J-1 is a temporary exchange visitor program for interns, trainees, au pairs, scholars, teachers, professors, medical graduates and summer programs who and which are allowed to remain in the US for the length of the program. Interns are allowed to remain in the U.S. for a maximum of twelve (12) months, while trainees have a maximum of eighteen (18) months. Depending on the program, some J-1 programs are paid positions.
A two year residency requirement is placed on the applicant by its home country depending on the position or if government funds were used to finance their education. Under INA Section 212(e), certain exchange visitors are subject to a two (2) year home-country physical presence requirement which requires J-1 visa holders to return to their home country for at least two years at the end of their exchange visitor program before applying for another nonimmigrant visa or applying for permanent residence. If J-1 visa holders are unable to return to their home country to fulfill the two (2) year requirement, they must obtain a waiver approved by the Department of Homeland Security prior to changing status in the United States or being issued a visa in certain categories for travel to the United States.