U.S. to Tighten Exchange Visitor Program Rules on Termination, Extensions and Reinstatements

The State Department is proposing major changes to the Exchange Visitor Program that would expand the grounds for terminating J-1 participants, tighten extension deadlines and overhaul the process for restoring records to valid program status.

The proposal, published Thursday in the Federal Register, would also create new definitions for “unauthorized employment” and “valid program status” and eliminate a separate extension rule for au pairs.

Under the proposed rule, sponsors would be required to terminate an exchange visitor’s participation if the participant fails to pursue the approved activity, cannot continue in the program, violates sponsor rules, lacks required insurance or falsifies information in the application or during the program. The department also would gain authority to terminate participation if a visa is revoked or canceled, if the participant works without authorization, or if the participant provides false information.

The department said the changes are intended to improve program integrity, protect participants and support national security. Exchange visitors would be able to file a written statement opposing certain termination decisions within 10 business days.

The proposal would update the rules for extending exchange visitor programs by tying them more closely to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, or SEVIS. Sponsors could continue to extend programs within the maximum length allowed for each category, but requests to go beyond the maximum would have to be filed through SEVIS and supported by documents sent to the department at least three months before the new extension period begins.

For au pairs, the proposal would remove the current separate extension provision and place them under the general extension rules.

The department also would revise the process for restoring an exchange visitor’s record to valid program status. Sponsors would generally have 30 days to fix SEVIS records using a “Correct SEVIS Status” action for errors caused by oversight, inadvertence or circumstances beyond their control.

If that deadline is missed, sponsors would have to seek formal reinstatement. The department said it would consider reinstatement to active status if the request is filed within the time allowed under DHS policy, currently five months, or later in exceptional circumstances.

The proposal would bar reinstatement to active status in certain cases, including unauthorized employment, involuntary termination by a sponsor, failure to maintain insurance or a change to another immigration status.

The State Department will accept public comments for 60 days from July 30, 2026. Comments may be submitted at regulations.gov under Docket ID DOS-2026-0859 or by email to JExchanges@state.gov, with RIN 1400-AF23 in the subject line.