J-1 & J-2 visa holders with different nationalities

[kng85]

Hello,

My wife is a canadian citizen. She is doing her fellowship on J-1 visa. I'm an Indian citizen. If I move to J-2 visa status, would I be required to go back to India to fulfil the home country requirement? Let's say my wife and I move to Canada for two years after her fellowship, would that be considered satisfactory for us to come back to US on a H visa? Please advise.

Thanks,

Karthik

[pontevecchio]

You should discuss this with a lawyer. I suspect the 2 year HRR applies to her and not the person on J2 and hence staying back 2 years in Canada should do. Also as a Canadian Citizen and Physician she would be able to get licensed in the 50 states. A complicated matter and best dealt with ASAP so you can make appropriate plans.

[JoeF]

As far as I know, there is no home country requirement for J2 dependents. There may be a 2 year Home Residency Requirement for people on J1, depending on the J1.