37 Countries Removed From J-1 Exchange Visitors Skills List- Effective December 9, 2024

The Department of State (DOS) has published a notice in the Federal Register to revise its J-1 Exchange Visitors Skills List, which determines whether J-1 visa holders are subject to the two-year home residency requirement under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Individuals subject to the home residence requirement are ineligible to apply for permanent residency or certain nonimmigrant visas until they return to their home country for 2 years.

Of note:

• J-1 visa holders who are admitted in J status, or who obtained J status, on or after December 9, 2024 are no longer subject to the two-year requirement if their country is not on the updated list.
• The update removes 37 countries, including China, India, South Korea, Romania, Argentina, Brazil, Algeria, and South Africa. The full list of countries still subject to the Skills List can be found here.
• The update only impacts the countries subject to the Skills List; the specific skills remain unchanged from the 2009 list.
• J-1 holders may still be subject the two-year rule if funded by a government or involved in U.S. graduate medical training.
• DOS now plans to review the skills list every 3 years; the last update was in 2009.

This change should provide greater flexibility for affected J-1 visa holders. For questions, consult immigration counsel.