24-month Research Scholar / Professor Bar: J-1 Exchange Visitors (and their J-2 dependents) in the Professor or Research Scholar category are subject to the 24-month bar. This means that the EV will not be able to begin a new J-1 program as Professor or Research Scholar until 24 months after their current Professor or Research Scholar Program ends.

12-month Research Scholar/ Professor Bar: J-1 Exchange Visitors (and their J-2 dependents) in any J-1 category other than Professor or Research Scholar (e.g. Degree Student, Student Non-degree) for more than 6 months are subject to the 12-month bar. This means that the EV will not be able to begin a new J-1 program as Professor or Research Scholar until 12 months after their current J-1 program ends.

Exceptions to this rule exist for those Exchange Visitors who are transferring programs or who have been present in J status in the Short-Term Scholar category.

Other bars include:

3-month Short-term Scholar Bar : J-1 Exchange Visitors at UCLA in the Professor or Research Scholar category are subject to the 3-month bar. This means that the EV will not be able to begin a new J-1 program at UCLA as Short-term Scholar until 3 months after their current Professor or Research Scholar Program ends. EV will also need to demonstrate that objectives under Short-term Scholar program will not be a continuation of previous program. A new subject of activity is required.

1-month bar : There must be at least a 1 month gap between any J-1 categories.