ISSO Scholar Communiqué – August 2026
Greetings from the ISSO!
New and Improved ISSO Website Launched
We are thrilled to unveil our completely redesigned ISSO website. It comes with more intuitive navigation, mobile-first design and expanded resources built specifically for administrators and the international scholar/employee community.
Our new section for administrators and hosting faculty is packed with trending topics and practical guidance. You will find sections dedicated to supporting international scholars and employees as follows:
- Immigration Sponsorship Overview – Everything you need to know about immigration options, roles and requirements for supporting research, teaching and employment at BU
- Actions Required to Host Scholars & Employees – Includes step-by-step guidance on action items related to hosting international scholars and employees from start to finish. Here, you can find a quick guide to onboarding and immigration sponsorship if you aren’t sure where to begin.
We’ve also created an entirely new section with comprehensive resources tailored to support internationals scholars and employees throughout their appointment at BU – from arrival to their ongoing research, teaching and other employment at BU.
Contact us if you have questions or can’t find the information you need.
New USDHS Rule Eliminates J-1 and F-1 Duration of Status (D/S)
Starting September 15, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security is replacing “duration of status” (D/S) on the I-94 arrival record with fixed expiration dates for J-1 exchange visitors, F-1 students and/or employees on OPT and their qualifying dependents in J-2 or F-2 status. The “admit until date” (AUD) will be based on the end date noted on the DS-2019 or I-20, much like many other immigration categories already do. We anticipate that there could be legal challenges that may impact or delay implementation and will be monitoring this closely. Please check our website regularly for the most up-to-date information about this new rule.
The new rule requires J-1 exchange visitors (and any J-2 dependents) to take additional steps to remain in the U.S. when their BU appointment is extended. Once implemented, J-1 scholars and employees will need to pay close attention to their expiration dates and will need to take action via either a formal application to USCIS from inside the U.S. or via travel outside the U.S. to extend their authorized period of stay in the U.S.
Important for host departments: Advance planning will be critical given the additional actions that J-1 scholars and employees will be required to take to extend their J program and stay in the U.S. If you are hosting a J-1 scholar whose appointment is ending soon and who qualifies for additional extensions (usually up to 5 years), you can lock in an extension under the current rules to allow for limited D/S transition accommodation should all the following apply:
- J-1 status/BU appointment ending between now and May 2027
- J-1 qualifies for additional extensions (usually up to 5 years)
- There is adequate funding to support the continued appointment either through BU salary or verification of outside funding (for Visiting Researchers and Students).
- ISSO receives completed extension request no later than 9/2/2026.
We will continue to update our website as USCIS provides further guidance before and after implementation. We encourage you to register for an upcoming Town Hall on August 18 (1pm) and/or September 23 (4 pm) to learn more. We have already reached out to all J-1 scholars/employees and are hosting a J-1 scholar specific information session on August 10 (2 pm). Interested administrators/faculty are welcome to attend.
ISSO Scholar Services remains committed to advising and assisting our international scholar community. We appreciate your continued support.