raysaikat
05-07 09:27 AM
I am holding J-1 student visa (academic training) from 8/2007 and will be expired on 7/31/2010, sponsor by U of Colorado. I am working as a postdoc for a project funded by NIH until 2013 at VCU. My advisor want to change my visa category from J-1 student to J-1 scholar, sponsor by VCU, to continue the project.
According to an international advisor at VCU where I am applying J-1 scholar, I cannot change from J-1 student to J-1 scholar due to 12-month bar:
[Time spent in the United States in any J status (including J-2 status) during the 12-month period preceding the prospective professor or research scholar's program begin date may affect the alien's eligibility for participation as a Professor or Research Scholar.
22 C.F.R. � 62.20(d)(2) establishes what is referred to as the "12-month bar." The general proposition of the 12-month bar is that an alien is not eligible to begin an exchange program as a Professor or Research Scholar based on a DS-2019 issued "to begin a new program" if he or she was physically present in any J status (including J-2 status) for "all or part of" the "twelve month period immediately preceding the date of program commencement set forth on his or her Form DS-2019." ]
But according to an international advisor at University of Colorado (my current sponsor for J1 student) that the 12-month bar is not applicable for me due to exception:
[(A) J-1 transfers. The 12 month bar is not applicable to those who will begin a program by transferring to a new program sponsor under the transfer procedures of 22 C.F.R. � 62.42 ;
22 C.F.R. � 62.20(d)(2)(i) ]
Who is right? What should I do? :confused:
I appreciate any help !!!
Looks like the determining point is whether it is a "transfer" of a "new program". Since you are going from "student" to "post-doc", the safer interpretation is that it is a "new program". But you may try to argue that it a "transfer". Read the corresponding CFR's -- they are reasonably clear (google will give you the texts). For instance, this is what is "transfer":
TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
CHAPTER V--UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
PART 514--EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM--Table of Contents
Subpart C--Status of Exchange Visitors
Sec. 514.42 Transfer of program.
(a) Program sponsors may, pursuant to the provisions set forth in
this section, permit an exchange visitor to transfer from one designated
program to another designated program.
(b) The responsible officer of the program to which the exchange
visitor is transferring:
(1) Shall verify the exchange visitor's visa status and program
eligibility;
(2) Execute the Form IAP-66; and
(3) Secure the written release of the current sponsor.
(c) Upon return of the completed Form IAP-66, the responsible
officer of the program to which the exchange visitor has transferred
shall provide:
(1) The exchange visitor his or her copy of the Form IAP-66; and
(2) A notification copy of such form to the Agency.
According to an international advisor at VCU where I am applying J-1 scholar, I cannot change from J-1 student to J-1 scholar due to 12-month bar:
[Time spent in the United States in any J status (including J-2 status) during the 12-month period preceding the prospective professor or research scholar's program begin date may affect the alien's eligibility for participation as a Professor or Research Scholar.
22 C.F.R. � 62.20(d)(2) establishes what is referred to as the "12-month bar." The general proposition of the 12-month bar is that an alien is not eligible to begin an exchange program as a Professor or Research Scholar based on a DS-2019 issued "to begin a new program" if he or she was physically present in any J status (including J-2 status) for "all or part of" the "twelve month period immediately preceding the date of program commencement set forth on his or her Form DS-2019." ]
But according to an international advisor at University of Colorado (my current sponsor for J1 student) that the 12-month bar is not applicable for me due to exception:
[(A) J-1 transfers. The 12 month bar is not applicable to those who will begin a program by transferring to a new program sponsor under the transfer procedures of 22 C.F.R. � 62.42 ;
22 C.F.R. � 62.20(d)(2)(i) ]
Who is right? What should I do? :confused:
I appreciate any help !!!
Looks like the determining point is whether it is a "transfer" of a "new program". Since you are going from "student" to "post-doc", the safer interpretation is that it is a "new program". But you may try to argue that it a "transfer". Read the corresponding CFR's -- they are reasonably clear (google will give you the texts). For instance, this is what is "transfer":
TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
CHAPTER V--UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
PART 514--EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM--Table of Contents
Subpart C--Status of Exchange Visitors
Sec. 514.42 Transfer of program.
(a) Program sponsors may, pursuant to the provisions set forth in
this section, permit an exchange visitor to transfer from one designated
program to another designated program.
(b) The responsible officer of the program to which the exchange
visitor is transferring:
(1) Shall verify the exchange visitor's visa status and program
eligibility;
(2) Execute the Form IAP-66; and
(3) Secure the written release of the current sponsor.
(c) Upon return of the completed Form IAP-66, the responsible
officer of the program to which the exchange visitor has transferred
shall provide:
(1) The exchange visitor his or her copy of the Form IAP-66; and
(2) A notification copy of such form to the Agency.