The  J-1 program may NOT be used for clinical appointments to the School of Medicine, the School of Dentistry, the School of Podiatric Medicine, for TUHS hospitals, or for foreign medical graduates ((FMGs) who will be involved in clinical activities or for those receiving medical training.  This includes individuals who practice in various Health Professions, including Public Health, Dentistry, Psychology/Psychiatry, Occupational Health, etc. The only exchange program authorized to sponsor these individuals as J-1 exchange visitors for internships, residencies, specialized clinical training, and in other positions involving more than incidental patient contact is the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

The maximum period of participation for J Professors and Research Scholars is a five-year period, which starts from the program begin date on the DS-2019.

• There is a 24-month bar on "repeat participation" in the J Professor or Research Scholar categories. This means that any scholar who enters the US for any length of time (even one day) in the Professor or Research Scholar categories is prohibited from returning to the US in the J Professor or Research Scholar categories for a period of 24 months. This bar also applies to J-2 dependents.
• When a scholar either concludes or leaves a Research Scholar or Professor J-1 program, whichever happens earlier, the scholar's record becomes inactive in SEVIS. At that point, the 24-month bar time starts to accrue. The 24-month bar will be in effect regardless of whether status in the program is a few months in duration or the full five years allowed.
• The five-year period is a "continuous" period given to a participant on a "use or lose" basis.

• The 24-month bar does not prevent individuals from returning to the U.S. in any other visa status.

Example #1:

A Research Scholar or Professor comes to Temple University for two years, and returns home for two months. Her SEVIS record is maintained during her absence. After two months, s/he then returns to Temple University. In this case, s/he will have two years and ten months left in her J program. In other words, the two months outside of the U.S. counts toward the total five-year period. Read more here.

Example #2:

A Research Scholar or Professor comes to TU for two years and returns home without remaining active on the current J program. While at home, the scholar and the TU department decide there is more work to be done and the department asks the J-1 to return to TU as a Research Scholar or Professor. In this case, the scholar is subject to the 24 month bar because the SEVIS record did not remain active. Therefore, the J-1 is prohibited from returning to the U.S. in the Research Scholar or Professor categories for two years following the completion date of the J program. For this scholar, other visa types or J categories may be an option. The scholar may not return as a Short Term Scholar as that could be construed as an attempt to circumvent the twenty-four month bar.

Example #3:

A Research Scholar or Professor comes to TU for a one year appointment but for personal reasons, decides to end the program early after one week. This individual would need to wait 24 months before being able to return to the US on a J-1 Visa. 

• Some J-1 exchange visitors are subject to the U.S. Department of State Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement INA 212(e) that requires them to return to their home country for two years at the end of their J-1 program.

• The Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement will not prevent you from reentering the U.S. with an F-1 student, B-1/B-2 (tourist) or J-1 student visa (or some other categories) in the future, but it will prevent you from getting H-1B non-immigrant employment or Permanent Residence status unless the 2 year requirement is either fulfilled or waived.

• Please read more about this here.

• The new 24-month bar should not be confused with the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (212e). These are two completely different regulations.
• An individual can be subject to the 24 month bar but not subject to the two year home residency requirement.
• The two year rule (212e) may apply to visitors in any J category. The 24-month bar only applies to J visa holders who enter the U.S. on the Research Scholar or Professor categories or as a J-2 dependent of a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar.

Scholars who wish to return to the US without waiting 24 months, may do so on other visa types or in other J categories (i.e. : Short Term Scholar, J Student Intern) based on their eligibility.