2-Year Home Residency Requirement [212(e)]

The two-year home residency requirement [also referred to as 212(e)] means that those who enter the U.S. in J-1 status must return to their country of nationality (or country of last permanent residence) for 24 months in order to be eligible for any potential immigrant visa.

Exchange visitors can be subject to 212(e) based on:

• Exchange Visitors skills list: http://bit.ly/EVskill-list
• Funding source (such as government funding)

ISSS does not determine if you are subject to 212(e).

Waiver Request for 212(e)

• If subject to the home residency requirement, it is possible to request a waiver. For more information, see this link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange/waiver-of-the-exchange-visitor.html

12-Month & 24-Month Bars

The 12 and 24 month bars are different from the two-year home country residence requirement. Exchange visitors may not be subject to the 12 or 24 month bar but may be subject to the home country residence requirement, or vice versa.

Contact ISSS if you have questions regarding this.