Hi,
I'm a PhD student from Belgium, enrolled in my university at home. I came in the US in 2022 for 60 days in July-Sept under a J-1 student intern visa then went back to Belgium. I returned to the US in January 2023 under a new J-1 research scholar visa and have been in the US ever since to do my PhD in Massachusetts (as a visiting PhD student). Minus time off for vacation etc, I've been in the US in 2023 for around 310 days and 340 in 2024.
When I filed last year, in 2024 for 2023, I used Sprintax, as a Non-resident, everything went fine. I'm wondering what my status is this year. From what I've understand, J-1 student have a 5 year exemption and research scholars have only 2, but does that stack? Meaning do the 2 months I spent in 2022 actually count as a year, then another in 2023 as a research scholar therefore barring me to file the 1040NR? I would hope that the extension limit of 2 years as a research scholar actually begin with the new visa but I didn't find a conclusive answer.
Thank you very much.
