My friend came to America with an academic grant, now she cant return for two years. is there any way to reduce that time period?

I assume that your friend has a two-year bar because she previously came to the US as an J-1 exchange scholar or student for which there was a two-year foreign residence requirement. A J visa bar is inapplicable to persons who apply for another J or F-1 student visa. In that case, a qualified candidate's visa application is decided in the discretion of the US consular officer.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.