On July 30, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) published a proposed rule that clarifies the conditions under which a sponsor must terminate a J-1 exchange visitor’s program and authorizes DOS, in its discretion, to terminate an exchange visitor’s program in limited circumstances; modifies extension of program status and reinstatement to valid program status by eliminating certain requirements and introducing updated procedures that make use of current Student and Exchange Visitor Information System functionality; includes definitions for “Unauthorized Employment” and “Valid Program Status”; and rescinds the separate extension-of-program provision for au pairs.
Comments are due by September 28, 2026.
