What is the 12-month bar, and how is it different from the 24-month bar?

FAQ.

Answered by Robin Catmur-Smith, Managing Director of the International Student Resource Center

Last updated: July, 2026

What is the 12-month bar, and how is it different from the 24-month bar?

The 12-month bar prevents you from starting a new J-1 Research Scholar or Professor program if you were physically in the U.S. in any J status (J-1 or J-2) for more than 6 months during the 12 months before the new program’s start date. It looks at any recent time in J status; the 24-month bar is triggered by completing a Research Scholar/Professor program.

How the 12-month bar works

• All J-status time in the 12-month look-back counts in full; if it exceeds 6 months, the bar applies.

• The 12-month period begins the day after your J-1 program end date (not departure date).

• Exceptions: continuous J-1 transfers; prior J status under 6 months; Short-Term Scholar time (doesn’t count); and anyone already subject to the 24-month bar isn’t separately subject to the 12-month bar.

12-month vs. 24-month bar

• 12-month — about how much recent time you spent in any J status before a new program.

• 24-month — triggered by completing a J-1 Research Scholar/Professor program, regardless of length.

Transfers and Short-Term Scholar time do not subject you to the bars. In practice, anyone who clears the 24-month bar has also satisfied the 12-month bar.

References: 22 CFR 62.20(d)