Who is Subject to the Foreign Residence Requirement?

Only the following visitors are subject to the foreign residence requirement:

• Any part of your participation in the exchange program was paid for, directly or indirectly, by your government or the United States Government. Your program sponsor should have noted on your DS- 2019 (previously the IAP-66) (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status) if your program was paid for directly or indirectly by your government or the United States Government. You can also discuss this issue with officials from the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
• You are from a country which has been designated by Bureau of Consular Affairs as requiring your skills; or
• You arrived in the United States on or after January 10, 1977 to obtain graduate medical education or training.