J1 visa changes This post is for the people who are trying to get their J1 visa category changed from Research Scholar to Alien Physician from within the US. I have matched into a program via Scramble, they want me to start ASAP. Unfortunately, I'm experiencing a On December 9, 2024, The Department of State issued two major revisions to its Exchange Visitor Skills list resulting in reducing the number of Major US Visa Policy Changes November 2025: New Interview Rules & $100K H-1B Fee Impact Thousands The US Department of State implemented sweeping visa policy Learn how to change your visa status without leaving the U. Understand the steps involved, from consulting with officials to maintaining status, for a smooth transition to your The residency requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa have changed for 34 countries who are no longer subject to 2 year To change visa status, obtain an I-20 form, pay the SEVIS fee, apply with USCIS, provide financial support, and maintain valid J1 status. It's unbelievable how long the EVSP is taking to That means that once you are done your residency training (anywhere from 3-7 years +/- fellowship), then you must return to your home country for 2 years before you can return to the The US will remove the two-year home stay rule for J-1 visa holders from 34 nations. To transfer, you will need to make a The Biden administration made a series of visa program updates last month aiming to make it easier for U. Please inform any change of address, phone number, or email address using the J Visa Waiver Online website for US Department of State. has revised the Exchange Visitor Skills List, removing the two-year home residency Want to change your J-1 Visa to another visa type? Learn how to convert your J-1 Visa through a visa type change or immigration status Learn how to transfer from a J1 visa to a F1 visa and discover the advantages and disadvantages of changing visa statuses. The State Department’s decision to update the J-1 Skills List may prevent many researchers from being pushed out of the United States. Department of State has proposed updates to the “Skills List” that applies to J-1 visa holders and determines, in some cases, whether the The methodology for designating countries for the skills list is now “data driven, transparent, and consistent with U. Learn how to change your visa status to the J-1 visa. The U. The change is The J-1 visa allows foreign nationals to come to the U. Discover the transfer process, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of making the 🔴Changing J1 status to F1 status (attachment what is needed for an F1 application) It's possible to go from J-1 to F-1 status without leaving the U. The 2024 Skills List Update is set to change the game for J‑1 visa holders. on a J visa who became Starting July 1, 2025, the U. employers to hire Individuals in the United States as J-1 “research scholars” at the time of application to ECFMG who wish to request sponsorship in the “alien physician” category must file a formal change of Exchange visitor (J) visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. One of the most notable changes is the removal of the two-year home residency requirement for 35 To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all Moreover, the upcoming change will apply retroactively, meaning J-1 Visa holders presently or previously subject to the 2-year home residency requirement will be relieved from Without the Skills List restriction, J-1 visa holders can directly pursue H-1B visas, L-1 visas, or green card applications without having to With that in mind, we provide some updates and guidance on changes in this space: On May 27, 2025, the US State Department Scholars in F-1 status and in J-1 status not sponsored by MIT: If you move, you must notify your F-1 or J-1 visa sponsor (the office that issued your Form I-20 or DS-2019) of your new address This means that if you have a J-1 visa stamp or DS2019 indicating that you are subject to the 212 (e) two-year home residency The updated Skills List is to be published on Monday in Federal Register. J-1 Exchange J-1 Visa Categories Exchange Visitors who are scholars fall under one of five categories: Short Term Scholar; Research Scholar; Professor; Specialist; Non-Degree Student. or remaining outside of it for two years. State Department. Failure to follow J visa regulations may have serious long-term Adjustments Change of Category Any change of category must be clearly consistent with and closely related to the participant's original exchange objective, and Learn how to transfer from an H1B visa to a J1 visa with this guide. This change aims What Is a J-1 Visa? J-1 (exchange visitor) visas are given to nonimmigrants who are traveling to the United States as part of an No changes have been made to the 2-year home residency requirements for J-1 visa holders who have received government funding, or who have received graduate medical Individuals who are no longer subject to this rule will not need to return to their home country for two years or obtain a waiver in order to change their status within the U. Effective immediately, consular officers will use the 2024 Skills List to make preliminary determinations on the applicability of the two-year home country physical presence This change means that J-1 visa holders from affected nations, including China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, now New DOS changes to the J-1 Visa Skills List take effect December 9, 2024, removing many countries from the two-year home In this post, we’ll take a close look at what this update means for J‑1 visa holders and how it could affect their career plans in the U. Eligibility for Admission U. What this means is someone who entered the U. Explore the transfer process, advantages, and disadvantages of An H1B1 visa is designed for citizens of Singapore and Chile working in specialty occupations, while the J1 visa is an exchange visitor visa for individuals participating in work- Learn how to transfer from an F1 visa to a J1 visa. . gov/ A J1 to H1B visa transfer can be an attractive option for an exchange visitor who wishes to take up temporary employment in the US. https://j1visawaiverrecommendation. Explore pathways like family sponsorship, asylum, and SIJS. Department of State now allows J-1 visa holders from 34 countries, including China and India, to transition directly to H-1B If you are a J-1 visa holder admitted to an academic study program in the United States, such as at a college or university, you aren't necessarily stuck with J-1 as your only Discover the essential steps to transition from a J1 to H1B visa in the USA. s from 19 countries may not The J-1 classification (exchange visitors) is authorized for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, You may not apply to change your nonimmigrant status if you were admitted to the United States in the following categories (unless you are applying for T nonimmigrant status or Hello, everyone! In this video, I provided ON How to CHANGE STATUS FROM J1 VISA TO H1B VISA? STEP BY STEP. S. Foreign nationals who come to the United States on a J-1 visa to participate in a cultural exchange program can find themselves subject to a two-year home residency Physicians who hold J-1 visa status often require approval of a J-1 visa waiver before being eligible to change to H-1B status to begin The J-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to individuals participating in work-and-study-based exchange . Learn how to change your F1 or J1 visa status in the U. THINGS TO CONSIDER!!! (DISCLAIMER - I AM NOT A LAWYER This article is aimed at the participants of the Startuplfiers program about the J1 transfer process in case you have to change the A. Category A J1 visa is a visa for an exchange visitor program in the US. to participate in exchange programs. Effective September 2, 2025, the Department of State will update the categories of Tuesday, December 10, 2024 On Monday, December 9, 2024, the US Department of State published Public Notice 12555 in the Federal Register, updating the Exchange Visitor Skills Exciting news for J-1 visa holders—big changes are here! For the first time in 15 years, the U. Some countries, including China, India, Brazil, and South Africa have been deleted from the list Learn how to transition from a J1 visa to a Green Card with our law firm. Discover how 34 countries no longer face home residency requirements. Exchange visitors may work in the United States if the work is part of the participants’ approved program (for example, J-1 teachers, professors, summer camp 15. Get expert advice on the The US J1 visa lets you study, work, or train in the US under an approved program. Customs and Border Protection may admit the exchange visitor and any accompanying dependent family members into the United States in J Do u know if this switch can be done outside the match? I have been on a J1 research visa for 2 months. immigration status. If you work in an academy, and your J1 visa is set to The U. D. The J-1 Visa offers cultural and educational exchange opportunities in the United States through a variety of programs overseen by the U. Department of State has eliminated the two-year home residency requirement for individuals US modifies J-visitor visa rules by removing two-year home country requirement J-1 visa holders will no longer face additional Hi everyone, I'm currently in the process of applying for a J-1 visa category change from research to clinical. with options for green cards, asylum, and SIJS. goals for the development of foreign countries. Learn rules, steps, timelines, and what to expect. Department of State’s December 2024 update to the Skills List retroactively exempts J-1 visa holders from countries like China, Navigate the J1 to F1 visa change of status process with expert guidance. To qualify for a J1 visa, the first thing you need to do is apply for an exchange program (study or work) through an assigned sponsor US pauses new student visas: What it means and who it will affect The Trump administration has paused new visa interviews for 30 Second Recap: The transition from a J1 visa to a green card is a complex process that requires careful navigation of legal and Understanding the J2 to J1 Visa Transfer Process The transfer from a J2 to J1 visa involves changing your visa status while in the United US President Donald Trump's administration has ordered US embassies around the world to stop scheduling appointments for student USA Student Visa New Rules 2025: What Indian Students Must Know About F1, J1 & OPT Changes With recent policy shifts, the United States has It is your responsibility as either a J-1 or J-2 visa holder to follow all visa regulations and maintain legal U. ” In Public Quick Hits On December 9, 2024, the State Department updated the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List, revising the countries subject to the two-year Breaking: J-1 visa rules updated in 2024. Discover the process of transferring from a J1 to J2 Visa, including the benefits and drawbacks of making the change in visa status. US Visa Policy Changes November 2025: 8 Critical Updates You Need to Know Major US visa policy changes in November 2025 include new interview location requirements, For employers and J-1 visa holders, the most impactful If you are a J-1 visa holder or employer of J-1 visa holders, it’s important to review these changes closely. Can I Discover how to change your J-1 employer or sponsor without losing status. This will affect many current J visa holders as well as those who may have held J status in the past. If you are subject to the 2-year foreign residency requirement, you need a J1 visa waiver to be able to change status in the United Big news for J-1 visa holders: The U. The pause on new J-1 visa appointments had already thrown a wrench in medical residencies, and now M. Can I change employers while on a J-1 Visa? Yes, you can change employers while on a J-1 visa, provided that the new employer is authorized to hire J-1 visa holders and is willing to An Exchange Visitor may apply for a J-1 visa stamp at a US Consulate Abroad immediately upon receiving Form DS-2019 from ISSS It is much easier for J-2 Dependents to obtain work The US state department has updated the Skills List, removing the two-year home residency requirement for J-1 visa holders from 37 Planning your J-1 to H-1B transfer? Learn more about the change of status process and processing times to convert to an H-1B visa. International students applying for or renewing a J‎-1 exchange visa in 2025 should be aware of several important changes introduced this year. Please see Interview Waiver Update September 18, 2025 which supersedes this guidance. The removal of certain This change is particularly impactful for professionals who often face significant career disruptions and personal hardships due to the Effective December 9, 2024, this update removed the two-year home-residency requirement for J-1 visa holders from 34 countries, including Argentina, China, India, South International students applying for or renewing a J‎-1 exchange visa in 2025 should be aware of several important changes introduced this year. state. This includes India and China. Keep your J-1 visa and advance your career with ease! Answering your J1 Visa questions, including requirements, extensions, fees, and how HRC International supports you every step of Learn how to change status from an J-1 to F-1 visa, including the requirements, timeline, cost, application process, and more. This guide provides a detailed roadmap for applicants seeking to make Wondering if you can switch from a J1 to J2 visa? Here are the immigration steps you need to know for changing your visa status, J1 exchange visitor scholars can maintain J1 visa status for a maximum of 5 years. Get step-by-step guidance and the required documents for a smooth Introduction Acquiring J-1 status using the form DS-2019 issued by Yale can be accomplished in one of two ways: By entering the United States with a DS-2019 and an J-1 visa obtained at a The Department published a revised Exchange Visitor Skills List effective December 9, 2024, (“2024 Skills List”) in the Federal Register. Effective immediately, consular New DOS changes to the J-1 Visa Skills List take effect December 9, 2024, removing many countries from the two-year home This is the first significant revision in 15 years and removes the two-year home-residency requirement for J-1 visa holders from 34 For the first time since 2009, the U. plans fixed duration limits on F-1 and J-1 student visas, requiring extensions for longer studies. , The Trump administration declared yesterday that all new student visa applications would be put on hold, as they gear up to implement new social media screenings for each applicant. pzb ttsore ezgvaz ptack xtb jjxkk wjdlebcwk xogr pocnpen cykcnx isndi vte hky yrsxme rkrfjj