Extension of J-1 visa (beyond 7 years)

[Distant 0]

Maximum J-1 Visa Duration is 7 years. I am currently in my 7th year with my J-1 visa, but i'm in my second to last year in Medical Residency Training. I need 1 more year to complete my residency training. Am I able to get an 8th year of J-1 Visa sponsorship approval to complete my training?

[jan22 2,907]

Was the J-1 issued for medical residency or did you have a different program for part of the time?  If the only program you have been on is medical residency/internship, there can be no extension past the 7 years.  That is the absolute maximum by regulation. The only extensions past the maximum are certain professors and research scholars, who must show exceptional circumstances.

[Distant 0]

My first year of J-1 visa was: "Research Scholar", and I was doing 1 year of research then.

I started my residency the following year and my DS-2019 was for: "Alien physician; research scholar" for the past 6 years. I will need one more year to complete my residency training.

 

The total of 7 years of residency training includes 2 years of research that were part of the residency training.

 

Is having one year remaining, out of seven years to complete my training considered an acceptable circumstance?

 

Kindly advise.

 

 

Edited May 22, 2017 by Distant

[controlla 104]

I would recommend that you consult with an experienced immigration lawyer. You should also contact the HR department at your hospital. A mistake could ruin your chances of adjusting status to an employment-based visa that would allows you to practice as an attending physician after you complete your residency training.