Is there a 2 year requirement for the following J1 Visas?

[sdchargers 0]

Hi everyone,

My wife has had 2 J1 visas. On both visas, the visa itself and DS2019 indicated that she was not subject to the 2 year requirement but apparently there are errors from time to time.

Here is the info for both visas.

1st J1 visa: Sponsor: XXXX university

Funding: 20K from sponsor university 20K applicant's personal funds

Program number P 1 03469

This was an exchange program. She didn't get any grants, scholarship ... The 20K is basically the price of tuition for the university but since it's an exchange program, my wife only had to pay the tuition and fees from her college in France. We didn't go through an institution for the exchange, this was just a mutual exchange agreement between both colleges.

2nd J1 Visa: Sponsor: Interexchange ( this was for a paid internship)

Funding: 30K from employer ( private company) 10K: applicant's personal funds

Program number P 4 11837

This was a paid internship. Once again no grants ... Compensation was from the company she did her internship at.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[amykathleen2005 441]

I would think not, but I certainly am not an expert on this matter.

[Armenia 18]

Hi everyone,

My wife has had 2 J1 visas. On both visas, the visa itself and DS2019 indicated that she was not subject to the 2 year requirement but apparently there are errors from time to time.

Here is the info for both visas.

1st J1 visa: Sponsor: XXXX university

Funding: 20K from sponsor university 20K applicant's personal funds

Program number P 1 03469

This was an exchange program. She didn't get any grants, scholarship ... The 20K is basically the price of tuition for the university but since it's an exchange program, my wife only had to pay the tuition and fees from her college in France. We didn't go through an institution for the exchange, this was just a mutual exchange agreement between both colleges.

2nd J1 Visa: Sponsor: Interexchange ( this was for a paid internship)

Funding: 30K from employer ( private company) 10K: applicant's personal funds

Program number P 4 11837

This was a paid internship. Once again no grants ... Compensation was from the company she did her internship at.

Thanks a lot for your help.

If her J1 visas and DS2019 both say that she is not subject to the 2-year rule then she is not subject to the 2-year rule.

However, as you said, there are "errors from time to time." To determine if your wife is subject to the 2-year rule:

1. take the J1 visa waiver survey - https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov/accessController.asp?page=37&handler=true'>https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov/accessController.asp?page=37&handler=true

2. request an advisory opinion from the US DoS Waiver Review Division - http://travel.state.gov/pdf/1288%20-%20J%20Waiver%20FAQ-Nov-10.pdf

Option 2 takes longer as everything (documents) have to submitted by snail mail. It will take 1-3 months before you receive their "advisory opinion" by snail mail too.

https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov/