Two-Year Bar on Repeat Participation
A Two-Year Bar on Repeat Participation applies only to J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Research Scholar or Professor categories. This means that the Exchange Visitor will not be able to start a new Research Scholar or Professor program until 2 years have passed from the completion date of the previous one. The two years may be spent outside the US (not necessarily in the person's home country) or in the US in another non-immigration status for which the person is eligible.
Once an exchange visitor arrives in the US in J-1 status in the Research Scholar or Professor category, the 5-year "clock" begins the countdown. When the program ends, whether only 5 weeks or 5 years later, the exchange visitor becomes subject to a two-year bar on repeat participation as a Research Scholar or Professor. However, participation in other J categories (i.e. Short-Term Scholar, Specialist, Student, etc.) is not restricted by this provision.
The Two-Year Bar is not the same as the 212(e) Two-Year Home Country Residency Requirement.