Duration of Status; Extensions

J-1 students must maintain status by continuing full-time in their program of study and meeting its requirements. Although DS 2019 Forms are generally issued for one year, many students complete their program of study sooner, within the 9-month academic year. Extensions are possible if one is continuing as a student in the same or a similar educational activity. Extensions must be requested and approved through the Academic Affairs/Graduate Studies Office in a timely manner, at least 30 days before the expiration date on your present DS 2019.

Students on a J-1 visa are admitted to the United States for a specific period of time. The official name is "duration of status." As long as you are following requirements to keep your status in force, you can legally remain in the U.S. Duration of status includes:

# The time during which you are pursuing a full course of study and making normal progress toward completing that course, (see catalog for details) plus

# The time you may be working in authorized "academic training" after you complete studies (if you qualify and are so authorized).

When you arrive in the U.S., either at the airport or another port of entry, Customs and Immigration agents grant duration of status to J-l students by entering your date of arrival in the U.S. and the notation "D/S" (Duration of Status) in the upper right corners of the following two documents: 1. the Form DS 2019 you used to obtain your visa 2. the Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record, that you will receive at the border or from the airlines before you land in the U.S.

 Last Updated On: 11/15/05