I am looking to hire a new employee. He/she is currently in a J-1 student status. Most of the student hires I have had in the past have been in an F-1, student status. How is the J-1 different from an F-1, student status?

The J-1 visa allows students to visit the United States as exchange visitors to perform a specific internship at the end of which, he/she must return to his/her home country. For employers, it is important to ask the J-1 holder whether he/she is subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement, pursuant to which, the J-1 holder must depart the United States and reside in his/her home country for two years prior to coming back to the United States. In very rare circumstances, the two-year requirement may be waived.