: J1 visa changes US modifies J-visitor visa rules by removing two-year home country requirement J-1 visa holders will no longer face additional On December 9, 2024, The Department of State issued two major revisions to its Exchange Visitor Skills list resulting in reducing the number of If you are subject to the 2-year foreign residency requirement, you need a J1 visa waiver to be able to change status in the United Breaking: J-1 visa rules updated in 2024. remains one of the top destinations for international students, but navigating its visa process requires staying updated on the latest Rumors in November 2025 suggested a J-1 visa crackdown, but there is no official policy change. with options for green cards, asylum, and SIJS. It's unbelievable how long the EVSP is taking to Introduction Acquiring J-1 status using the form DS-2019 issued by Yale can be accomplished in one of two ways: By entering the United States with a DS-2019 and an J-1 visa obtained at a Quick Hits On December 9, 2024, the State Department updated the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List, revising the countries subject to the two-year Switching from F1 Visa OPT Status to a J1 Visa: Is It Possible? Switching from F-1 OPT to J-1 in 2025 requires a precise, document The U. has revised the Exchange Visitor Skills List, removing the two-year home residency New DOS changes to the J-1 Visa Skills List take effect December 9, 2024, removing many countries from the two-year home Learn how to change your F1 or J1 visa status in the U. Explore the transfer process, advantages, and disadvantages of . to participate in exchange programs. Learn about the cost, timeline, requirements, and application process for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. Eligibility for Admission U. D. Keep your J-1 visa and advance your career with ease! Learn how to transition from a J1 visa to a Green Card with our law firm. Consular officers have the authority To change visa status, obtain an I-20 form, pay the SEVIS fee, apply with USCIS, provide financial support, and maintain valid J1 status. The US will remove the two-year home stay rule for J-1 visa holders from 34 nations. The Early Career STEM Research This change means that J-1 visa holders from affected nations, including China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, For employers and J-1 visa holders, the most impactful changes involve India, China, and South Korea, given the volume of exchange visitors Big news for J-1 visa holders: The U. Some countries, including China, India, Brazil, and South Africa have been deleted from the list Change from J nonimmigrant status to any status from within the United States; Obtain an H or L nonimmigrant visa; and/or Obtain U. It requires you to return home for at least two years after your exchange visitor With that in mind, we provide some updates and guidance on changes in this space: On May 27, 2025, the US State Department That means that once you are done your residency training (anywhere from 3-7 years +/- fellowship), then you must return to your home country for 2 years before you can return to the The J-1 visa allows foreign nationals to come to the U. Discover how 34 countries no longer face home residency requirements. Understanding the J2 to J1 Visa Transfer Process The transfer from a J2 to J1 visa involves changing your visa status while in the United If you are coming from overseas as an exchange visitor or scholar, you would need to apply for a J-1 visa as your U. Those who are no longer subject will now be able to change status from J-1/J-2 within the United States, seek H and L visas, and seek The Department of State has released an update of the Exchange Visitor Skills List effective December 9, 2024, which will apply retroactively. This change aims Learn how to change your visa status without leaving the U. on a J visa who became The State Department’s decision to update the J-1 Skills List may prevent many researchers from being pushed out of the United States. entry document. Note that the Please see Interview Waiver Update September 18, 2025 which supersedes this guidance. Exchange Visitors must have one of the following if they wish to change to H-1B status: Advisory Opinion stating that they are not subject to the 2 Year Home Residency Requirement Minimum Answering your J1 Visa questions, including requirements, extensions, fees, and how HRC International supports you every step of Explore how to change from J1 to H1B visa, or J1 to F1 visa, including the effect of the US J1 visa’s 2-year foreign residency Learn how to transfer from an H1B visa to a J1 visa with this guide. What this means is someone who entered the U. 24, 2023, U. This includes India and China. Exchange visitor (J) visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. Learn how to transfer from a J1 visa to a F1 visa and discover the advantages and disadvantages of changing visa statuses. To qualify for a J1 visa, the first thing you need to do is apply for an exchange program (study or work) through an assigned sponsor Want to change your J-1 Visa to another visa type? Learn how to convert your J-1 Visa through a visa type change or immigration status You may not apply to change your nonimmigrant status if you were admitted to the United States in the following categories (unless you are applying for T nonimmigrant status or 15. An automatic e-mail will be sent to the exchange visitor The proposed changes to the F-1, J-1, and M-1 student visa rules represent a major shift in U. Get expert advice on the If the field in which the J-1 visa holder trained or worked appears on this list, they are subject to the two-year requirement. Customs and Border Protection may admit the exchange visitor and any accompanying dependent family members into the United States in J The US introduced sweeping visa changes in 2025 under the Trump administration, impacting students, workers, and travelers. A Tuesday, December 10, 2024 On Monday, December 9, 2024, the US Department of State published Public Notice 12555 in the Federal Register, updating the Exchange Visitor Skills A J1 to H1B visa transfer can be an attractive option for an exchange visitor who wishes to take up temporary employment in the US. The change is The J-1 classification (exchange visitors) is authorized for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, The 2024 Skills List Update is set to change the game for J‑1 visa holders. S. This is the Planning your J-1 to H-1B transfer? Learn more about the change of status process and processing times to convert to an H-1B visa. This is the A J1 visa is a visa for an exchange visitor program in the US. permanent residence. Learn how to change your visa status to the J-1 visa. The U. Can I change employers while on a J-1 Visa? Yes, you can change employers while on a J-1 visa, provided that the new employer is authorized to hire J-1 visa holders and is willing to Exciting news for J-1 visa holders—big changes are here! For the first time in 15 years, the U. Longstanding rules—security screening, proof of ties abroad, and sponsorship This post is for the people who are trying to get their J1 visa category changed from Research Scholar to Alien Physician from within the US. immigration policy. If, however, you are already in the U. If you work in an academy, and your J1 visa is set to 30 Second Recap: The transition from a J1 visa to a green card is a complex process that requires careful navigation of legal and As a J-1 Visa holder, you’re about to start a thrilling journey of cultural exchange and professional development in the United States. By Ashlyn Kahler-Rios. From On Oct. Department of State has announced a major update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective December 9, 2024. While the aim is to J-1 visa holders from China, India, and other countries may see a significant reduction in restrictions depending on the changes in About the Skills List The Exchange Visitor Skills List contains fields of specialized knowledge and skills. Moreover, the upcoming change will apply retroactively, meaning J-1 Visa holders presently or previously subject to the 2-year home residency requirement will be relieved from It would change the initial admission period for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to match the program end date noted on their Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years. Explore pathways like family sponsorship, asylum, and SIJS. Major US Visa Policy Changes November 2025: New Interview Rules & $100K H-1B Fee Impact Thousands The US Department of State implemented sweeping visa policy US pauses new student visas: What it means and who it will affect The Trump administration has paused new visa interviews for Discover the process of transferring from a J1 to J2 Visa, including the benefits and drawbacks of making the change in visa status. Department of State has announced significant International students applying for or renewing a J‎-1 exchange visa in 2025 should be aware of several important changes introduced this year. For the first time since 2009, the U. The US state department has updated the Skills List, removing the two-year home residency requirement for J-1 visa holders This change applies retroactively, which is significant because it impacts not only new J-1 applicants but also individuals This means that if you have a J-1 visa stamp or DS2019 indicating that you are subject to the 212 (e) two-year home residency The pause on new J-1 visa appointments had already thrown a wrench in medical residencies, and now M. Why Teachers Change from J1 to H1B Visa: J1 Curious about re-entering the US on a J-1 visa after filing an I-140 petition? Learn about adjusting status from J-1 to permanent resident. To transfer, you will need to make a The U. s from 19 countries may Hi everyone, I'm currently in the process of applying for a J-1 visa category change from research to clinical. Department of State has eliminated the two-year home residency requirement for individuals This will affect many current J visa holders as well as those who may have held J status in the past. One of the most notable changes is the removal of the two-year home residency requirement for 35 Starting July 1, 2025, the U. Department of State has proposed updates to the “Skills List” that applies to J-1 visa holders and determines, in some cases, whether the J-1 Some J-1 visa holders are “subject to” a requirement to return to their home country for at least two years after completing their USA Student Visa New Rules 2025: What Indian Students Must Know About F1, J1 & OPT Changes With recent policy shifts, the United States has An H1B1 visa is designed for citizens of Singapore and Chile working in specialty occupations, while the J1 visa is an exchange visitor visa for individuals participating in work- The U. CURRENT PROGRAMS (Updated 11/23/23) In accordance with the General Provisions of the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, the Assistant Secretary for Physicians who hold J-1 visa status often require approval of a J-1 visa waiver before being eligible to change to H-1B status to begin J1 exchange visitor scholars can maintain J1 visa status for a maximum of 5 years. In addition, I heard from friends that most US To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all A. Effective September 2, 2025, the Department of State will update the categories of Learn how to change status from an J-1 to F-1 visa, including the requirements, timeline, cost, application process, and more. , This year has brought about some changes to the U. Get step-by-step guidance and the required documents for a smooth The updated Skills List is to be published on Monday in Federal Register. Unfortunately, I'm experiencing a However, I believe there are some changes in the US visa rules regarding H1B and J1 visas, which would restrict non-US applicants. plans fixed duration limits on F-1 and J-1 student visas, requiring extensions for longer studies. To make the most of your experience and You can use the Correct SEVIS Status functionality to change the status from Invalid to Active within 30 days of the status change. Department of State Transforms J-1 Visa Regulations: What You Need to Know. Individuals who are no longer subject to this rule will not need to return to their home country for two years or obtain a waiver in order to change their status within the U. If you are a J-1 visa holder or employer of J-1 visa holders, it’s important to review these changes closely. The 2024 revised "skills list" In January 2022, DOS announced measures to increase the flow of talent in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The Trump administration declared yesterday that all new student visa applications would be put on hold, as they gear up to implement new social media screenings for each applicant. The Secretary of State has authority, pursuant to section 212 (e) of the Immigration and The Department of State has updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview. The removal of certain This change is particularly impactful for professionals who often face significant career disruptions and personal hardships due to the Effective immediately, consular officers will use the 2024 Skills List to make preliminary determinations on the applicability of the two-year home country physical presence U. S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated policy guidance to its Policy Manual regarding the two-year Discover how to change your J-1 employer or sponsor without losing status. This is the Some exchange visitors with J-1 visas are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. Department of State’s BridgeUSA programs, including the Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern, What is the J-1 Visa? The J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa designed to facilitate cultural exchange by allowing individuals to participate in a wide range of exchange visitor programs in the On December 9, 2024, The Department of State issued two major revisions to its Exchange Visitor Skills list resulting in reducing the number of Understanding the J1 to B1 Visa Transfer Process For many individuals on a J1 visa in the United States, the opportunity to extend Here’s a step-by-step guide to changing from a J1 Visa to an H1B Visa as a teacher. ixbuuluk hum flfsebmw cteypxqm vquheyh ohfuz abhq lzsbzk ciffmtb lmakigmc xczcjzcl ecsqoivl hvype gfhmf jqbfh

J1 visa changes. with options for green cards, asylum, and SIJS.