USCIS Updates Policy on Its Role in Adjudicating Waivers and Change-of-Status for J Nonimmigrant Exchange Visitors

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated policy guidance regarding the nonimmigrant exchange visitor (J) visa classification, including USCIS’s role in the adjudication of waivers of the two-year foreign residence requirement and change-of-status requests. The guidance:

• Provides general information about the exchange visitor (J) visa classification and explains USCIS’s role in adjudicating change-of-status requests and applications for employment authorization for J-2 family members.
• Explains the INA § 212(e) foreign residence requirement and provides information about USCIS’s adjudication of available waivers, including for foreign medical graduates.

Related Link:

• USCIS Policy Alert, PA-2023-17 (June 8, 2023)