What is the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List?

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List is a list maintained by the U.S. Department of State that identifies specialized skills and fields of knowledge that are in short supply in certain countries. This list plays a crucial role in the administration of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, which enables foreign nationals to participate in work- and study-based exchange visitor programs in the U.S.

The list’s most important impact on J-1 Exchange Visitors is the 2-year home-country presence requirement. If an exchange visitor’s field of expertise is listed on their country’s skills list, they may be subject to that 2-year home residency requirement. This means the exchange visitor must return to their home country and be physically present there for a cumulative period of 2 years before they are eligible to apply for certain U.S. visas or permanent residency. 

In some cases, J-1 visa holders subject to the 2-year home residency requirement may apply for a waiver. This can be accomplished through a “no objection statement” from their home country’s government, an offer of employment from a U.S. government agency, or proving that returning to their home country would cause an exceptional hardship to their U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or child.

The Exchange Visitors Skills List varies by country and is constantly changing. If you have questions about this list, whether you are subject to the 2-year home residency requirement, or about applying for a waiver, please don’t hesitate to contact me!