12 Month Bar after Previous J participation:
An exchange visitor is not eligible to apply for the J-1 Research Scholar or Professor
category if he/she spent time in any J status physically inside the United States
for all or part of the 12 month period prior to the start date of the current request.
This general rule may be disregarded by three exceptions:
- J-1 Transfers: If the exchange visitor is presently inside the U.S. in the
J-1 Research Scholar or Professor category and is requesting a transfer of the J-1
Program sponsor status with sufficient time left in the current program.
- In J-1 for less than 6 months: The exchange visitor spent 6 months or less
in the J status in the previous visit.
- Previous visit as a J-1 Short-Term Scholar: Time spent in the Short-Term
Scholar category is not applicable to the 12 month bar. The exchange visitor is
exempt from the ruling.