From J1 to another J1?

[bluelikethat]

Hi all,

I have recently received an offer for a traineeship with a magazine in the US and I'm currently waiting for my J1 visa to be processed so that I can begin my six-month position (Jan- mid-July).

However, I am also applying to do a PhD at an American institution, which would (if I was accepted) begin at the end of August. In order to return to the US I would, I believe, need to apply for a new J-1 visa through the university. My concern is that I will not have enough time for this to be processed in order to begin my PhD in time. Does anyone have any experience with this or any advice to give? I presume I will have to return to the UK (my home country) in order to obtain a new J1 visa.

All of this, of course, depends on whether I am given a 2 year home residency requirement.... I am praying that this will not be the case...

Anna

 

[jk0274]

First of all, who is paying for the traineeship? Is it the magazine itself? Or is it a governmental exchange program of some sort? If it's the magazine, you should not be subject to the requirement.

As for the transfer: I believe you should talk to the university people first and tell them that you will already be in the US on a J-1. Make sure that the University will be offering you another J-1 and not an F-1 (which is a student visa and in some ways less problematic than a J-1 unless you are married). If it's a J-1, then the university should be able to help transfer your sponsorship from the magazine to the university. If you can get them to do this, you might not have to leave the US (but make sure both offices at the magazine and university are aware of your status). However, if the university issues to you a new sponsorship form, you should be able to go to the consulate in the UK and get a new visa issued.

One more thing: Although I do NOT think this would apply to you, please be aware of the one year rule:
The One Year Rule: To prevent J-1 scholars from coming to the United States repeatedly for three year periods with no substantial time outside the United States, the State Department has imposed a rule requiring a minimum of one year between J-1 programs. The rule is imposed if you were in the United States for greater than six months as a J-1 Researcher or Professor. The rule does not apply to J-1's transferring to a different sponsor (within the original three-year maximum), or to J-1's who were in the U.S. as Short-Term Scholars. J-1's who are transferring should be very careful to accomplish the transfer procedure.