2 Year Home Residency Requirement 212(e)

A J-1 exchange visitor may be subject to the Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement. If the J-1 visa holder is subject to this requirement, their J-2 dependents are also subject to it. This means that neither the J-1 nor the J-2 can change their immigration status to H, L, or Permanent Residency without first returning to their home country for two years or obtaining a waiver.  If you are subject,  the J-1 visa stamp or DS-2019 form will indicate that the bearer is subject to "212(e)."

Please refer to the Department of State website for those countries subject to 212(e).