J-1 Visa 12-Month Bar: Who It Affects and the Exceptions

What Is the J-1 Visa 12-Month Bar?

A rule that bars you from becoming a J-1 professor or research scholar if you were in the US on a J visa during the 12 months before your program start.

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The Rule

You can only start as a professor or research scholar if you were not physically present in the US as a J nonimmigrant for all or part of the 12 months before the program start date on your DS-2019.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.20: Professors and research scholars

Exceptions

• Your earlier J stay lasted less than six months.
• Your earlier stay was as a J-1 Short-Term Scholar.
• You are joining the new sponsor's program through a transfer.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.20: Professors and research scholars

FAQs

Does a J-1 internship create a 12-month bar?

The bar matters when you want to become a professor or research scholar. Any earlier J stay in the 12 months before that program counts, including an internship, unless it lasted less than six months.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.20: Professors and research scholars

Does the 12-month bar apply to interns and trainees?

No. It is a condition of the professor and research scholar categories. Interns and trainees have their own rules, see Second Internship.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.20: Professors and research scholars · 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns

The Bottom Line

If you plan a research stay after another J program, count back 12 months from the start date: any J stay of six months or more in that window blocks the professor and research scholar categories.

Related Terms

• 
  J-1 Research ScholarA J-1 category for researchers who come to a US university, research institute, museum or library to do research, for up to five years.
  more
• 
  J-1 ProfessorA J-1 category for academics who come to teach or lecture at a US institution, for up to five years.
  more
• 
  24-Month BarAfter a program as a J-1 professor or research scholar, you cannot start another one in these categories for two years.
  more
• 
  J-1 Short-Term ScholarA J-1 category for short academic visits to lecture, observe, consult or take part in conferences and workshops, for up to six months.
  more
• 
  Second InternshipDoing another J-1 internship or traineeship after the first one. Possible, but only under clear conditions.
  more
• 
  Two-Year RuleSome J-1 participants must spend two years in their home country before getting an H or L visa or a green card.
  more

Sources

1. 22 CFR § 62.20: Professors and research scholars
2. 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns