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OISSS > For International Students > J-1 > Two-Year Home Residency Requirement

J-1
Two-Year Home Residency Requirement

Certain J-1 holders who either have governmental funding, or whose academic area is considered critical to their home country and thus appears on the United States Information Agency (USIA) "Skills List," may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement. A J-1 holder subject to this requirement would be compelled to return to the home country for a period of two years upon completion of the J-1 program, before the J-1 holder could petition for either H1-B temporary worker status or an immigrant visa (green card). If you are subject to the two-year residency requirement you are not eligible to change to any other visa status within the United States.

Information regarding waiver of the 2-year home residency requirement can be found at the Department of State's website.