• Under the terms of the two-year bar on repeat participation in the research scholar and professor categories, an individual who has participated in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as a research scholar or professor becomes subject to a two-year bar on repeat participation in these categories if the exchange visitor completes a full five years of program participation with one or more program sponsors or if the exchange visitor completes a particular exchange visitor program, and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record becomes Inactive before the full five-year period is over. In either case, the individual is not eligible to begin a new program as a J research scholar or professor for a period of two years. This rule applies to individuals in the J research scholar or professor categories whose programs ended on November 18, 2006 or thereafter. It also applies to their J-2 dependents.

• The purpose of the two-year bar on repeat participation in the research scholar and professor categories is to prevent research scholars and professors who have completed a program in J status from exiting the United States and immediately re-entering for a new J program in these two categories.

• Please contact Claudia Zitzmann, Associate Director, International Student and Scholar Services, at czitzmann@miami.edu or at (305) 284-2928 if you have any questions regarding the 24-month bar on repeat participation in the J-1 research scholar professor category.