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International Student and Scholar Support

Residency Requirements and Bars

The 212(e) home residency requirement and the 12 and 24 month bars, not to be confused with each other, are both important things to consider when participating in the Exchange Visitor Program. Read more below.

Requirement or Bar Who May Be Affected Main Restrcition
Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (212(e)) Exchange visitors with qualifying funding (direct financial support from government), skills list fields, or medical training Limits eligibility for H, L, permanent residency, and some status changes
12-Month Bar Individuals previously in J status for more than six months Prevents new Research Scholar or Professor programs for 12 months
24-Month Bar Former Research Scholars and Professors Prevents repeat participation in those categories for 24 months

U.S. Department of State: Exchange Visitor Program

U.S. Department of state: Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement

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