LOST JOB!!!!! J-1 to J-2 ... do I need waiver? J-1 Valid till March 2014

[abh1]

I am on a J-1 Visa, working as a postdoctoral researcher (J-1 Visa valid till March 2014). My J-1 visa My wife is on her separate J-1 visa .. also as a postdoc. 

My lab lost its grant and hence I have 3 months to find a new job. 

 

IF I cannot find a new job, I WANT to convert to J-2 under my wive's J-1, so that I can stay here and keep looking. 

Can I do that? DO I need to have a waiver to convert from J-1 to J-2?

 

PLease advice

[Attorney_11]

Generally, individuals in J-1 classification who are subject to the home residency requirement under 212(e) are not permitted to change status in the United States -  they must depart and apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad. Note, that until a waiver is received, an individual in J-1 classification subject to the home residence requirement under 212(e) is not eligible to apply for H or L visa/classification, nor are they eligible to apply for a green card, family or employment based.