On June 8, 2023, USCIS released comprehensive guidance on the exchange visitor classification (J-1) in the Policy Manual. USCIS is currently in the process of updating this guidance to provide further clarification regarding how they assess whether a benefit requestor has fulfilled the two-year foreign residence requirement. This updated guidance, found in Volume 2 of the Policy Manual, is immediately effective and applies to benefit requests submitted on or after October 24, 2023. The guidance within the Policy Manual takes precedence and supersedes any previous guidance on the same topic. You can access the guidance document at this link: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20231024-ForeignResidenceRequirement.pdf
Remzi Guvenc Kulen, Esq.
Kulen Law Firm, P.C.
