Resources for UW’s global community

ISO: New Rule Ending “Duration of Status” for J-1 Exchange Visitors

International Scholars Operations (ISO) is aware of recently-announced changes to “duration of status” for J-1 exchange visitors, which will be published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026. ISO is analyzing these changes in partnership with peers across campus and in the immigration field. The new rule will not go into effect until September 15, 2026.

As currently posted, the rule is over 500 pages long, and it will take time to analyze and understand fully. Once our analysis is complete, we will reach out to affected parties and to campus with information and next steps. Updates will also be added to this blog post. We understand the anxiety that this change represents for international scholars, whom we greatly value at the UW. Our priority is to complete the analysis and reach out with more information as quickly as possible. To enable this work to happen quickly, we respectfully request that scholars and units not send emails about individual affected cases or scholars until we develop and share these updates.

ISS Update on Changes to Duration of Status

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published to the Federal Register the final rule that will eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 students and replace it with a fixed admit until date (AUD) upon admission to the U.S.

The final rule does not take effect until September 15, 2026.

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published to the Federal Register the final rule that will eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 students and replace it with a fixed admit until date (AUD) upon admission to the U.S.

The final rule does not take effect until September 15, 2026.

We understand this change creates uncertainty and raises many questions about how this new rule will impact our F-1 and J-1 international student community. We do not have answers yet, but we are actively collaborating with immigration experts and national organizations across the country to review and understand exactly what the new policy changes mean, the timeline, and any immediate impacts. ISS is working with University leadership, campus partners, and other immigration subject matter experts to quickly understand the new regulations and provide further updates to our F-1 and J-1 students.

What You Should Know Right Now

There is no action you need to take right now. This update is intended to keep you informed while ISS completes a thorough review of the rule. The final published rule is complex and will take us time to analyze and fully understand the regulatory changes. Our priority is to complete our analysis and follow up with more information as soon as possible. To enable this work, we kindly ask that you do not send emails about individual F-1 and J-1 student cases until we have completed this assessment. Also note that ISS web pages will not reflect the new policy until we are able to complete our review and understand the immediate impacts.

What Students Should Continue to Do

While ISS evaluates the changes, it remains important to stay in compliance with current immigration regulations. We encourage students to:

• Maintain full-time enrollment and continue meeting F-1 or J-1 registration requirements.
• Report any U.S. address change within 10 days by updating your local address in MyUW so ISS can report the change in SEVIS.
• Review your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date and submit requests early through MyISSS for benefits such as extensions, change of degree level, final quarter reduced course load, CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT.
• Monitor your @uw.edu email and continue reading ISS newsletters and blog updates for reliable information. Go to the ISS Duration of Status (D/S) Hub for the most up-to-date information.

Support for Our International Community

The University of Washington values and supports our international students. ISS staff are continuing to work with campus leaders and national immigration organizations to understand these developments and advocate for clear guidance.

ISS advisors remain available to answer questions about your F-1 or J-1 status through virtual and in-person advising or email, but they will not be able to answer questions about Duration of Status until we have completed a review and analysis of the regulatory changes.

We Will Keep You Updated

ISS will provide further communication as soon as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience as we carefully review these changes and determine how they may affect our international student community. We will continue to update the ISS Duration of Status (D/S) Hub with the most updated information once we have completed our assessment.

International Student Services Office – Expanding U.S. Entry Restrictions

On December 16, 2025, the White House announced an update to the Presidential Proclamation titled, “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States” which further expands the list of countries whose nationals will be restricted on entering the U.S. The travel restrictions should not affect students already in the U.S. or those students with a valid F-1 or J-1 visa prior to the effective date of the updated proclamation. The proclamation is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 1, 2026.

Full Suspension of Entry

The Proclamation continues full restrictions of nationals from the 12 countries announced in the original Presidential Proclamation from June 4, but includes 7 additional countries to the full suspension from entering the U.S. list. This restriction applies to F-1 and J-1 student visa categories:

• Afghanistan
• Burkina Faso*
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos*
• Libya
• Mali*
• Niger*
• Palestinian Authority* (individuals who seek to travel on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority)
• Sierra Leone*
• Somalia
• South Sudan*
• Sudan
• Syria*
• Yemen

Countries marked with an * above are the newly added countries. Laos and Sierra Leone have been changed from the previous partial restrictions list to the full restrictions list.

Partial Suspension of Entry

The updated Proclamation continues the partial restrictions of nationals from 4 countries but adds 15 more countries that now have partial restrictions or limitations, affecting entry on immigrant and some nonimmigrant visas. This restriction applies to F-1 and J-1 student visa categories:

• Angola*
• Antigua and Barbuda*
• Benin*
• Burundi
• Côte d’Ivoire*
• Cuba
• Dominica*
• Gabon*
• The Gambia*
• Malawi*
• Mauritania*
• Nigeria*
• Senegal*
• Tanzania*
• Togo
• Tonga*
• Venezuela
• Zambia*
• Zimbabwe*

Who does this Affect?

As outlined in the Presidential Proclamation, the suspension of entry to the U.S. is applicable only to nationals of the listed countries who:

• are outside the U.S. on January 01, 2026 12:01 am eastern standard time, and
• do not have a valid visa on January 01, 2026 12:01 am eastern standard time

Current Students and Alumni

Current F and J international students from the affected countries with valid visas and who are physically present in the U.S. should not be subject to the updated travel restrictions. However if you have plans to travel outside the U.S., International Student Services strongly advises you to consult our office or an immigration attorney. If you decide to travel, visa renewal and re-entry in the U.S. is not guaranteed.

Incoming Students

Incoming F and J international students who are outside the U.S. and have been issued a visa before January 01, 2026 should not be affected by these entry bans. However, incoming international students who have not been issued a visa by January 01, 2026 will likely not be eligible to obtain a visa or travel to the U.S. according to the updated restrictions by this Presidential Proclamation. We recommend reaching out to Graduate Enrollment Management Services for incoming Master’s or PhD students or Undergraduate International Admissions for incoming Bachelor’s degree students to discuss your options.

International Scholars Office – Updated Guidance on New H-1B Visa Fee

On September 20th, USCIS and Customs and Border Protection issued guidance clarifying that the executive order issued on September 19th only affects H-1B petitions that have not been filed yet, and the beneficiaries thereof.

This means that any UW employee who has already had an H-1B petition for them filed and/or approved should not be subject to the new fee requirement. H-1B employees currently outside the U.S. should be able to reenter subject to the usual requirements and guidance listed on our Travel on H-1B Visa page.

This is a significant change from what was originally announced yesterday evening. We in ISO extend our sincerest apologies and support to any employee whose travel plans were disrupted by the announcement yesterday. We will continue to reach out with updated guidance as we can.

As always, please send your questions to us at acadvisa@uw.edu.

International Scholars Office – Update from the International Scholars Office – New H1-B Visa Fees

On September 19, 2025, an Executive Order was issued that bans entry in H-1B status by anyone whose employer has not paid a $100,000 fee on their behalf. The executive order goes into effect at 12:01AM EST on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

This requirement only applies to persons entering the U.S. in H-1B status; scholars already in the U.S. in H-1B status should not be affected unless they engage in international travel. Changes of status to or extensions of H-1B status inside the U.S. should also be unaffected.

• If you are in the U.S. in H-1B status, ISO recommends against international travel at this time.  
• If you are outside the U.S. and have an H-1B visa stamp or are visa-exempt, ISO strongly recommends that you return to the U.S. before 12:01AM EST on Sunday, September 21, 2025. 

We cannot predict whether or how the fee will change at this time. ISO will continue to provide updates as this situation evolves. Please contact us with any questions.

International Student Services – Update from the Seattle ISS Director: F&J Visa Appointments

• International Student Services – Update from the Seattle ISS Director: Travel Restrictions
• International Student Services – Presidential Proclamation: Restricting Entry of Foreign Nationals
• International Scholars Operations: Recently-announced U.S. entry ban

UW teams are reaching out to affected students and scholars directly with more information.

The Trump administration has signed a travel ban that is slated to go into effect at 12:01 am eastern daylight time on June 9, 2025 (9:01 pm Seattle time on June 8, 2025). The countries included in the travel ban are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Heightened restrictions (not a full ban) will also be imposed on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Individuals from the partially banned countries will not be able to come to the United States permanently or get new tourist, student, or exchange visitor visas. It is possible that other countries will be added to the ban at a later date.

The ban provisions only apply to nationals of the countries included in the travel ban who are outside of the U.S. and who do not already have a valid visa as of June 9, 2025. Individuals who are inside the United States on June 9, 2025, or who are outside the United States on that date but have a visa that is valid as of June 9, 2025, would not be covered by the ban. There are also exceptions for some visa categories.

We encourage current visa holders from affected countries to plan ahead carefully if traveling outside the U.S., as U.S. Customs and Border Protection may hold you for additional screening and/or deny re-entry upon your return. It is essential that you bring appropriate documentation, and you should adjust your plans to allow extra transit time.

This will impact the University of Washington community as we engage in study, research and other University activities abroad. However, we remain dedicated to our mission as a global university and to all members of our community, no matter where they call home. The University of Washington is committed to providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment that protects the privacy and human rights of our community.

International Student Services – Update from the Seattle ISS Director

International Scholars Operations – Department of State “pause” of F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa appointment availability

Office of the Provost – Updated: International students and scholars

International Scholars Operations – Immigration update for UW-sponsored J-1 scholars

UW News – Statement on UW students having visas revoked without notice

International Scholars Operations – Immigration update for UW-sponsored J-1 scholars

International Student Services – Immigration update for Seattle F-1 and J-1 students

International Student Services – Spring Break Travel Tips

Office of the Provost – Working together to address the financial risks facing our University

Office of the Provost – Provost Serio addresses federal issues in her annual town hall remarks and Q&A

Presidential Blog – In an uncertain environment, we we are working constantly and carefully to protect research

Office of the Provost – Federal Policy Updates

Presidential Blog – Our mission and values will guide us through changing times