Students Studying in The United States 12-Month Bar for J-1 Visiting Students

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.