J-1 and J-2 participants who have completed an exchange in J status in any category cannot return to the U.S. as a J-1 Research Scholar or J-1 Professor for 12 months. This bar does not apply to short-term scholars.

Previous J Status Length of Time in J Status Can Return as a Professor or Research Scholar Change of Status to Different Visa Type
Previous J StatusPrevious J StatusJ-1 Student Length of Time in J StatusLength of Time in J StatusLess than 6 months Can Return as a Professor or Research ScholarCan Return as a Professor or Research ScholarNo Bars Change of Status to Different Visa TypeChange of Status to Different Visa TypeCOS to H1B, L1, K, and PR not allowed if subject to 212e two-year home residency rule
Previous J StatusPrevious J StatusJ-1 Student Length of Time in J StatusLength of Time in J StatusMore than 6 months Can Return as a Professor or Research ScholarCan Return as a Professor or Research ScholarAfter fulfillment of 12-month bar effective from program end/completion date Change of Status to Different Visa TypeChange of Status to Different Visa TypeCOS to H1B, L1, K, and PR not allowed if subject to 212e two-year home residency rule
Previous J StatusPrevious J StatusJ-1 Short Term Scholar (Visiting Scholar) Length of Time in J StatusLength of Time in J StatusLess than 6 months Can Return as a Professor or Research ScholarCan Return as a Professor or Research ScholarNo Bars Change of Status to Different Visa TypeChange of Status to Different Visa TypeCOS to H1B, L1, K, and PR not allowed if subject to 212e two-year home residency rule
Previous J StatusPrevious J StatusJ-1 Research Scholar/Professor Length of Time in J StatusLength of Time in J StatusAnytime (1 month, 1 year, etc.) Can Return as a Professor or Research ScholarCan Return as a Professor or Research ScholarAfter fulfillment of 24-month bar effective from program end/completion date Change of Status to Different Visa TypeChange of Status to Different Visa TypeCOS to H1B, L1, K, and PR not allowed if subject to 212e two-year home residency rule

Note: J-2 Dependents are subject to the same 12 or 24-month bar as the primary J-1.