State Department Announces Extension of Post-Degree STEM J-1 Academic Training Eligibility for Undergraduate and Pre-Doctoral Degree Programs to June 30, 2026.

In an email to J Exchange Visitor Visa Program Sponsors on September 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of State has extended the post-degree J-1 Academic Training STEM Extension until June 30, 2026 for students who have just completed their undergraduate or pre-doctoral degree program in J-1 status. This extends the original period of the program established on January 21, 2022 (see ISO news article here).

The State Department announcement is as follows:

As part of the BridgeUSA STEM initiative launched in support of the 2021 Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education, the Academic Training STEM Extension incentivizes more STEM-focused exchanges in the United States.

Under 22 CFR 62.23, undergraduate and pre-doctoral students in the College and University Student category of the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) may only be authorized for a maximum of 18 months of academic training. The Academic Training STEM Extension temporarily allows eligible exchange visitors an additional 18 months of academic training for a total of 36 months (or a length equivalent to the full course of study in the United States, whichever is less).

Eligibility requirements include:

Sponsors seeking academic training extensions must secure prior written approval by submitting extension requests through the Private Sector’s Office of Designation via AGexchanges@state.gov.  There is no specific deadline for filing extensions, but extension requests must be for programs with an end date on or before June 30, 2026.   Sponsors seeking Department approval of STEM academictraining extension requests must comply with 22 CFR § 62.43(c).
Sponsors may request STEM-related academic training for up to 36 months for College and University students pursuing STEM undergraduate or pre-doctoral degrees and recent graduates who seek to commence academic trainingno later than 30 days after completion of their STEM-related studies.
As part of the required written justification, sponsors should indicate the STEM field and corresponding Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code relating to the subject-matter of the extension.  A complete list of STEM field CIP codes for which exchange students are eligible to apply for the extension is included in the Department of Homeland Security’s STEMDesignated Degree Program List at the following address: https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/stem-list.pdf
Eligible exchange visitors must be undergraduate or pre-doctoral (e.g., bachelor’s or master’s) degree-seeking J-1 College and University Students who are pursuing or recently completed STEM-related studies. Post-doctoral exchange visitors are not eligible for the extension as they are already eligible for academic training of up to 36 months. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to apply. The maximum total length of their academictraining is capped at 36 months, but the amount of academic training cannot exceed the length of the exchange visitor’s program. 
While participating in these extensions, exchange students must continue to meet the requirements of 22 CFR §62.23(f), including but not limited to, being primarily in the United States to study, pursuing training that is directly related to their major field of study, and either engaging in a full course of study or commencing with their academic training within 30 days after completion of their related studies.

If you have any questions, please contact your ISO Advisor.