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Duration of Status: J-1 Exchange Visitors and the Expected Completion Date

Last updated on September 11, 2026

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U.S. Department of State Guidance Directive 2026-01 provided guidance to sponsors on how to fill out Form DS-2019 under the new rule establishing a fixed time period of admission for Exchange Visitors.  It confirms that DHS will generally use the Program End Date listed on Form DS-2019 as the primary guide for determining the AUD. Understanding that DS-2019 regulations can only allow issuance for a time period where there is secured funding, although the program objective may be longer, the Department of State also established an Expected Completion Date. This allows program administrators the opportunity to include the anticipated program objective end date (Expected Completion Date) as long as it does not exceed the maximum stay for the category.

What is the difference between my Program End Date and my Expected Completion Date?

The Program End Date is the actual end date of your program and the date by which all activities must end. The Expected Completion Date is the maximum duration possible based on your J-1 category. An Expected Completion Date that is longer than your Program End Date does not automatically extend your J-1 program or change your current program end date. 

If you need additional time to complete your program beyond your current program end date, you must follow the applicable extension procedures, and any extension must remain within the maximum duration permitted for your J-1 category.

What is the benefit of adding an Expected Completion Date?

The U.S. Department of State has indicated that scholars present in the US on September 15, 2026 with a Duration of Status (D/S) I-94, who also have an Effective Completion Date added to their DS-2019, will allow OIS to extend the current program end date up until the Expected Completion Date without the student or scholar being required to file an extension of stay application with USCIS or travel to extend their authorized period of stay.  If the student or scholar travels after September 15, 2026, the Expected Completion Date will allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection the ability to use the Expected Completion Date when determining the AUD, though the Department of State acknowledges that DHS has the ultimate authority over that determination and may decline to grant the Expected Completion Date based on other factors such as the J-1/J-2 passport expiration date.  Regardless, the AUD cannot exceed four years, regardless of the Expected Completion Date entered on the form.

How is OIS determining the Expected Completion Date?

OIS is entering Expected Completion Dates based on the maximum length of stay for each respective J-1 category:

  • J-1 students:  Program end date plus period of eligible Academic Training.
  • J-1 Student Interns: 12 months (not to exceed expected graduation date)
  • J-1 Short Term scholar: 6 months
  • J-1 Scholars/Professors: 5 years

An Expected Completion Date is not a promise or guarantee of a continued program through that date. It does not constitute an offer, commitment, or guarantee of an appointment, funding, employment by NC State University, and all Academic Training must be otherwise approvable. If a J-1 student or scholar needs more time beyond their DS-2019 program end date, the student or scholar (for scholars, in an action initiated by the department) must still apply for a program extension through OIS prior to the DS-2019 program end date.

Will new incoming J-1 students or scholars be issued DS-2019s with Expected Completion Dates?

Yes, moving forward all incoming J-1 students and scholars will be issued DS-2019s with Expected Completion Dates that match the average time to degree plus eligible Academic Training periods for J-1 students, or for the maximum stay for J-1 student interns, short term scholars, research scholars and professors.