The Department of State recently announced in The Federal Register that it has amended its regulations and has now extended the duration for those involved in the Exchange Visitor Program.  Professor and researcher participants in the program are now permitted to stay for five years, up from three from the previous regulation.  

In addition to the extension, the amended rule also established eligibility requirements for repeat participation as a professor or researcher in the Exchange Visitor Program following a two-year bar.  Implementation of these changes was delayed until the Department of Homeland Security could complete modifications to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) necessary to permit these changes to be reflected in SEVIS.   

The rule also established a new "G-7" administrative classification for certain program sponsors.  The Department will contact directly those sponsors eligible for the classification.  No action is necessary on the part of existing sponsors.  

The Department announced its ability to facilitate these changes effective November 4, 2006.