It is important to understand the difference between Research Scholar and Short Term Scholar. These are two of several "categories" of the J visa status. They are US Department of State terms and have nothing to do with Temple's job title of "Visiting Research Scholar".
If the Exchange Visitor (EV) enters the US with a DS-2019 in the Research Scholar category, s/he will be entitled to conduct research/teach for up to 5 years. However, once the EV's program ends our office must complete the EV's SEVIS record. This means that s/he would be unable to reenter the US as J Research Scholar or Professor for two years. The EV could, however, enter as a tourist, etc.
If ISSS issues a DS-2019 in the Short Term Scholar category, while the EV will only be allowed to stay in the US for 6 months, s/he will not have the 24 month bar on returning as a Research Scholar or Professor.
For example:
- EV's program as a Short Term Scholar ends March 31, 2011 (completion date)
- EV returns home within 30 days of completion date
- EV is offered an opportunity to return to the US as a Researcher in January 2012
- EV is eligible to enter US as a J-1 Research Scholar
If ISSS issues a DS-2019 in the Research Scholar or Professor category, the EV can potentially be here for 5 years. However, s/he will have the 24 month bar on returning as a Research Scholar or Professor.
For example:
- EV enters as a Research Scholar until March 31, 2011 (completion date)
- EV returns home within 30 days of completion date
- EV is offered an opportunity to return to the US as a Researcher in January 2012
- EV is unable to return as a Research Scholar/Professor until March 30, 2013
- Therefore, in order to accept this position, EV would need to enter in a different immigration status such as H-1B
PLEASE NOTE: If EV was subject to the Two Year Home Residency Requirement from time spent in US as in J-1 Status (separate from the 24 month bar) then EV could NOT enter as an H-1B worker until s/he received a WAIVER of the Two Year Home Residency Requirement