Check section 4 of your DS-2019 as soon as you receive it. When you enter the USA, check your I-94 record to see your Admit Until Date (or “D/S” if the rule is still blocked). Make sure you leave the USA by your AUD. Staying longer can affect your ability to return to the USA in the future. If anything looks wrong, contact Camp Leaders immediately.

Your Admit Until Date (AUD) and Expected Completion Date

Q: What is an Admit Until Date (AUD)?

Under the new rule, US Immigration would give you a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) when you enter the USA, instead of D/S. Your AUD is the date you must leave the USA by. It is normally your program end date plus 30 days.

Q: What is the Expected Completion Date?

J-1 visa sponsors can now add an Expected Completion Date when they create your DS-2019. This is the latest date your program is expected to finish. If your DS-2019 shows an Expected Completion Date, US Immigration should set your AUD to that date plus 30 days. Your visa sponsor can then extend your program up to that date if needed, without a separate application.

Q: Where can I find it on my DS-2019?

Look in section 4, “Subject/Field Code Remarks” . This is the same box that shows your US position. If an Expected Completion Date has been added, it will appear at the start of the box in this format: Expected Completion Date: MM/DD/YYYY Any other details, such as your role, come after it.

A guide to the new fixed admission rule for J-1 visa holders: what it means for your time in the USA, and where to find your Expected Completion Date on your DS-2019

What has changed?

In July 2026, the US government published a final rule that changes how long J-1 visa holders can stay in the USA. It was due to come into effect on September 15, 2026.

However, a federal court has issued a nationwide preliminary injunction. This temporarily blocks the rule from coming into effect. For now, the current rules still apply. We are sharing this guide so you know what to expect if the rule does come into effect.

What is “Duration of Status”?

Until now, J-1 visa holders have been admitted to the USA for “Duration of Status” (D/S). This means you could stay for as long as your DS-2019 was valid, plus a 30-day grace period. You didn’t have a fixed leave date on your entry record.

What is an Admit Until Date (AUD)?

Under the new rule, US Immigration would give you a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) when you enter the USA, instead of D/S. Your AUD is the date you must leave the USA by. It is normally your program end date plus 30 days.

What is the Expected Completion Date?

J-1 visa sponsors can now add an Expected Completion Date when they create your DS-2019. This is the latest date your program is expected to finish.

If your DS-2019 shows an Expected Completion Date, US Immigration should set your AUD to that date plus 30 days. Your visa sponsor can then extend your program up to that date if needed, without a separate application.

Where can I find it on my DS-2019?

Look in section 4, “Subject/Field Code Remarks”. This is the same box that shows your US position. If an Expected Completion Date has been added, it will appear at the start of the box in this format:

Expected Completion Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Any other details, such as your role, come after it.

What if my DS-2019 doesn’t have an Expected Completion Date?

Your AUD will be based on your program end date. If you then need to extend your stay, the process is more complicated than in the past. You would need to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay a fee, currently $420.

What should I do?

Check section 4 of your DS-2019 as soon as you receive it.
When you enter the USA, check your I-94 record to see your Admit Until Date (or “D/S” if the rule is still blocked).
Make sure you leave the USA by your AUD. Staying longer can affect your ability to return to the USA in the future.
If anything looks wrong, contact Camp Leaders immediately.