24 Month Bar:
Effective November 18, 2006, the U.S. Department of State established that individuals
who previously spent all or part of the 5 years maximum duration on the J-1 Research
Scholar or Professor category are restricted from applying for the Research Scholar
or Professor category until the exchange visitor has been out of their previous
status for 24 months.
This means the exchange visitor will need to wait 24 months from the end date of
their previous program before he/she may be allowed to apply for the Research Scholar/Professor
category.
The 24 month bar applies to the following circumstances:
- - If the Research Scholar or Professor completes the full 5 year maximum duration
of the academic program.
- - If the Research Scholar or Professor completes the academic program prior to the
full 5 year maximum duration period. This is the “use it or lose it” basis issued
by the U.S. Department of State. The individual is not eligible to recoup the remaining
unused time.