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Due to recently announced federal immigration rule changes affecting international students and visiting scholars in the United States, immigration information on this website is subject to change. The new rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. Ohio State is reviewing the changes and will update this website as additional information becomes available.

I-94 Changes

Effective September 15, 2026, J-1 scholars may expect these key I-94 changes:

  • Upon the next entry to the United States after September 14, 2026, the “Duration of Status (D/S)” notation will be removed and replaced by a fixed end date/“Admit Until Date (AUD).” The AUD should appear as the DS-2019 program end date, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period. Currently, duration of status allows scholars to be admitted and stay in the United States as long as they are maintaining their non-immigrant status, such as engaging in their research activity. Under the new rule, scholars who do not finish their research activity within four years would be required to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application or travel internationally to request an extension of their J-1 program.
  • Certain transition provisions are allowed for active J-1 scholars and J-2 dependents currently in the United States under Duration of Status (D/S). J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents present in the United States before September 15, 2026 will retain D/S if they remain in the United States. Current scholars do not need to apply for a new, date-certain I-94. Instead, the next time they travel internationally after September 14, 2026 they will be issued a new date-certain I-94 then. View the FAQ for more information on impacts should more time be desired than what is on the date-certain I-94. 
  • When J-1/J-2 scholars travel outside of the United States on or after September 15, 2026, they will be admitted with a fixed-term end date and be subject to the new rule. J-1 scholars should confirm that their Class of Admission and Admit Until Date (AUD) are correct; all details on the I-94 should be reviewed for accuracy. Scholars should keep a copy of each I-94 for their records. Under current guidance, the I-94 should show D/S instead of a specific end date as shown below. After September 15, 2026, the I-94 record will reflect a fixed end date (AUD).
  • If the AUD date is earlier than the DS-2019 end date, additional action will be required by the scholar. Scholars will need to provide a copy of their I-94 to the Office of International Affairs. If the scholar believes an error was made on the I-94, they should contact the Office of International Affairs with questions or contact the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office in Columbus (call 614-497-1865) or submit a question to the CBP Information Center to request a correction to the I-94 record.

Sample of a new I-94

  1. Navigate to U.S. Customs and Border Protection's home page and click on Get Most Recent I-94/I-95.

     

    Screenshot of CBP website navigation with Get Most Recent I-94/I-95 outlined in red.
  2. Read and agree to terms.
Screenshot of CBP terms of service
  1. Choose to either take a picture of your passport to pre-populate information or click the X in the upper right corner to decline and move forward to the I-94 retrieval screen.
Screenshot of CBP terms and conditions.
  1. Type in your passport information.
Screenshot of traveler information for I-94/I-95
  1. Verify most recent I-94 for accuracy. Print and SAVE for your personal records.
    Here is an example of what a J-1/J-2 I-94 is expected to look like when entering the United States BEFORE September 15, 2026: 
Screenshot of I-94 with DS notation

Here is an example of what an exchange visitor's I-94 is expected to look like AFTER September 14, 2026:

Screenshot of what a scholar's most recent I-94 will look like, including the duration of status notation.

The Office of International Affairs will continue to provide updates on this important issue as new information becomes available.

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