Immigration Policy Updates:
International Scholar FAQs

Currently, J-1 exchange visitors are admitted to the U.S. for “Duration of Status,” meaning they can remain in the U.S. as long as they are maintaining their J-1 status and their J-1 DS-2019 form remains valid. The D/S annotation can be found on the I-94 admissions record. 

Effective September 15, 2026, new J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents will receive a fixed end date on their I-94 admissions record instead of D/S when they enter the U.S. on J-1 status.  

In most cases, admission would be limited to the program end date listed on the DS-2019 form or up to a maximum of four years from the program start date.    

Individuals needing additional time to complete their academic or exchange program may need to submit a formal Extension of Stay (EOS) request to USCIS.  

No, the rule has not gone into effect. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final rule eliminating Duration of Status (D/S) on July 17, 2026, but it does not take effect until September 15, 2026. Current D/S policies remain in effect through September 14, 2026.     

ISEO and UC San Diego campus partners are currently reviewing the published rule and identifying the changes that will affect the J-1 scholar population. Once the regulations are properly reviewed and processes are established, ISEO will update this page and send out communications to all those impacted by the change.  

No, it will not be updated to a fixed period of stay. However, once you travel outside of the U.S. and return on your J-1 program, you will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) that will list your fixed period of stay end date.  

If you do not travel at all during your J-1 program, your J-1 end date will either be the end date listed on your DS-2019 form OR 4 years from the effective date of the rule, whichever is shorter.  

Yes, if your passport is expiring soon, we recommend renewing it as soon as possible. Under the new regulations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will determine the length of your authorized stay when you are admitted to the U.S. If your passport expires before the end of your J-1 program, CBP may limit your period of admissions to match your passport expiration date instead of the full length of your J-1 program or the 4-year maximum, whichever is shorter. 

Possibly. DHS has established an Extension of Stay (EOS) process that would allow J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents (if applicable) to apply for an extension beyond the 4-year maximum. More information to come as UC San Diego reviews the updated regulations in detail.  

Yes, J-2 dependents will also be admitted for a fixed period of stay once the rule goes into effect. More information will be provided soon. 

At this time, UC San Diego is reviewing the recently published regulations and evaluating their impact on J-1 Exchange Visitor processes. We will provide additional guidance and implementation details as they become available. 

In the meantime, departments and scholars are encouraged to review upcoming J-1 program end dates and submit extension requests as early as possible. Requesting extensions well in advance may help minimize potential processing delays once the new regulations take effect. 

International travel always carries some level of risk as ability to re-enter is determined by a consular officer (visa appointment) and CBP officer (port of entry) and they have significant discretion when determining eligibility for re-entry. However, during periods of regulatory or policy changes, there may be additional risks to consider, as the impact can vary depending on the implemented changes.  

At this time, no changes to Duration of Status (D/S) have gone into effect, but individuals should remain informed when making international travel plans.  

UC San Diego recommends:  

• Review iTravel.ucsd.edu to ensure you have necessary documents to support a successful re-entry into the U.S  
  
• Reviewing updates from iUpdates.ucsd.edu   
  
• Staying informed about current immigration and travel-related developments   
  
• Monitoring visa appointment availability and processing times, if you need a new visa  
  
• Considering the possibility of delays related to visa issuance or administrative processing, see International Travel Considerations.   

As every situation is different, individuals with concerns about travel or potential impacts to their status should consider consulting with an immigration attorney to discuss their specific circumstances and risk factors.