Department of State Provides Information for Exchange Visitors Impacted by Coronavirus

The Department of State’s (DOS) Office of Academic Exchanges has provided information for exchange visitors whose travel may be affected by the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). In an email to sponsors, the office describes USCIS’s discretion to extend or change status, and in some cases provide student work authorization, for individuals who cannot depart the United States at the appropriate time due to extreme circumstances.

In the email, the DOS office reiterates that any exchange visitors subject to the home residency requirement will need a 212(e) waiver, but notes that expedited waiver processing may be requested for cases with urgent humanitarian need. Additionally, DOS notes that exchange visitors can request a “No Objection Statement” from their home country government and submit it as an update to their application once they have a waiver case number. For more information concerning applying for a J visa waiver, please review the information included here.