Is there a foreign residence requirement for exchange visitors?
What does the two-year foreign residence requirement prevent an exchange visitor from doing?
What factors determine whether an exchange visitor is subject to the residence requirement?
What's the Exchange Visitor Skills List?
What's the purpose of having the two-year residence requirement?
Does every country have its own Exchange Visitor Skills list?
If I'm subject to the residence requirement, is there any way to get around it?
Where do I go to begin the process of requesting a waiver?
Once I complete the waiver application form, do I submit this information online or by mail?
What information do I need to complete the waiver application form?
What grounds do I need to obtain a residence requirement waiver?
How do I waive the residence requirement based on no objection from my home country?
How do I waive the residence requirement based on a request from a US government agency?
How do I waive the residence requirement based on persecution?
How do I waive the residence requirement based on an exceptional hardship?
How do I waive the residence requirement based on a request from a state public health department?
Where do I check the status of my case for a J-1 visa waiver?
Should I inform the US Department of State if I move or change my phone number during the application process?
Does my J-2 spouse and child also have to follow the residence requirement?
If I'm granted a waiver, does that waiver also apply to my J-2 spouse and child?
How much do I have to pay to have my waiver application processed?
How long will it take for my waiver application to be processed?
Can I get an opinion from the US Department of State as to whether I'm subject to the residence requirement?
Certain visitors are subject to a requirement to live in their home country once the exchange visitor program is over. The residence requirement is for two years.
He can't change the status of his visa or permanently live in the US until he fulfills this requirement.
An exchange visitor may be subject to the residence requirement if his visit was funded by his country, by the US or by an international organization. He may also be subject to the requirement if his education, skill or training from the exchange program is found on his country's Exchange Visitor Skills List. Finally, he may be subject to the requirement if he pursued graduate medical education or training.
The Exchange Visitor Skills List contains specific skills and knowledge that's considered necessary to help the exchange visitor's country.
It's to help home countries by requiring their trained and educated exchange visitors to work in their own countries for two years instead of benefiting another country.
No, many countries don't enforce a residence requirement based on a skills list.
You can request a waiver of the residence requirement with the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.
You can complete an online Form 3035 J-1 Visa Waiver Review Application. A case number will be reserved for you.
You can't submit the application online. You must print out the documents and follow the mailing instructions given to you at the end of the process.
A: The information you need is contained on a variety of documents, including:
A: You can apply for a waiver under any one of five grounds:
A "no objection" statement must be made by your home country and sent to the US Department of State. You can request a statement from your embassy in Washington, DC.
A letter needs to be sent the US Department of State from the head or designated official of the agency. The letter needs to explain why it's in the public interest to grant the waiver request.
You must complete Form 3035 for the US Department of State and Form I-612 for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
A: The state public health department has to send a variety of documents to the US Department of State, including:
You can check your case status online with the J Visa Waiver Status system by entering your case number.
Yes, you should inform the US Department of State of any change in personal contact information. A form is available online.
Yes, your spouse and child are subject to the requirement the same as you.
Yes, your spouse and child won't be subject to the residence requirement.
You have to pay a $215 processing fee to the US Department of State.
Your processing time will vary depending on the reason you chose for your waiver application.
A: You can request an advisory opinion if you're unclear about the residence requirement. Send your request to this address: