Two Visas. One with cancelled without prejudice stamp.

J1 visa cancelled without prejudice and extended two more years. 2 year rule?

• I extended my J1 (3 years) with the '2 years rule does apply' for 2 more years. When I when to the Embassy to have it extended, the stamped "J1 visa cancelled without prejudice" on the old one and the extended one has '2 years rule does not apply' apply on it. Does it mean that I don't need a waiver and I can change to other visas like H1B? Many thanks

• Answer:

  well, if your original J visa had the 212e two year residency requirement, that remains in effect until you've actually spent two years at home, unless you can prove the original requirement was a mistake. it doesn't go away just because you got into a new program. so, if you want to get an H1b or an immigrant visa, you will first need to get a waiver, or spend your time back home.