Important Update: J-1 "Duration of Status" Is Ending on September 15, 2026 — What This Means for Your Extension
As a J-1 exchange visitor, you may have heard that the U.S. government is making a major change to how long exchange visitors are authorized to stay in the United States. We want to explain this change clearly, so you understand what it means for your program and your future plans.
Please be aware that on July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule ending "Duration of Status," commonly known as D/S, for J-1 exchange visitors (as well as F-1 students and I visa holders). This rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
What is changing?
For more than three decades, most J-1 exchange visitors were admitted to the United States for "Duration of Status." This meant your Form I-94 simply said "D/S," and you could remain in the U.S. for as long as you kept your program in good standing on your Form DS-2019, without a fixed expiration date attached to your admission.
Beginning September 15, 2026, this will no longer be the case. Instead, most J-1 exchange visitors entering the U.S. will receive a specific "Admit Until Date" (AUD) printed on their Form I-94. This date will generally match the end date on your DS-2019, up to a maximum of four years, plus a 30-day grace period.
It is important to understand that this is not a four-year limit on your total time in J-1 status. It is a limit on a single period of admission. If your program continues beyond that period, you may still remain in the United States — but you will need to take an additional step to obtain more time.
What does this mean for extensions?
Under the current system, if your program sponsor extended your DS-2019, that extension alone was generally enough to keep you in lawful status. Under the new rule, this will change. If you need more time beyond your Admit Until Date, you will generally need to do one of the following:
-
File an Extension of Stay (Form I-539) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your current admission expires, or
-
Depart the United States and re-enter with an updated DS-2019, which will result in a new Form I-94 and a new Admit Until Date.
We encourage you to speak with your program sponsor well in advance if you believe your program will run longer than expected, so there is enough time to prepare and file the necessary paperwork.
If you are already in the United States
If you are currently in J-1 status and were admitted under Duration of Status before September 15, 2026, please be aware that you are generally covered by transition provisions. This means you do not need to take immediate action on September 15, 2026. You may continue your program under your current admission until the end date on your DS-2019, or until October 15, 2030 at the latest (four years after the rule takes effect, plus the 30-day grace period), whichever comes first.
However, this protection ends if you travel internationally and re-enter the United States on or after September 15, 2026. Any trip home, even a short one, will result in a new Form I-94 with a fixed Admit Until Date under the new system. We advise you to think carefully about the timing of any international travel and to speak with your program sponsor beforehand if you are unsure how a trip might affect your status.
Why this matters
Under the new rule, missing your Admit Until Date can have serious consequences. Unlike the old D/S system, where status violations often required a formal determination before unlawful presence began, the new system ties your lawful stay directly to the date on your Form I-94. Remaining past that date without an approved extension could mean accruing unlawful presence, which can lead to a three-year or ten-year bar on returning to the United States.
For this reason, it is important to:
-
Know the exact Admit Until Date on your Form I-94.
-
Check your Form I-94 after every entry into the United States at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
-
Talk with your program sponsor early if your program may run past your current admission date.
-
Avoid relying on informal information or social media summaries, since federal agencies are still expected to issue additional guidance.
We understand this is a significant change, and it is natural to have questions. Please remember that your program sponsor is here to help you understand how these new rules apply to your individual situation, and to guide you through any extension process you may need.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us anytime at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy!
