Exchange Visitor Program-Termination of Program Participation, Extension of…
July 30, 2026 6:10am
The Department of State's (Department's) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the Exchange Visitor Program, as set forth at 22 CFR part 62, wh...
The Department of State's (Department's) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the Exchange Visitor Program, as set forth at 22 CFR part 62, wherein exchange visitors on educational and cultural exchange programs travel to the United States in the J visa category. The Department tracks the status and geographic location of exchange visitors through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a database administered by the Department of Homeland Security.
5-Second Takeaway
The Department of State's (Department's) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the Exchange Visitor Program, as set forth at 22 CFR part 62, wherein exchange visitors on educational and cultural exchange programs travel to the United States in the J visa category.
Why This Matters
The Department tracks the status and geographic location of exchange visitors through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a database administered by the Department of Homeland Security.
What Changed
- This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Proposed Rule) seeks to clarify the conditions under which a sponsor must terminate an exchange visitor's program and authorizes the Department, in its discretion, to terminate an exchange visitor's program in limited circumstances; modifies Extension of Program and Reinstatement to valid program status in their entirety by eliminating outdated requirements and introducing updated procedures that make use of current SEVIS functionality; amends Definitions to include definitions for "Unauthorized Employment" and "Valid Program Status"; and rescinds the separate extension of program provision for au pairs.
- The official abstract outlines the main policy action and its scope.
- The summary describes who is affected and the expected compliance path.
- The notice explains timing and implementation details for the change.
- The agency provides rationale and procedural context in the full text.
- Federal Register document: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/30/2026-15450/exchange-visitor-program-termination-of-program-participation-extension-of-program-and-reinstatement
- Federal Register home: https://www.federalregister.gov/
Key Facts
- This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Proposed Rule) seeks to clarify the conditions under which a sponsor must terminate an exchange visitor's program and authorizes the Department, in its discretion, to terminate an exchange visitor's program in limited circumstances; modifies Extension of Program and Reinstatement to valid program status in their entirety by eliminating outdated requirements and introducing updated procedures that make use of current SEVIS functionality; amends Definitions to include definitions for "Unauthorized Employment" and "Valid Program Status"; and rescinds the separate extension of program provision for au pairs.
- The official abstract outlines the main policy action and its scope.
- The summary describes who is affected and the expected compliance path.
- The notice explains timing and implementation details for the change.
Key Numbers
- Federal Register document: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/30/2026-15450/exchange-visitor-program-termination-of-program-participation-extension-of-program-and-reinstatement