Two Year Foreign Residence requirement for J1 visas

Hello,

I am a Canadian citizen, planning to go to the U.S. on a J1 visa. I know that there is a Two Year Foreign Residence requirement for J1 visas (meaning that those on a J1 visa need to go back to their countries after their visa expires, and they cannot apply for a long-term visa for the following 2 years). I also know that this does not necessarily apply to everybody. Does anybody know if this applies to Canadian citizens as well?

Thanks,
--Shahab

If that's what the small print on your visa says, then yes, it applies to you too.

Not all J visas are subject to it, depends on what the nature of your J visa is, if they told you are subject to it then yes you are, check with the consulate.

Thanks for the replies. Here are some more details about my case: I am going to Harvard for a post-doctoral fellowship. Harvard is offering me a J1 visa. I haven't applied for that yet, because I want to make sure that it's the best option before I apply. The Adviser for International Scholars at Harvard says that I won't be subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement because I am a Canadian citizen. I just want to make sure this is the case.

Thanks,
--Shahab

Well hang on a second, Canadian citizens don't even require a visa for J, IIRC, you apply at the border, so it's impossible to impose that requirement on you because there is no visa in the first place.

And does this even apply:

This requirement applies to an exchange visitor whose
1. J-1 program is to any extent financed by the U.S. government or of another country;
2. Who is performing a skill which is in short supply in his/her home country;
3. The J-1 program consist of Graduate Medical education or training.

Ooh, look, they've even got a tool for it: https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov/

Steve, thanks again for your reply.

Best,
--Shahab