The U.S. Department of State announced an update to the exchange visitor, J-1 visa program. As of December 9, 2024, J-1 visa holders from 34 countries, including India, China, South Korea, and the UAE, will no longer have to meet the two-year home residency requirement. This is the first major update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List in 15 years, aiming to keep top international talent in the U.S.

The Exchange Visitor Skills List identifies countries and areas of expertise considered important for the U.S. The two-year home residency rule used to require J-1 visa holders to return to their home country for two years after completing their program. Now, 34 countries are exempt from this rule, but 27 countries are still subject to it.

In some cases, a J-1 visa holder may still be required to return home if they received funding from their home country or the U.S. government, or if they participated in U.S. graduate medical training.

The list is updated regularly to remove countries that have made significant progress in areas like economic development, larger populations, and higher per capita GDP. J-1 visa holders from countries removed from the list can explore other U.S. immigration options, such as an H-1B visa or a green card, without needing a waiver.

If you have questions about the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa or any other U.S. immigration-related issue, please contact us. Our clients work directly with attorneys every step of the way to ensure they get expert advice for their particular situations. Book a consultation with us today.