The information below addresses frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the new federal fixed period of admission rule. Scholars can seek further assistance with these or other questions by contacting ISSS at ischolar@uoregon.edu or call 541-346-3206.
The fixed period of admission rule impacts J-1 scholars – namely, J visa holders whose DS-2019s indicate a category of program other than “student”. UO's J scholars include Short-Term Scholars, “Student Interns” (note – this is not the same as a ‘student’), Specialists, Research Scholars, and Professors.
Q1: I have “D/S” on my I-94 arrival record. How will the new rule impact my stay at UO?
A1: The potential impact depends on a combination of the Box 4 category on your DS-2019 and your specific situation. Scholars who have “D/S” on their I-94 arrival record may engage in professional activities in the U.S. for the shorter of:
- The Box 3 end date of the DS-2019 in effect on September 15 (which is based, in turn, on the invitation or offer extended to you by UO), OR
- The maximum duration of your Box 4 category
- J-1 short-term scholar: Six (6) months from the Box 3 start date on the DS-2019
- J-1 “student intern” (visiting undergraduate student): Twelve (12) months from the Box 3 start date on the DS-2019
- Research scholar or professor: Five (5) years from the Box 3 start date on the DS-2019.
Q2: I will enter (or re-enter following travel abroad) into the United States on or after September 15, 2026. How will the new rule impact my stay at UO?
A2: The potential impact depends on a combination of the Box 4 category on your DS-2019 and your specific situation. After September 15, 2026, you may engage in your professional activities in the USA for the shorter of:
- The Box 3 end date of the DS-2019 in effect on September 15 (which is based, in turn, on the invitation or offer extended to you by UO), OR
- The maximum duration of your Box 4 category
- J-1 short-term scholar: Six (6) months from the Box 3 start date on the DS-2019
- J-1 “student intern” (visiting undergraduate student): Twelve (12) months from the Box 3 start date on the DS-2019
- Research scholar or professor: Five (5) years from the Box 3 start date on the DS-2019. However, your legal stay in the United States will be limited to only four (4) years. You must file an I-539 Application with USCIS requesting extension of your stay in the US beyond the 4th year, as outlined below to engage in professional activities during the 5th year of J status.
Q3: What should I do immediately after reentering the U.S.?
A3: You must check the official CBP I-94/I-95 portal within 24 hours of every entry to retrieve and review your electronic Form I-94. If the "Admit Until Date" (AUD) does not align with your DS-2019 timeline (plus the 30-day grace period), contact ISSS immediately to request a CBP Deferred Inspection correction. Leaving an incorrect AUD uncorrected on your I-94 could cause you to automatically accrue severe unlawful presence penalties.
Q4: Does my grace period change?
A4: No.
In addition to the time during which you can engage in your professional activities, as outlined above, all J-1 scholars (and their J-2 dependents) receive a 30-day grace period. Day 1 of this grace period begins the day after the Box 3 End Date on your DS-2019; the grace period ends at midnight on Day 30. The grace period is intended to facilitate winding up your stay and sightseeing prior to departing for your home country. Professional activities (regardless of whether they are paid or unpaid) are not permitted during the grace period.
Q5: I want to extend my DS-2019 before this rule takes effect, just in case. How do I request this?
A5: The process by which J-1 scholars may extend their DS-2019 before the rule takes effect will depend on the scholar’s situation at UO.
- The host academic unit (not the scholar) must submit a request to ISSS for extension of the Form DS-2019. Please see our website for instructions about how to submit requests. Note that:
- UO policy limits the total duration of certain appointment categories. Extensions beyond policy limits are not permitted.
- All J extensions must be accompanied by documentation of health insurance for the requested extension or 12 months, whichever is shorter.
- If the request is approved, ISSS will issue a new Form DS-2019 with updated Box 3 end date for the scholar’s program activities.
Q6: May I request an extension of my DS-2019 before September 15, even if my host/hiring department does not want to support this?
A6: Maybe. Depending on the specific situation of the scholar and host/hiring unit, it might be possible for the scholar to convert to a self-funded visiting appointment for a pre-set, temporary period. Please reach out to ischolar@uoregon.edu to discuss. Note, though, that even in this circumstance, evidence of health insurance will be needed, as this is a regulatory requirement that cannot be waived.
Q7: How will I extend my stay in the United States after September 15, 2026?
A7: J-1 scholars who want to remain engaged in professional activities in the U.S. after the end date on the Form DS-2019 in effect on September 15, 2026, must follow these steps to extend both their DS-2019 and U.S. stays:
- The host academic unit (not the scholar) must submit a request to ISSS for extension of the Form DS-2019. Please see our website for instructions about how to submit requests. Note that:
- UO policy limits the total duration of certain appointment categories. Extensions beyond policy limits are not permitted.
- All J extensions must be accompanied by documentation of health insurance for the requested extension or twelve months, whichever is shorter.
- If the request is approved, ISSS will issue a new Form DS-2019 with an updated Box 3 end date for the scholar’s program activities.
- The scholar must submit a Form I-539 application accompanied by the new DS-2019 to the USCIS to requesting the extension of their period of admission.
- If the application for extension is timely received by USCIS, the scholar is authorized to continue participating in the J-1 program activities.
- If the timely filed I-539 is received by USCIS on or before March 18, 2027, the scholar may continue to engage in their activities until the new end date of the DS-2019.
- After this 6-month transition period, timely filed I-539s authorize scholars to continue engaging in program activities for up to 240 days while the application is pending.
Q8: How will I transfer to another institution after this new rule takes effect on September 15, 2026?
A8: There are two possible circumstances in which a scholar transfer might be desired:
- Transfers to another U.S. institution with an extension of the DS-2019 Box 3 end date.
- These situations may require both issuance of a new DS-2019 and submission of a Form I-539 to the USCIS. The exact mechanism for how this might occur is not clear within the rule. Further clarification will likely be available when the government’s SEVIS system is updated.
- Transfers to another U.S. institution during the Box 3 start and end dates that are already listed on your DS-2019. (In other words, transfers where an extension of your DS-2019 is not also required).
- These situations may only require issuance of a new DS-2019 by the new, receiving host institution. However, the exact mechanism for how transfers will occur for scholars is not clear within the rule. Further clarification likely will be available when the government’s SEVIS system is updated.
Note: the rules and procedures for scholar program transfers are completely different from those for student programs. Scholars have Box 4 categories on their DS-2019 of Short-Term Scholar, Research Scholar, Professor, Specialist or “Student Intern”.
Additional resources
The information provided on this webpage is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.