J-1 Duration of Stay in the U.S.

The Professor and Research Scholar are authorized to engage in the program for the length of time necessary for completion of the project up to an aggregate of five years stay in the U.S. The five-year calendar period is based on a “use or lose” basis. For example, any amount of time that a participant returns home will have that time counted towards the total five year calendar period. This includes time away for vacation visits. Individuals who have entered the U.S., or acquire such status while in the U.S., will not be eligible for repeat participation in these categories for a period of two years following the completion of the five-year period. Participants who complete a program, which is less than five years, will have the option to transfer to another institute and have the current program extended up to the maximum duration of five years, or return home and fulfill the two-year bar.

The Specialist may participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for the length of time necessary to complete the program, but cannot exceed one year.

The Short-Term Scholar program is limited to the time needed to complete the objective, up to four months, but no longer than a maximum of six months. Short-term scholars ending their program participation within 5 months and 29 days will NOT be subject to the two-year re-entry bar. The minimum program duration of three weeks for any Exchange Visitor Program category is waived for participants in this category. Extensions of stay are not permitted.