@amartincuks87 , whereas I generally agree with your conclusions :
(a) Change of status H-1B quenches benefits available under other immigration status
(b) Treaty benefits may or may not be affected , depending on the actual wording of the treaty.
However, I am not sure I understand the totality of your past situation. So please can you tell me a little bit more -- What country are you a citizen of ? When did you enter USA and with what visa? Was this your first entry or were there other earlier entries ? What treaty conditions were you asserting?
I ask these because for most treaties, the J-1 non-taxing by US is limited to 2 years, the five years of exemption from counting presence id valid only for F-1. So I need to understand the situation/ scenario. facts and circumstances.
pk
