New DHS Rule: Initial Guidance for J-1 Scholars and Departments Who Support J-1 Scholars

Posted July 29, 2026

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new rule that changes how J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents are admitted to and extend their stay in the United States. The rule also impacts international students. International F-1 and J-1 student guidance will be posted to ISSO's website shortly. 

The rule is titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” 

• On July 31, 2026, ISSO emailed UCSF-sponsored J-1 scholars about this new rule.

• On August 3, 2026, ISSO partnered with Academic Personnel Director and Academic Personnel Managers to notify APAs about the new rule via email.

• On August 3, 2026, ISSO partnered with Academic Personnel managers to notify UCSF departments about the new rule via email.

• ISSO will post information about the new rule to the next HR Update Newsletter. 

Important: ISSO is continuing to review this complex rule and will provide additional guidance as implementation details become available. Legal challenges or future federal guidance may affect the rule's implementation.

Effective Date

September 15, 2026

What Is Changing?

Beginning September 15, 2026, J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents will receive a fixed “Admit Until Date” (AUD) on their Form I-94 when they enter or re-enter the United States. This date will generally match the end date on the DS-2019 plus a 30-day grace period, and will not exceed four years.

This Admit Until Date (AUD) designation replaces the current “Duration of Status (D/S)” admission.

If a J-1 scholar or J-2 dependent needs to remain in the United States beyond the I-94 Admit Until Date, they will need to either:

1. Apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an I-539 Extension of Stay (EOS) before the I-94 Admit Until Date, or
2. Leave the United States and re-enter on or after the DS-2019 extension start date using the extension DS-2019.

Under the new DHS rule, some J-1 extensions will require USCIS approval and can no longer be completed solely by ISSO. As a result, ISSO may not be able to accommodate expedited extension requests as we have in the past. We appreciate your partnership in planning extension requests as early as possible, with department requests submitted to Academic Personnel no later than 2 months before current end dates.

Key Changes

Fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) Upon U.S. Entry

Beginning September 15, 2026:

• J-1 scholars and J-2 dependents who enter the U.S. from abroad will receive a specific “Admit Until Date (AUD)" on their I-94 from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) instead of "D/S."
• The admission period will generally match the DS-2019 end date, up to four years, plus the 30-day grace period. 

New Extension Rules and 240-Day Grace Period

If a scholar needs more time beyond the I-94 Admit Until Date, such as for extensions, J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents must either:

• Apply for a USCIS Extension of Stay (EOS) using form I-539, or
• Travel outside the United States and re-enter on or after the DS-2019 extension start date using the extension DS-2019.

A timely filed I-539 Extension of Stay application may allow eligible J-1 scholars to continue authorized employment for up to 240 days while USCIS reviews the application. A filing is considered timely filed when USCIS issues an I-797C receipt notification to the exchange visitor showing a notice date on or before the current I-94 Admit Until Date. 

Premium processing is not currently available for Form I-539 EOS applications.

Transition Guidance for Current J-1 Scholars

Check I-94 Form(s)

J-scholars and their J-2 dependents should check their I-94 form if in the U.S.

• No further action is needed with regards to your current I-94 even after September 15, 2026 if the Admit Until Date shows D/S and the Class of Admission respectively lists J-1 or J-2 status.
• If an I-94 shows a date earlier than the DS-2019 end date or an incorrect Class of Admission, email your ISSO adviser with the I-94(s), DS-2019 form(s), and passport expiration page(s) with a brief explanation of th error and wait for instructions.

If exchange visitors exit the U.S. on or after Sept 15, 2026, expect to be assigned an I-94 with a fixed Admit Until Date upon return. Exchange visitors and their dependents will not retain any transition benefits upon re-entry after September 15, 2026.

Follow new extension rules

If a DS-2019 form is extended on or after Sept. 15, 2026, the scholar must follow the new exchange visitor extension requirements by filing an I-539 EOS or traveling and re-entering the U.S. after the DS-2019 extension start date. Scholars and their dependents are independently responsible for maintaining their legal status by confirming that their I-94 form is issued correctly upon each U.S. re-entry.

Plan to Request a SEVIS Transfer Early

Submit the completed J-1 Transfer Out Form or J-1 Transfer In Form to ISSO with signatures from all parties at least 4 weeks before the transfer so international offices can advise appropriately. Scholars must contact their ISSO adviser if the J-1 Transfer In date is the same as the J-1 DS-2019 end date. 

What Should J-1 Scholars Do?

If entering the U.S. on or after September 15

• Check J-1 and J-2 I-94 forms within 48 hours of each U.S. arrival.
• Each I-94 should list an Admit Until Date which mirrors the extension DS-2019 end date (plus 30 days grace period) and a Class of Admission of J-1 (or J-2 for dependents).
• If an I-94 is incorrect, contact an ISSO adviser immediately, no later than 3 days after return, and send copies of your passport, DS-2019, and I-94 with a brief explanation of the error.
• Wait for instructions from your ISSO adviser.

If a scholar anticipates their department will extend the J-1 program:

• Scholars should respond promptly to campus HR or department HR administrator requests for supplemental documents or DocuSign signatures required for extension requests

• Department HR administrators should submit Oracle extension requests to HR no later than 2 months in advance of the extension start date.

Under the new rule, ISSO will have limited ability to accommodate expedited J-1 extension requests because the new provisions require additional processing steps. 

If a scholar has J-2 dependents

• Filing an EOS online requires a separate application and filing fee for each dependent.
• Filing an EOS by paper only requires one application and one filing fee.
• J-2 status depends on the J-1 scholar's status. If the J-1 scholar travels outside the U.S. without the J-2 dependent, the J-1's I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) becomes the date that both the J-1 and J-2 must follow. If the J-2's I-94 shows a later date, that later date does not extend the J-2's stay. To remain in the U.S. beyond the J-1's AUD, the J-1 and J-2 must either apply for a USCIS Extension of Stay (EOS) or travel and re-enter the U.S.
• A USCIS EOS submission does not extend employment eligibility for J-2s. The 240-day provision only applies to J-1 scholars. J-2s must wait for EOS approval notification or an I-94 with a valid AUD in advance of applying for an extension of their J-2 employment authorization.  

Guidance for Departments

• Review HR end-date reports regularly to identify scholars who may need a J-1 extension.
• Work with J-1 scholars to submit extension requests through Oracle as early as possible, and no later than two months before the extension start date. This earlier timeline reflects new DHS processing requirements.
• Use the most current ISSO forms when submitting requests, including the updated J-1 Transfer-In Form and Host Faculty Attestation. Using the most recent forms will prevent processing delays. 
• For questions about I-9 verification or reverification, please contact your campus Academic Personnel Analyst (APA), who can provide guidance on campus I-9 procedures. ISSO is legally unable to provide I-9 advice.

Guidance for Non-UCSF International Scholars

UCSF students or scholars sponsored by another organization (such as Fulbright or ECFMG), should contact their J-1 sponsoring institution directly for specific guidance.

Resources

ISSO

• Using the Form I-539 to Change or Extend Your Visa Status

• Comparison Chart: Changing or Extending Status by Travel vs In-Country

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

• Duration of Status Rule

International Student Resource Center (ISRC)

• Review of D/S Rule

• D/S Rule FAQs

Study in the States

• Study in the States: Quick Facts  

• Study in the States: FAQ

Initial Guidance: New DHS Duration of Status Rule

Posted July 20, 2026

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that replaces the longstanding “Duration of Status” (D/S) framework with a fixed period admission for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.

Beginning with the rule’s effective date on September 15, 2026, some individuals in F-1 and J-1 status will need to apply for an extension of stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after ISSO extends I-20 or DS-2019 forms to maintain lawful status. The rule also imposes new limits on student program changes.

Please Wait for Additional Guidance

At this time, please do not contact ISSO with questions about the new rule. Allowing ISSO time to review the published final rule will help us provide accurate guidance to the UCSF community. ISSO will share detailed guidance with affected UCSF-sponsored international students, scholars, Academic Personnel, HR, and department administrators soon. Information will be continue to be posted on this page.

Important Information

• The new rule was published on July 17, 2026.
• The new rule is not yet in effect.
• The rule takes effect on September 15, 2026 (60 days after publication).

Initial Guidance for UCSF-Sponsored Students & Scholars

• If you are currently in the U.S., check your I-94. Make sure the "Admit Until Date" says "D/S." If it does, you may remain in the U.S. until your I-20, DS-2019, OPT, or STEM OPT end date, as long as you do not travel outside the U.S. If your I-94 does not say "D/S," email your ISSO adviser with a copy of your I-94 and wait for further instructions.
• After every trip outside the U.S., check your new I-94 within 48 hours of returning. Make sure the "Admit Until Date" matches your I-20, DS-2019, OPT, or STEM OPT end date. If it does not, email your ISSO adviser with a copy of your I-94 and wait for further instructions.
• Respond promptly if ISSO, HR, or your department requests information about your UCSF-sponsored F-1 or J-1 program.

Initial Guidance for Non-UCSF-Sponsored Students & Scholars

UCSF students or scholars sponsored by another organization (such as Fulbright or ECFMG), should contact their F-1 or J-1 sponsoring institution directly for specific guidance.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we work to implement this regulatory change.