Changes to Duration of Status: Updates and Resources

Beginning September 15, 2026, most F-1 students, J-1 students and exchange visitors, and their dependents will no longer be admitted for Duration of Status (D/S). Instead, they will receive a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94 that indicates how long they are authorized to remain in the United States. 

For most individuals admitted on or after September 15, 2026, the AUD will generally be based on the program end date listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019, or four years from admission, whichever is earlier. 

Yes. Students and scholars who are already in F or J status on September 15, 2026, may remain under a transitional framework tied to their current immigration documents. Requirements may differ depending on your most recent entry date and Form I-94 record. 

The program end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 reflects the expected completion date of your academic program. The AUD on your Form I-94 reflects how long you are authorized to remain in the United States. 

No. Your visa expiration date controls when you may seek entry to the United States. Your AUD controls how long you may remain in the United States after admission. 

Generally, yes. Under the new admission framework, the AUD includes a 30-day grace period following program completion.

Students who are physically present in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status on September 15, 2026, may remain subject to transition provisions and may continue to see D/S on their Form I-94. Students who enter or re-enter the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will generally receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94. 

Students should review their Form I-94 after every entry to the United States and confirm that their immigration classification and admission information are correct. Any discrepancies should be reported to their campus international offices as soon as possible.

No. Four years is generally the maximum length of a single admission period under the new rule. 

Students who continue to maintain status may be eligible for additional authorized periods of stay through an Extension of Stay application or by obtaining a new period of admission following international travel and reentry, if eligible.

In some circumstances, your authorized period of admission may be affected by your passport validity. Students should ensure their passports remain valid throughout their program and consult their campus international offices if they have questions about expiration dates.

Yes. However, after each entry to the United States, you should review your Form I-94 and confirm that your admission information and AUD are accurate. 

If you need additional time beyond your AUD, you may need both an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019 and an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). 

A Program Extension updates the academic or program end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and is processed through your campus international office. 

An Extension of Stay (EOS) is a separate request filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain additional time in the United States beyond your current authorized admission period. In some situations, both may be required.  

Extension of Stay applications are filed directly with USCIS by the student or scholar. Campus international offices can provide guidance and updated immigration documents but do not file Form I-539 on behalf of individuals. 

Students should work with  their campus international office well before their program end date or AUD. Waiting until the last minute could affect eligibility for continued study or other immigration benefits. Additional guidance on the extension application will be provided as guidance becomes available from government agencies.  

F-2 and J-2 dependents will also receive a fixed period of admission which may not exceed the authorized period of admission for the principal F-1 or J-1 student.  

F-2 or J-2 dependents also need to apply for an extension of stay to remain in the United States beyond their Admit Until Date.

Transfer options remain available, but the new regulation creates additional limitations in certain circumstances. Students should consult their campus international office before making transfer plans.

Some academic changes may be subject to new restrictions. Students should discuss any proposed changes with their campus international office before taking action.

Possibly. The rule includes special transition provisions for certain students currently in F-1 status with D/S on their I-94. Depending on your immigration history, travel history, and the timing of your application, an Extension of Stay application may also be required when applying for OPT or STEM OPT. 

Because implementation guidance is still evolving, students should consult their campus international office before applying. 

Possibly. J-1 students may continue to participate in Academic Training if they remain eligible under Exchange Visitor Program regulations. Depending on individual circumstances, an Extension of Stay application may also be required.

Students should consult your campus international office well in advance of their anticipated application date. Additional guidance will be posted as federal agencies release implementation procedures. 

Yes. Beginning September 15, 2026, J-1 exchange visitors will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) rather than admission for Duration of Status (D/S). 

For J-1 exchange visitors entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, the AUD will be the program end date on their DS-2019, or four years, whichever is shorter, plus a 30-day grace period. 

J-1 exchange visitors who are present in the United States before September 15, 2026, and whose Form I-94 reflects D/S may remain in the United States under transition provisions. They will not be automatically issued a new Form I-94 with a fixed end date. In general, they may remain through the end date of their current Form DS-2019, or up to four years after September 15, 2026, whichever occurs first, plus a 30-day grace period without applying for an Extension of Stay. 

Additional action may be required if more time is needed beyond that period.

No. The rule changes the admission framework and how long individuals are admitted to the United States. It does not change maximum program durations, underlying eligibility requirements, or category limitations established for J-1 exchange visitors.

If additional time is needed beyond your authorized period of admission, your sponsoring unit will need to submit a J-1 program extension request to the applicable international office.  

After you receive your new Form DS-2019 from your international office, you will then need to file an Extension of Stay application (Form I-539) with USCIS.

No. Your campus international office can provide guidance and issue updated immigration documents when appropriate, but Extension of Stay applications must be filed directly with USCIS by the exchange visitor.

You should notify your applicable international office within 10 days of moving.  Additionally, you should also notify USCIS.  More information can be found here. Failure to notify USCIS could result in important documents (receipts, approvals, and requests for evidence) being sent to the wrong address.

Yes, if you have filed your Extension of Stay (I-539) application before your program end, you will be granted an automatic extension allowing you to continue program activities.  Please consult your applicable international office on the duration of that automatic extension period.     

If a J-1 scholar transfers to a new J-1 sponsor after September 15, 2026 and the new sponsor is extending their J-1 program, they will be required to file an Extension of Stay (I-539) application with USCIS after their new Form DS-2019 is issued by the new sponsor.

Yes. The new rule does not change existing category limitations or maximum program durations for J-1 research scholars, professors, short term scholars, visiting research students or student interns. 

Yes. International travel remains permitted. 

Before traveling internationally, be sure to submit a travel request in Sunapsis and verify that your passport is valid 6 months beyond your DS-2019 program end date.   

After every entry to the United States, exchange visitors should review their Form I-94 and confirm that their immigration classification and Admit Until Date (AUD) are accurate. Under the new rule, the Form I-94 becomes especially important because it reflects the authorized period of admission. 

In some cases, yes. 

An eligible J-1 exchange visitor who travels internationally and reenters the United States may receive a new Form I-94 and a new period of admission based on their current Form DS-2019 and eligibility for admission. Admission decisions are made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry. 

Individuals should consult their applicable international office before making international travel plans, particularly if they have immigration, visa, or travel-related concerns.

Possibly. Entry requirements, visa processing, and travel restrictions may change over time. Exchange visitors should review current guidance and consult your campus international office before traveling internationally if they have questions about their ability to return to the United States.

Yes. J-2 dependents are also subject to the new admission framework and will generally receive a fixed period of admission rather than D/S when they enter the U.S. after September 15, 2026.

No. A J-2 dependent's authorized stay cannot extend beyond that of the principal J-1 exchange visitor. 

If a J-2 dependent needs to remain in the United States beyond their authorized period of admission, an Extension of Stay application will be required, consistent with the procedures applicable to the principal J-1 exchange visitor. 

J-2 dependents must have a valid EAD; they do not receive the benefit of continued work authorization once the EAD expires.    

Your campus international office will provide guidance, updates, and resources as implementation of the rule continues. However, exchange visitors are responsible for monitoring their immigration documents, maintaining valid status, and taking any required action before their authorized period of admission expires. 

The most significant change is that F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will generally be admitted for a fixed period rather than Duration of Status. As a result, immigration timelines will become even more important.

Campus international offices will continue to advise students and scholars on immigration requirements, but departments should be aware that delays in academic, hiring, funding, or appointment decisions could affect a student's or scholar's ability to maintain status. 

Departments should work with their campus international office as early as possible. Advance planning will be critical because some individuals may need both updated immigration documents and USCIS approval to extend their stay. 

Possibly. Certain program changes, transfers, and level changes may be affected by the new regulation. Departments should consult Rutgers Global/campus international office before advising students on these actions. 

Yes. J-1 extensions should be submitted in Sunapsis at least 4 months prior to program expiration to allow sufficient time for the new procedures.  

J-1 transfers should be submitted in Sunapsis at least 4 months prior to the Rutgers start date.  Preemployment screenings should also be completed before the J-1 request is submitted in Sunapsis.   

If the J-1 scholar is transferring to Rutgers and extending their J-1 program, they will need to file an Extension of Stay (I-539) application with USCIS after they receive their Form DS-2019. Transfers should occur at least 1 month prior to their current J-1 program end date.

Departments should contact their applicable campus international office before making commitments or recommendations related to immigration status, extensions, transfers, program changes, employment authorization, or international travel.