scholars who have been in the United States in any J category other than the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor category in the last 12 months are not eligible to enter the U.S. in the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor category for 12 months following the program end date of the previous J program. The 12-month bar applies to both the J-1 Scholar and J-2 dependents.

The 12-month bar does not apply in the following circumstances:

• The duration of the previous J program was less than six months.
• The Exchange Visitor was previously in the U.S. in the J-1 Short Term Scholar category.

The 12-month bar does not prevent individuals from returning to the U.S. in another J category or another visa status.

J-1 Visiting Students: PLEASE NOTE – if your program length is 6 months or more, you become subject to the 12 month bar. For visiting PhD students who may be planning to eventually do a postdoctoral fellowship or other non-student research experience in the U.S., please plan accordingly. This means after finishing your J-1 visiting student program that is longer than 6 months, you will not be able to immediately move into a postdoctoral position through the J-1 program, and would need to wait 12 months to return to the U.S. in the J-1 Research Scholar category.

Prospective J-1 Scholars who have been in the U.S. in the Research Scholar/Professor category in the last 24 months are not eligible to enter the U.S. in the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor category for 24 months following the program end date of the previous Research Scholar/Professor program.

Additionally, the 24-month bar applies:

• If a J-1 Research Scholar/Professor has a program duration of longer than six months, but ends the program sooner than six months (e.g. due to extenuating circumstances).
• To both the J-1 Scholar and J-2 dependents.

The 24-month bar does not apply in the following circumstances:

• The J-1 Scholar was previously in the U.S. in the Short Term Scholar category.
• The J-1 Scholar transferred between institutions without any gaps in their program.

Current J-1 Scholars who anticipate continuing their research or teaching at Northeastern or at another institution should consult with the Office of Global Services (OGS) about a program extension or transferring to another institution.

Program extension and transfer requests must be submitted to OGS at least one month prior to the J-1 Scholar’s current program end date to avoid the DS-2019 from expiring and activating the 24-month bar.

The 24-month bar:

• Does not prevent individuals from returning to the U.S. in another J category or another visa status.
• Only applies to J-1 Research Scholars/Professors.
• Is determined by the visa category and cannot be waived.
• Is distinct from the 212(e) Two-Year Home Residency Requirement