Taylor Ryan

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J-1 Visas for Cultural Exchange Visitors

The J visa is based on exchanges between the United States and foreign countries and is a  comprehensive visa covering several different categories: (1) students; (2) trainees; (3) teachers; (4) professors; (5) international visitors; (6) alien physicians; (7) government visitors; (8) researchers; (9) short term scholars; (10) specialists; (11) camp counselors; and (12) au pairs. Most of these categories permit full-time work authorization for varying time units. Organizations must set up their own J-1 program in order to sponsor exchange visitors or use an existing program. We can assist employers in setting up a J program or in locating an organization with an appropriate J-1 program for your situation.

Two-year Home Residence Requirements: Participation in certain J-1programs may impose a two-year home residence requirement upon the visa holder. The two-year home residence requirement must be satisfied or waived before the J-1 visa holder is permitted to change status to H-1B or L, or to adjust status to permanent resident.

Waiver of the Two-Year Home Residence Requirements: Whether and how waivers may be obtained depends upon the basis of the obligation. Some obligations may be waived by obtaining a no objection statement from the home country of the J-1. Other obligations may only be waived if an interested government agency petitions on behalf of the J-1. Finally, if the J-1 can demonstrate that his or her return home for two years would impose exceptional hardship on a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident spouse a hardship waiver may be available.  Please click here for more detailed information.

Duration: The different categories of J-1 exchanges have different time limits ranging from just a few months to several years.

Dependents: Unlike most other nonimmigrant categories, J-2 family members of J-1s may apply for and receive work authorization if they can show that income is not needed to support the J-1 alien.

Aparna Maybhate

“My husband and I both were applying for permanent residency on our own, so we needed to build our case based on the importance of our work. He works for Johns Hopkins University, and I’m an astronomer doing instrument calibration and user support for the Space Telescope Science Institute. Given the broad-reaching impact of my … Read More "Aparna Maybhate"
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Francisco Leon

“I have a lot of experience in working with immigration attorneys, and I wholeheartedly recommend the superb services and counsel of Mary Ryan and the team at Taylor & Ryan — they truly rise to the top of their field. After holding a J-1 and three O-1 visas and now, thanks to Mary, a Green … Read More "Francisco Leon"
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Reid Bowman

“At Allegis Group, we hire hundreds of thousands of temporary workers across our business groups — compliance is critical. Taylor & Ryan had a deep understanding of our business and helped us think through highly complex immigration scenarios as a true strategic extension of our team. They went far above and beyond to provide a … Read More "Reid Bowman"
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Sonja W. Scholz, MD, PhD

“For someone who is a professional researcher and puts in very long work days, Taylor & Ryan is the ideal immigration law firm. They are true professionals, very efficient, and provide you with access to an online secure database to facilitate your case. I had concerns about being able to maintain my overseas conference schedule … Read More "Sonja W. Scholz, MD, PhD"
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Dennis Mesko

“Taylor & Ryan has provided immigration legal services to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) for about the past 7 years. The nature of our work requires specialized scientific knowledge from a limited number of potential candidates in a worldwide employee market place. Our ability to rely on the expertise of Taylor … Read More "Dennis Mesko"
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David Graham, PhD

“Mary and her staff were able to help us quickly navigate the requirements for permanent residence status. They were professional and courteous and helped us stay on track for document preparation through personal contact and excellent software that helped us manage the application through all phases. The end result was an application that was approved … Read More "David Graham, PhD"
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Diane Davis

“Kollmorgen is a large corporation with diverse needs when it comes to immigration legal matters, and we have come to rely on the team at Taylor & Ryan for their professionalism, consistency, and knowledge sharing. When you work with Taylor & Ryan, there’s a personal touch. I always get a response to inquiries within 24 … Read More "Diane Davis"
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Karen Rasch

“As a growing and evolving academic institution, Loyola University has come to appreciate the true partnership we have with the team at Taylor & Ryan. While their online case management system is easy to use and the forms are all readily available for seamless filing, what I have really come to value is that they … Read More "Karen Rasch"
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Dianna C. Palien

“As a cutting-edge teaching hospital renowned for top-flight medical professionals, St. Agnes Hospital has come to appreciate the consistent, thorough, and highly responsive relationship we have with Frances Taylor and the team of immigration legal experts at Taylor & Ryan. They provide us with timely, relevant updates combined with reliable strategic counsel on the best … Read More "Dianna C. Palien"
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Deborah Bedwell

“Instead of using clay, paint, tools and brushes, Mary Ryan uses the law to create something truly beautiful out of something that would otherwise be a mess. She understands the unique flavor that international artists bring to our community to enhance its richness, intensity and vigor. Baltimore Clayworks and the artistic community locally, regionally, and … Read More "Deborah Bedwell"
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Jennifer Kerilla

“The Johns Hopkins University Medical Institution has a lot of moving parts with many complex immigration matters across the medical campus, including those for the hospital and health systems as well as the University’s Schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing. While immigration matters may be unpredictable in nature, I have absolute confidence that no … Read More "Jennifer Kerilla"
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