Important Update: Revised Exchange Visitor Skills List

The Department of State has released an updated Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective December 9, 2024. This revised list will be used by consular officers to determine the applicability of the two-year home country physical presence requirement (INA section 212(e)) for J exchange visitor visas.

Good news for many! If your country was previously on the Skills List but is not included in the 2024 version, you are no longer subject to the two-year requirement based solely on the Skills List. However, please note that other factors, such as U.S. or home country government funding or completion of graduate medical education/training in the U.S., could still trigger this requirement.

Regarding pending Form DS-3035 applications: The Waiver Review Division will continue processing these applications. If your country was on a previous Skills List but is removed from the 2024 list, we will reassess your eligibility for the waiver. You will be notified of our determination.

Applications from individuals still subject to the two-year requirement (for reasons other than the Skills List) will be processed as usual.