Two-Year Rule

Exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents may be subject to Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, commonly referred to as the two-year rule, two-year home residency requirement, or 212(e). Exchange visitors subject to the rule must fulfill the physical presence requirements (physically present in their home country for an aggregate of two years or obtain a waiver) before becoming eligible for H visas, changes of status applications, or adjustments to US permanent resident status.