QUESTION
J-1: Country Exclusion - Exchange Visitors List 2009
Asked on Feb 19th, 2015 on Immigration - Georgia
More details to this question:
Greetings, Came to US as J-1 in 1988 with wife as J-2. Country, Pakistan, has been taken OFF the Exchange Visitor List 2009. Does this mean that we are NO MORE subject to the 2-year home country residency requirement? US Government site "http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/study-exchange/exchange/exchange-visitor-skills-list.html Says: Effective Date ¿ Which Skills List Applies? The 2009 Skills List applies to exchange visitors who receive their J-1 visa on or after June 28, 2009, and whose country is on the 2009 Skills List. Exchange visitors who entered the United States prior to June 28, 2009 continue to be governed by the skills list that was in effect when they received their J-1 visa. Exchange visitors whose countries were removed from the 2009 Skills List, are, retroactively, not subject to the two-year home residence requirement based on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, even if they entered the United States prior to the effective date. Best regards.
1 ANSWER
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It is our understanding that when a country’s skills list is removed, those who were subject to it previously are no longer subject. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.
Answered on Mar 19th, 2015 at 9:18 AM