For decades, U.S. law has allowed F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors to remain in the U.S. for as long as they were maintaining their program of study or exchange activity. This allowance was reflected in admission for “D/S” – “Duration of Status” – on the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.
Admission for “Duration of Status” allowed F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors to modify, extend, and transfer their status without having to go through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or other agencies, and allowed Designated School Officials and Responsible Officers to take certain actions on F-1/J-1 records without going through USCIS or other agencies.
On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a new rule that would replace “Duration of Status” with a fixed period of admission (also called an “Admit Until Date” or AUD). This rule is scheduled to go into effect on September 15, 2026.
This page collects information and resources for J-1 scholars related to this change.
What’s changing?
Starting September 15th, incoming or returning J-1 exchange visitors coming from abroad will be admitted until a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. The date will be:
- the end date on their DS-2019, or
- four years from their entry date, whichever is shorter,
- plus a 30-day grace period
Arriving J-1 exchange visitors should check their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, and contact ISO if the Admit Until Date appears incorrect.
Similarly, J-1 exchange visitors already in the U.S. will automatically be transitioned to a specific Admit Until Date:
- the end date on their DS-2019 or
- four years from 09/15/2026, whichever is shorter,
- plus a 30-day grace period
There will be no notice from the government of this transition, but ISO will identify and follow up with affected J-1 scholars wherever possible.
Under the new rule, any extension of that Admit Until Date will require additional action by the J-1 exchange visitor. J-1 exchange visitors will have two options to extend their admit until date:
- File an I-539 Application to Extend Status with USCIS, or
- Leave the U.S. and apply for a new period of admission at a U.S. port of entry
If they file an I-539 application before their current J-1 admission expires, J-1 exchange visitors will be able to continue their exchange activity (including UW employment) as outlined below.
