If I am under the two years home residency requirement can I go to the US earlier then in 2 years?

Question

Hi! I have been to the US before on a J1 visa, through an exchange program fully supported by the US government. As a result, a two-years home residency requirement has been set to me. After returning to my home country at the end of the exchange program, I spend 1 year here. Now I would like to go to the US again, on a different exchange program, this time supported by myself only. At the end of that program I am planning to come back to my conuntry and spend one more year here. What chances do I have to get a visa for this second program if I apply after spending only 1 year in my home country?

Answer 1

The two year residency program doesn't affect most US visa categories. It only restricts you from getting immigrant visas and H an L work visas. Otherwise, you remain eligible to apply for everything else. The 2 year residency requirement remains, so if you've been home for 1 year already, you'll have to go back for another year, if you want to qualify for an H or L visa, or any immigrant visa.