Posted 07/24/2026
International Scholars Operations has completed its initial analysis and is preparing resources for scholars and units. Here are some important things to know in the meantime.
Effect on Scholars:
For now:
- Your current J-1 documents are still valid.
The new rule does not affect the validity of your DS-2019 or your J visa stamp. You are still eligible to travel using those documents, subject to our guidance at J-1 Travel. - The new rule does not go into effect until 09/15/2026.
It may be delayed by litigation, by a vote of Congress, or by the Department of Homeland Security itself. - There’s nothing J-1 exchange visitors need to do now.
ISO will be in touch soon with more guidance, but there’s no action that individual J-1 exchange visitors should take at this time. - Extending your DS-2019 now will help.
DS-2019 extensions prior to the effective date of 09/15/2026 will be cheaper and easier than after the effective date. ISO is working with departments, schools, colleges, and campuses to extend DS-2019s where possible before the rule goes into effect.
Once the rule goes into effect:
- J-1 exchange visitors who arrive in the U.S. (either on an initial entry, or on reentry) will receive an I-94 record that lists a “date certain” admit until date. This date will match the end date on their most recent DS-2019, or a date four years out (whichever is shorter), plus their 30-day grace period.
- J-1 exchange visitors who are already in the U.S. and do not travel will not receive a new I-94 record; however, if UW or another program sponsor extends their DS-2019, these exchange visitors will have two options to extend their period of admission:
- Filing an I-539 Application to Extend Status with USCIS before their prior DS-2019 expires, or
- Leaving the U.S. and applying for a new period of admission at a U.S. port of entry.
Effect on UW academic units, departments, schools, colleges, and campuses:
A new rule was recently published that will transition J-1 exchange visitors from “duration of status” to “date certain” admission. This essentially means that once the rule is in effect, exchange visitors would have to apply to USCIS, or exit the U.S. and reenter, every time they get a new extension of their DS-2019. This rule will go into effect on September 15, 2026.
In order to avoid the cost and uncertainty associated with J-1 extensions after that effective date, ISO encourages units to submit J visa requests to extend existing J-1 exchange visitors by August 17, 2026. ISO will make all necessary efforts to process all viable extension requests received by this date and issue new DS-2019s before the effective date of September 15. Please note that the usual limits on and requirements for J-1 eligibility will still apply, including appointment eligibility, funding, and insurance compliance.
Upcoming information sessions and other resources:
ISO is holding information sessions on the upcoming rule change for both J-1 exchange visitors and the units that support them. ISO advisors will share what we already know, answer questions where we can, and gather additional questions for follow up.
- For J-1 exchange visitors/scholars: To register for one of these sessions and submit questions, see our International Scholars calendar.
- For unit administrators: To register for this session and submit questions, see our training calendar.
ISO is also working to produce additional guidance and support regarding this change, including:
- Updated documentation and web materials around J-1 extensions and the I-539 Application to Extend Status
- An FAQ for scholars
- More trainings and information sessions closer to the effective date of the rule
Please note that this new rule has to be implemented across numerous U.S. government agencies and systems, and implementation may take some time. ISO will continue to update our guidance and this blog post as we learn more.
Posted 07/16/2026:
International Scholars Operations (ISO) is aware of recently-announced changes to “duration of status” for J-1 exchange visitors, which will be published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026. ISO is analyzing these changes in partnership with peers across campus and in the immigration field. The new rule will not go into effect until September 15, 2026.
As currently posted, the rule is over 500 pages long, and it will take time to analyze and understand fully. Once our analysis is complete, we will reach out to affected parties and to campus with information and next steps. Updates will also be added to this blog post. We understand the anxiety that this change represents for international scholars, whom we greatly value at the UW. Our priority is to complete the analysis and reach out with more information as quickly as possible. To enable this work to happen quickly, we respectfully request that scholars and units not send emails about individual affected cases or scholars until we develop and share these updates.