Research Scholars (J-1)

Visiting scholars from around the world are invited to Purdue University Northwest (PNW) through the J-1 Scholars Program. Whether you’re here to teach, research or collaborate, this program provides a supportive and enriching experience on campus.

In This Section

Fixed Period of Admission Rule: J-1 Scholar Impact

The Fixed Period of Admission rule also impacts J-1 scholars – namely, J visa holders whose DS-2019s indicate a category of program other than “student”.

Purdue’s J scholars include Short-Term Scholars, “Student Interns” (note: this is not the same as a ‘student’), Specialists, Research Scholars and Professors.

Read About the Fixed Period of Admission Rule

Inviting a J-1 Scholar to PNW

Bringing a J-1 Exchange Visitor to Purdue Northwest? Here’s how departments get started—with support from the Office of International Programs and Partnerships (IPP):

1. Complete Initial Forms

• Fill out the Department Request Form (DREVP)
  • Secure approvals from Department Chair, Dean and Provost’s Office
• Complete the English Proficiency Verification (EPV)
  • Secure approvals from Department Chair, Dean and Provost’s Office

2. Submit to IPP

• Send approved DREVP and EPV, scholar’s CV and passport copy

3. Compliance Review

• IPP conducts Export Control review (1 to 6 weeks)

4. Prepare Offer of Appointment

• Department drafts and obtains sign-off on the formal appointment letter

5. Financial Documentation (for self-funded scholars)

• Provide proof of funds at the required monthly minimums

6. Issue DS-2019 and Visa Paperwork

• IPP issues DS-2019 once all materials are in
• Scholar pays SEVIS fee, completes DS-160 and schedules visa interview

7. Arrange Health Insurance

• Ensure U.S.-compliant coverage for scholar and any dependents

8. Scholar Arrives and Orientation

• Scholar checks in with IPP and attends mandatory orientation

After Arrival Procedure

Welcome to Purdue Northwest! Once you arrive as a J-1 Scholar, there are a few key steps to get started and stay in compliance with U.S. regulations:

Check in with IPP within 10 days

• Scholars should bring their:
  • Passport
  • J-1 visa
  • DS-2019 form
  • Proof of health insurance

Orientation & SEVIS Activation

• Attend a mandatory orientation to learn about maintaining your visa status, exploring campus resources, adjusting to U.S. culture and getting involved.
• IPP will officially activate your J-1 record in the SEVIS system.

Settling In

Work with your host department to:

• Set up office space
• Get access to systems like your email, ID card and library
• Create a communication plan, and if you haven’t already:
  • Arrange housing
  • Get familiar with transportation, healthcare and everyday essentials

Fixed Period of Admission Rule: J-1 Scholar Impact

International J-1 Scholars (J-1 Visa Holders with DS-2019s indicating Specialist, Short-Term Scholar, Research Scholar, Specialist or “Student Intern”)

The Fixed Period of Admission rule also impacts J-1 scholars – namely, J visa holders whose DS-2019s indicate a category of program other than “student”. Purdue’s J scholars include Short-Term Scholars, “Student Interns” (note – this is not the same as a ‘student’), Specialists, Research Scholars, and Professors.

In general, beginning September 15, 2026, Scholars must manage two dates:

• I-94 arrival record “Admit Until Date” (“AUD”): this controls how long you may stay in the U.S.
• DS-2019 Box 3 End Date: this controls how long you may engage in professional activities in the U.S.

Scholars must keep both dates roughly synchronized, to ensure they are allowed to continue to “stay” in the U.S. and engage in professional activities.

That means that date changes will require two actions by Scholars, as explained further below: (a) a request to International Student Services to extend the DS-2019 Box 3 end date, and then (b) a request to the U.S. government to extend the “Admit Until Date” (“AUD”). More details are provided below.

How Entry Into The U.S. Will Impact “Admit Until Dates”

Q1: I am in the United States now, or entering/reentering before September 15.; My I-94 arrival record has or will have “D/S”. What is my Admit Until Date (AUD)?

A1: Scholars who have “D/S” on their I-94 arrival record may stay in the U.S. for the shorter of:

• The Box 3 end date of your DS-2019, OR
• 4 years

Q2: I will enter (or re-enter following travel abroad) into the United States on or after September 15, 2026. How will the new rule impact my stay at Purdue?

A2: Under the new rule, if you enter the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will assign you a strict calendar date known as a fixed “Admit Until Date” (“AUD”). Your “stay” in the U.S. will end on the earlier of

• The Box 3 end date of your DS-2019, OR
• If your DS-2019 Box 3 dates represent a period that is longer than 4 years, a maximum of four (4) years, plus a 30-day “grace” period.

Q3: What should I do immediately after reentering the U.S.?

A3: You must check the official CBP I-94/I-95 portal within 24 hours of every entry to retrieve and review your electronic Form I-94. If the “Admit Until Date” (AUD) does not align with your I-20 or DS-2019 timeline (plus the 30-day grace period), contact ISS immediately to request a CBP Deferred Inspection correction. Leaving an incorrect AUD uncorrected on your I-94 could cause you to automatically accrue severe unlawful presence penalties.

Q4: Does my grace period change with the new rule?

A4: No.

In addition to the time during which you can engage in your professional activities, as outlined above, all J-1 scholars (and their J-2 dependents) receive a 30-day grace period. Day 1 of this grace period begins the day after the Box 3 End Date on your DS-2019; the grace period ends at midnight on Day 30. The grace period is intended to facilitate winding up your stay and sightseeing prior to departing for your home country. Professional activities (regardless of whether they are paid or unpaid) are not permitted during the grace period.

Program Extensions

Q5: I want to extend my DS-2019 before September 15, 2026, when this rule takes effect, just in case. How do I request this?

A5: The process by which J-1 scholars may extend their DS-2019 before the rule takes effect will depend on the scholar’s situation at Purdue.

• The host academic unit (not the scholar) must submit a fully completed, signed intake request to International Scholar Services for extension of the Form DS-2019. Please see our website for instructions about how to submit requests. Note that:
  • Purdue and Department of State policies limit the total duration of certain appointment categories. Extensions beyond policy limits are not permitted.
  • All J extensions must be accompanied by documentation of health insurance for the requested extension or 12 months, whichever is shorter.
• If the request is approved, our office will issue a new Form DS-2019 with updated Box 3 end date for the scholar’s program activities.

Q6: May I request an extension of my DS-2019 before September 15, even if my host/hiring department does not support this?

A6: Maybe. Depending on the specific situation of the scholar and host/hiring unit, it might be possible for the scholar to convert to a self-funded visiting appointment for a pre-set, temporary period. Please reach out to intlscholars@purdue.edu to discuss. Note, though, that even in this circumstance, evidence of health insurance will be needed, as this is a regulatory requirement that cannot be waived.

Q7: How will I extend my stay in the United States after September 15, 2026?

A7: After September 15, 2026, extending your DS-2019 is not enough by itself – you also must apply to the government to extend your fixed “Admit Until Date” (“AUD”). To do this, follow these steps:

• Step 1: The host academic unit (not the scholar) must submit a fully completed, signed intake request to International Scholar Services for extension of the Form DS-2019. Please see our website for instructions about how to submit requests. Note that:
  • Purdue and Dept of State policies limit the total duration of certain appointment categories. Extensions beyond policy limits are not permitted.
  • All J extensions must be accompanied by documentation of health insurance for the requested extension or twelve months, whichever is shorter.
  • If the request is approved, our office will issue a new Form DS-2019 with an updated Box 3 end date for the scholar’s program activities.
• Step 2: The scholar must then submit Form I-539 application accompanied by the new DS-2019 to USCIS to request the extension of their period of admission.
  • If the application for extension is timely received by USCIS, the scholar is authorized to continue participating in the J-1 program activities.
  • If the timely filed I-539 is received by USCIS on or before March 18, 2027, the scholar may continue to engage in their activities until the new end date of the DS-2019.
  • After this 6-month transition period (ending March 18, 2027), timely filed I-539s authorize scholars to continue engaging in program activities for up to 240 days while the application is pending.

Q8: How will I transfer to another institution after this new rule takes effect on September 15, 2026?

A8: There are two scenarios in which a scholar transfer might be desired. Complete information is not yet available from USCIS on the required procedures:

• Scenario 1: Transfer to another U.S. institution with an accompanying request for an extension of the DS-2019 Box 3 end date.
  • These situations may require both issuance of a new DS-2019 and submission of a Form I-539 to the USCIS. The exact mechanism for how this might occur is not clear within the rule. Further clarification will likely be available when the government’s SEVIS system is updated.
• Scenario 2: Transfer to another U.S. institution during the Box 3 start and end dates that are already listed on your DS-2019. (In other words, transfers where an extension of your DS-2019 is not required).
  • These situations may only require issuance of a new DS-2019 by the new, receiving host institution. However, the exact mechanism for how transfers will occur for scholars is not clear within the rule. Further clarification likely will be available when the government’s SEVIS system is updated.

Note: the rules and procedures for scholar program transfers are different from those for student programs. Scholars have Box 4 categories on their DS-2019 of Short-Term Scholar, Research Scholar, Professor, Specialist or “Student Intern”.

Q9: My I-94 arrival record shows “D/S” (Duration of Status). May I remain in the United States throughout the program dates listed in Box 3 of my Form DS-2019 without departing? I.e. am I safe from ever needing to file Form I-539 with USCIS (as discussed in Q7)?

A9: Not necessarily. Once this new rule is effective, you cannot “stay” continuously in the US for more than 4 years at a time without approval from the U.S. government, even if your DS-2019 is valid for a longer period.

• If your DS-2019 Box 3 start date is on September 14, 2026 (the rule’s effective date):
  • You may “stay” in the U.S. through the earlier of
    • Your DS-2019 Box 3 end date, or
    • September 14, 2030.
  • You must obtain U.S. government approval for a “stay” in the US that goes beyond September 14, 2030, either by
    • Departing the U.S. and re-entering, or
    • Filing a Form I-539 Application with USCIS
• If your DS-2019 Box 3 start date is on or after September 15, 2026:
  • You may “stay” in the U.S. through the earlier of
    • Your DS-2019 Box 3 end date, or
    • 4 years from your DS-2019 Box 3 start date.
  • You must obtain U.S. government approval to extend your stay (either by changing the DS-2019 Box 3 end date, or to remain in the US for more than 4 years from your DS-2019 Box 3 start date). You do this by either:
    • Departing the U.S. and re-entering, or
    • Filing a Form I-539 Application with the USCIS

Need Help?

The Office of International Programs and Partnerships (IPP) is here for you throughout your stay at PNW, offering support, guidance and opportunities for professional and cultural enrichment.

Ramesh Neupane, Ph.D.

Director of International Programs and Partnerships

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rneupan@pnw.edu

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