Visa Issues

The Reagan-Fascell program consults with incoming fellows concerning their status and assists with the documentation needed to obtain U.S. visas.

J-1 Visa Status in the Research Scholar Subcategory

Prior to their arrival in the United States, prospective fellows who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States must obtain a J-1 exchange visitor visa in order to travel to the United States. Accompanying family members must obtain a J-2 visa.

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program typically welcomes its foreign fellows in the J-1 research scholar subcategory.

Two-Year Bar to Repeat Participation

Individuals seeking to participate in the Reagan-Fascell program as J-1 research scholars:

• cannot have participated in and completed a program as a J-1 professor or J-1 research scholar  program within the 24 months immediately preceding the start date of their Reagan-Fascell fellowship.
• cannot have participated in a J visa program (including J-2 dependents) for all, or part of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of the Reagan-Fascell fellowship period, unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
  • The participant is currently in a J-1 professor or research scholar program and is transferring to the National Endowment for Democracy to continue his or her J-1 program as a Reagan-Fascell Fellow;
  • The participant's prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J visa program was less than 6 months in duration.
  • The participant was as a J-1 short-term scholar

For more information on the J-1 research scholar category, visit the website of the U.S. Department of State.

Two-Year Home-Country Physical-Presence Requirement

Under U.S. law, J-1 exchange visitors (and their J-2 dependents) whose fellowships are funded by the U.S. government are typically required to return to their home country for two years following the completion of their fellowship before they are eligible for H status, L status, or before they may apply for permanent residence in the United States.

More information on the two-year home rule can be found on this page of the Department of State's website.