No, these documents remain valid. They are still proof of your valid status inside the U.S. and can still be used to return to the U.S. after international travel.
The new rule will probably not impact you much; however, it is still important to check your I-94 record every time you return from international travel, to make sure that CBP gets your “admit until date” right.
No, if we are able to issue your extended DS-2019 on or before 09/14/2026, no I-539 is necessary. In general, check your I-94 record each time you reenter the U.S. after international travel.
No, if your DS-2019 is amended with no change to the end date, no I-539 is necessary.
Your J documents & eligibility to travel remain as before, so if you have a valid DS-2019 & J visa stamp, you are still eligible to travel, and will receive a new I-94 record with a new period of admission when you reenter the U.S.
Your academic unit can request an extension if:
- You have time left in the title (for example, you are a postdoctoral scholar and you have postdoc eligibility left),
- You have time left on your J-1 eligibility, AND
- You are UW-paid, OR you are paid direct (PDR) and can document your external funding for the entire length of the extension
ISO is working with departments to process all J-1 extensions as soon as possible. You should work with your department to ensure they have what they need for the extension.
You are allowed to leave UW before the end date on your DS-2019; you or your academic unit should contact ISO to let us know about your early departure so that we can shorten your DS-2019. Once your program ends, you have a 30 day grace period to depart the U.S. or take other action to maintain your lawful status (e.g., apply for a change of status).
Yes, if you are otherwise eligible for reentry (that is, if you have a valid DS-2019 and a valid visa stamp), you can travel and request a new period of admission at the port of entry instead of filing an I-539 application.
ISO is not allowed to help individual scholars fill out the I-539, but we are adding guidance to our website on how to fill it out. See our I-539 Application page for more information.
Yes, you can file the I-539 application electronically.
We are not aware of central funding for these fees. Scholars are generally required to pay fees for individual applications like the I-539; however, units may pay this fee, or reimburse it if they choose to do so.
There is no limit on how early you can submit Form I-539, although you do have to submit it while you are inside the U.S. and in active J-1 status.
Yes, you can travel and reenter the U.S.:
- If you are reentering before your current period of admission has expired, you can ask to be admitted through that end date, OR for a new period of admission.
- If you are reentering after your current period of admission has expired, you can ask for a new period of admission. However, if you do this, your I-539 will be deemed abandoned and you will lose your filing fee.
Yes, they will need to apply for an extension with you; however, you can submit one I-539 application (if you are filing on paper by mail) that includes you and all of your dependents.
If you are filing one Form I-539 on paper for you and your dependents, the current filing fee is $470 and you would only pay one fee.
In the alternative, if you decide to file Form I-539 online for you and each of your dependents, the current filing fee is $420, but you would pay it for you and each of your dependents.