Beginning September 15, 2026, the way your authorized stay in the United States is recorded will change. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule replacing duration of status with a fixed period of admission. The U.S. Department of State has since issued Guidance Directive 2026-01, which explains how sponsors such as Gravity International Programs must prepare Forms DS-2019 and maintain SEVIS records under the new framework.
Please be aware that this change does not end or shorten the J-1 program itself. It changes how long you are admitted at one time, and what you must do if you need additional time to complete your program.
What Is Changing
For many years, most J-1 exchange visitors were admitted for “duration of status,” often shortened to D/S. This meant your Form I-94 arrival record showed “D/S” rather than a specific date, and you were permitted to remain in the United States as long as you continued to follow the terms of your program.
Under the new rule, exchange visitors who enter the United States or change to J status on or after September 15, 2026 will receive an Admit Until Date, often called an AUD. The AUD is the last day you are authorized to remain in the United States in J-1 status. This period cannot be longer than four years.
How Your Admit Until Date Is Determined
DHS uses the Program End Date printed on your Form DS-2019 as the main guide. If your Program End Date falls within four years of your Program Begin Date, DHS will generally admit you until that date plus 30 days for departure. If a program is longer than four years, DHS may admit you for up to four years plus 30 days, and you would need to take further action to remain lawfully after that point.
For most interns and trainees, whose programs last 12 or 18 months, this means your Admit Until Date will normally match your Program End Date plus 30 days. It is important to understand that your DS-2019 dates and your Admit Until Date are two separate pieces of information. They are usually related, but they are not always identical, and other factors such as your passport expiration date may affect the period you are granted.
Please Check Your Form I-94 After Every Entry
We encourage you to review your Form I-94 arrival record each time you enter the United States. This is the record that shows the date you are authorized to remain. You can view and print it for free through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 website.
Be sure to save a copy for your records and write down the date. If anything on the record looks incorrect, contact us as soon as possible so it can be reviewed.
If You Need More Time to Complete Your Program
If your program is extended, or if you need additional time for a reason permitted in your category, please speak with us first. As your sponsor, we are responsible for updating your SEVIS record and issuing an updated Form DS-2019 that reflects your correct program dates.
Under the new rule, an updated Form DS-2019 by itself may not be enough to extend your authorized stay. DHS explains that an exchange visitor who needs time beyond the Admit Until Date must either apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension of stay using Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, or depart the United States and apply for admission again at a port of entry with a valid Form DS-2019 and a valid visa.
Please also remember that each exchange visitor category still has its own maximum program length under Department of State regulations. An extension of your authorized stay does not change those limits.
You may also notice a note in the remarks section of your Form DS-2019 that reads “Expected Completion Date.” This is an entry sponsors are now instructed to include in certain situations so that DHS can consider the full length of your program. This is handled by our team, and there is no action needed from you regarding that entry.
If Your Program Ends Early
If your program is shortened for a neutral reason, you are expected to depart by your Admit Until Date or within 30 days of your new Program End Date, whichever comes first.
If a program is terminated for a negative reason before the Admit Until Date, the exchange visitor is required to depart the United States immediately. This is one more reason why we encourage you to stay in regular contact with us and with your host organization, and to tell us early if something changes in your placement, your schedule, or your personal situation. Most concerns can be resolved when we hear about them in time.
What You Can Do Now
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Know both your Program End Date and your Admit Until Date, and keep them written down somewhere you can find easily.
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Save a copy of your most recent Form I-94 after each entry into the United States.
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Keep your passport valid well beyond your program dates.
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Tell us early if your program may be extended, shortened, or changed in any way.
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Keep your U.S. address, phone number, and email updated with us so your SEVIS record stays accurate.
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Do not assume that the earlier duration of status practice still applies to you after September 15, 2026.
You can review the Department of Homeland Security summary of the rule on the Study in the States quick facts page, and general information about the Exchange Visitor Program is available at BridgeUSA.
A Final Word
We understand that immigration announcements can feel unsettling, especially when they involve dates and deadlines. This change is largely administrative. Exchange visitors who follow their program terms, keep their documents current, and communicate with their sponsor should be able to continue their programs as planned.
As your designated sponsor, we are reviewing our records ahead of the September 15, 2026 effective date and will contact participants directly if any action is needed. You do not need to take any step on your own before hearing from us.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us anytime at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy!
