Switching from J1 to F1 While Subject to the Two Year Home Residency Rule

[sapientissima]

Undergraduate in california from september 2008-2011
OPT and STEM OPT at same university till February 2014
Will be on J-1 visa doing research at university lab till June 30th 2014. ( 2 year home residency rule applies and not exempt)
Hope to start a PhD program at a US university in July/Aug 2014.

Will there be issues in the transition ?
Will I have to go back to home country to apply for F-1 ?
Do I need the residency waiver for applying to F-1 ?

[Mr. Knowitall]

We would have no way of telling you if you'll have problems getting a F1 visa. Odds are you won't, but we have no facts with which to assess whether you might be less fortunate than most.

You cannot adjust your status from within the U.S., as you remain subject to the two year HRR.

You don't need a waiver to get another non-immigrant visa, such as a F1.