DOS Proposed Rulemaking on Exchange Visitor Extension and Reinstatement Regulations
On March 10, 2026 the Department of State (DOS) sent a proposed rule package to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The package, entitled Exchange Visitor Rules: Records, has been included in every regulatory agenda since Spring, 2021. The abstract from the latest (Spring 2025) agenda reads:
"The Department of State tracks the program status, including geographic location, of exchange visitors in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This proposed rule seeks to replace 22 CFR 62.43 (Extension of program) and 62.45 (Reinstatement to valid program status) in its entirety to reflect the current functionality of SEVIS. It sets forth the circumstances when a sponsor may update SEVIS records to extend within the maximum duration of the category, correct minor or technical infractions, when sponsors may request that the Department of State extend or reinstate visitors' SEVIS records to valid program status, or when extensions or reinstatements are not possible."
These two provisions are contained in Subpart C of the Exchange Visitor regulations. For reference, here are the current versions of the regulations the regulatory agenda abstract says DOS seeks to revise:
No further details on the proposed language are available at this time. For example, we do not know if the proposed revisions would also address the expected changes to "duration of status" proposed by DHS (see NAFSA's page on that proposed rule), or whether the DOS proposal is only technical (i.e., rewriting to update pre-SEVIS language to the SEVIS environment) or also substantive (e.g., modifying the conditions of eligibility for extension of stay, reinstatement, and correct the record).
After OMB completes its review and returns the package to DOS, a proposed rule would be published in the Federal Register, giving the public a period of time to comment. Stay tuned to this page for any updates.