Aug. 21, 2026

 

On August 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of State issued Guidance Directive 2026-01: Final Rule Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission for Exchange Visitors (J Nonimmigrants) related to J-1 exchange visitors that would allow the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to consider admitting or extending an exchange visitor into the U.S. for a period longer than their official Form DS-2019 Program End Date. If approved at the discretion of CBP upon entry or re-entry to the U.S., the exchange visitor may not have to file a separate I-539 application requesting an extension of stay. Based on this new guidance, if a current D/S exchange visitor does not exit and re-enter the U.S., the exchange visitor may remain under the D/S through the Expected Completion Date as long as ISSC is able to update the J-1’s DS-2019 before the deadline.

Sponsors (UNLV) may report an “Expected Completion Date” on the DS-2019 if the existing Program End Date does not reflect when the J-1 exchange visitor is actually expected to complete their program. DHS may consider the “Expected Completion Date” when determining the visitor’s admission period, which may be up to four years plus 30 days, depending on the program type.
 
Please note that the Expected Completion Date does not guarantee admission to, or continued stay in, the U.S. through that date. DHS retains authority to determine the actual admission period, and the four-year limit applies to the DHS admission period, not necessarily to the total duration of the exchange visitor’s authorized program under Department of State regulations. 

Sponsoring UNLV departments must confirm the anticipated program completion dates for each J-1 exchange visitor in their department. Departments must provide accurate information so that DS-2019s reflect the Expected Completion Date of the program. 

The maximum program duration for each J-1 exchange visitor category is:

  • Professors and Research Scholars: 5 years
  • Short-Term Scholars: 6 months
  • Student Interns: 12 months (1 year)
  • Non-Degree-Seeking Students: 24 months (2 years)
  • Degree-Seeking Students: No explicit end date specified; can be extended to the expected graduation date.