Does a Leave of Absence Count Toward the J1 2-Year Home Country Residency Requirement
My current DS-2019 expires next year, and I really need to take an absence of leave after it expires, a year or two. I don't think I will be able to finish all the work required to complete my degree within this one year, but I am planning to do as much as possible before my absence of leave in my home country, so that i have something to work on during that time. I'm planning to get back into US to graduate and then do APT or OPT afterwards in either new J1 or F1 status. Would such an absence of leave count towards the fulfillment of 2-year home residency requirement? Would getting back in the US in a new status be feasible at all? Thank you.
Re: Does a Leave of Absence Count Toward the J1 2-Year Home Country Residency Require
Time out of the country during your J1 program is not going to count. The HRR starts after you complete the J1 program.
With an appropriate visa, you can enter the U.S. as a non-immigrant during the two year period.
Re: Does a Leave of Absence Count Toward the J1 2-Year Home Country Residency Require
Specifically visas in the H, L, or K series either.
As Mr. K says, the HRR time doesn't start running until you return home AFTER your J1 program is completed. Waivers are sometimes available (but generally for those who it is not possible to return home).
Re: Does a Leave of Absence Count Toward the J1 2-Year Home Country Residency Require
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flyingron
Specifically visas in the H, L, or K series either.
As Mr. K says, the HRR time doesn't start running until you return home AFTER your J1 program is completed. Waivers are sometimes available (but generally for those who it is not possible to return home).
This is where i get confused all the time: J1 program and J1 status definitions... My initial J1 program (the Department of State sponsored Master's program) was a while ago. Instead of graduating back then i just transferred into a PhD program at the same University and as a PhD student i've been in renewed J1 status on the same grounds as any other graduate student, without the funding by Department of State. Absence of leave means i go out of status for whatever length of time i am absent... I would be able to get back in F1 status, right? So technically I would be done with my J1 program and status, once i am on absence of leave. Or am i still completely wrong here and i have to actually graduate to be able to start the HRR time? Thank you.
Re: Does a Leave of Absence Count Toward the J1 2-Year Home Country Residency Require
When your j1 is done, you can apply for F1. But in order for any of the other visas, you must do time IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY (not just out of the US) and AFTER the end of your J1 status.
Re: Does a Leave of Absence Count Toward the J1 2-Year Home Country Residency Require
Quote:
Quoting
flyingron
When your j1 is done, you can apply for F1. But in order for any of the other visas, you must do time IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY (not just out of the US) and AFTER the end of your J1 status.
Yes, this is exactly what i'm planning to do: leave of absence in my home country, was just wondering if that time will count toward fulfillment of HRR. If I leave instead of renewing my J1 status when current DS-2019 expires, i would go out of status, is that correct?
Re: Does a Leave of Absence Count Toward the J1 2-Year Home Country Residency Require
If you leave the US, go home, and reenter on the F1, then the time home counts toward the HRR. If you reenter on the same or a new J-1, then it doesn't.