J1 - F1: some queries

[Sreekanth 0]

I was in the US for two months last year on J1, and two-year home country residence rule is applicable now. Even though I worked as a research assistant on statistics, I am guessing that the rule applies as the college was a medical school. Now after a year, I will be pursuing my PhD in Engineering on F1 this fall. In future, if I want to change to an immigration status or find work there, will I have a problem? I don't think I can add one more year to stay at home (at the most, I can make 5 years x 1 month/year, that is 5 months). Can I apply for a waiver during my stay there in F1 or is the paper work only possible from home country?

And also, I have an SSN with work authorization from DHS during J1 stay. What is the authorization type provided for a typical F1 student? Should I have to change the authorization status to that required for F1 or shall I leave it as it is and notify SSN when I change status after my PhD study?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes you will have a problem. You can try for a waiver. It's success is largely dependent on the agency doing the funding and the country's policies.