Can I Stay in the US After Fulbright Scholarship?
The Fulbright Program is an international exchange program sponsored by the United States government. It is designed to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. As part of the program, participants from other countries are able to study, research, and teach in the United States.
Many participants in the Fulbright Program are eager to stay in the United States after their program ends. However, the program does have specific requirements for participants who wish to remain in the United States.
Q: Can Fulbright participants stay in the United States after their program, or do they need to return to their home country?
A: Upon completion of their program, Fulbrighters are required to return to their home country to complete the two-year residency requirement before becoming eligible to apply for other visas.
The two-year residency requirement is a stipulation of the Fulbright Program. This means that participants must return to their home country for at least two years after their program ends before they can apply for other visas. This requirement is in place to ensure that participants have the opportunity to share the knowledge and experiences they gained in the United States with their home country.
However, there are some exceptions to the two-year residency requirement. For example, participants may be able to apply for a change of status or a waiver of the two-year residency requirement if they are able to demonstrate that their return to their home country would cause extreme hardship.
In addition, participants may be able to apply for other visas, such as a student visa or a work visa, that would allow them to remain in the United States after their program ends. However, it is important to note that these visas are subject to approval and may not be available to all participants.
Overall, the Fulbright Program is an excellent opportunity for international students to gain valuable experience in the United States. However, participants should be aware that they are required to return to their home country after their program ends in order to fulfill the two-year residency requirement. While there are some exceptions to this requirement, participants should be aware that they may not be able to stay in the United States after their program ends.
