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米国国土安全保障省（DHS）は、留学生（F）・研究者/研修生等の交流訪問者（J）・外国報道機関の代表者（I）ビザに関する在留形態を改める最終規則（Final Rule）を2026年7月17日付でFederal Register（連邦官報）に掲載しました。

同規則は、公示日から60日後にあたる2026年9月15日より発効する予定です。

これまで、これら3つの在留資格（F・J・I）は、いずれも「Duration of Status（D/S、在留活動継続期間）」という枠組みで運用されてきました。D/Sとは、入国時に「〇年〇月〇日まで」といった具体的な在留期限が付与されず、対象となる活動を継続している限り、合法的に米国内に滞在できるという仕組みです。今回の新規則により、これら3資格についても、他の主要な就労系ビザと同様に、入国時に具体的な在留期限（終了日）が定められる方式へと変更されます。

本稿では、このうちIビザ保有者に絞ってご案内します。

■ 制度改正の概要（Iビザ）

現行制度では、Iビザ保有者は上記D/Sの枠組みのもと、取材・報道業務を継続している限り、明確な在留期限なく滞在することが可能でした。新規則の発効後は、入国時に具体的な在留期限が付与される仕組みへと変更されます。

■ 新制度下におけるIビザの主な取扱い

1. 在留期間の上限:最長240日

新規則発効後の新規入国または再入国の際、Iビザでの承認在留期間は、活動・任務の完了に必要な期間、かつ最長240日となります。240日を超えて滞在を継続する場合は、下記2のExtension of Stay（以下「EOS」）申請、または一旦出国のうえ再入国が必要となります。

2. EOS（在留期間延長）申請の要件化

現行制度下ではDHSへの都度の申請は原則不要でしたが、施行後は、承認された在留期間を超えて滞在を継続する場合、以下のいずれかの方法で在留期間を延長する必要があります。

• 米国内延長申請:米国内でUSCISに対しEOS申請を行う

• 出入国による延長:有効なIビザに基づき出入国を行う

1回のEOS/再入国で認められる延長期間も、同様に最長240日です。

扶養家族の在留資格は主たる就労者の資格に基づくため、扶養家族についても同様のルールが適用され、主たる就労者と同時にEOSまたは出入国を行う必要があります。

※ 現行の在留期間の満了前にEOS申請を提出した場合、審査中も引き続き最長240日間は就労を継続できます。ただし、その240日を経過してもEOSが承認されない場合、在留自体は引き続き認められますが、就労は承認が下りるまで停止する必要があります。

【注意】EOS申請のリスクについて

EOS申請の審査が240日以内に完了しない可能性もあります。その場合でも、1回目のEOS申請で申請した在留期間（Requested Period）内に2回目のEOS申請を重ねて提出していれば、米国内での在留自体は継続できます。ただし、当初のEOS申請が承認されるまでは、就労を停止する必要があります。

EOS申請における最大のリスクは、現行の在留資格（I-94）の満了後にEOS申請が却下されるケースです。万が一却下となった場合、却下日以降は不法滞在となり、滞在を続ける間も不法滞在日数が蓄積されるため、原則として速やかに出国する必要があります。したがって、EOS申請という手続き自体は利用可能ですが、可能な限り、出入国によってI-94が有効な状態を維持する方が安全です。

■ 経過措置（現在Iビザで滞在中の場合）

新規則発効日（2026年9月15日）時点で、既にD/Sで入国し適切に在留を維持しているIビザ保有者は、取材・報道活動の完了に必要な期間（発効日から最長240日）まで、引き続き米国内での滞在が認められます。当該期間を超えて滞在を継続する場合は、上記のEOS申請または出入国が必要となります。なお、発効日以降に一度出国し再入国した場合は、再入国時に期限付きの在留期限（I-94）が付与されます。

※ 本稿は一般的な情報提供を目的とした速報的なまとめであり、法的助言を目的とするものではありません。個別の対応にあたっては、専門家にご相談ください。

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published in the Federal Register, on July 17, 2026, a Final Rule revising the period-of-stay framework for the F (academic student), J (exchange visitor—e.g., researchers, trainees), and I (representative of foreign information media) visa classifications.

The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, 60 days after the date of publication.

To date, these three classifications (F, J, and I) have all been administered under the "Duration of Status" (D/S) framework. Under D/S, a nonimmigrant is not assigned a specific admit-until date (e.g., "valid until [month/day/year]") at the time of admission; rather, the nonimmigrant may lawfully remain in the United States for as long as he or she continues the activity for which admission was granted. Under the new rule, these three classifications—like other principal employment-based classifications—will instead be admitted for a fixed time period of admission with a specific end date established at the time of admission.

This article focuses on holders of the I visa.

■ Overview of the Regulatory Change (I Visa)

Under the current framework, an I nonimmigrant may remain in the United States under the D/S framework described above—without a fixed period of stay—for as long as he or she continues to engage in newsgathering and reporting activities. After the new rule takes effect, I nonimmigrants will be admitted for a specific period of stay established at the time of admission.

■ Key Treatment of the I Classification Under the New Rule

1. Maximum Period of Admission: Up to 240 Days

Upon a new admission or a readmission on or after the effective date of the new rule, an I nonimmigrant will be admitted for the period of time necessary to complete the planned activities or assignments, not to exceed 240 days. To remain beyond 240 days, the nonimmigrant must either file an Extension of Stay ("EOS") application as described in Section 2 below, or depart and be readmitted.

(Relevant regulatory text)

(3) Admission —(i) Length of admission. Generally, aliens seeking admission in I nonimmigrant status may be admitted for a period of time necessary to complete the planned activities or assignments consistent with the I classification, not to exceed 240 days unless paragraph (i)(3)(ii) of this section applies.

2. Extension of Stay (EOS) Now Required

Under the current framework, a separate application to DHS was generally not required on each occasion. After the rule takes effect, however, to continue to remain beyond the authorized period of stay, an I nonimmigrant must extend the period of stay by one of the following methods:

In-country extension: 

• File an EOS application with USCIS within the United States.

• Extension through travel: Depart and be readmitted on a valid I visa.

Each EOS/readmission likewise authorizes a period of stay of up to 240 days.

Because a dependent's status is based on that of the principal, the same rules apply to dependents; a dependent must file an EOS or depart and reenter at the same time as the principal.

Note: If an EOS application is filed before the current period of stay expires, the nonimmigrant may continue to work for up to 240 days while the application is pending. However, if the application remains pending beyond that 240-day period, the nonimmigrant may continue to remain in the United States, but must stop working until the application is approved.

EOS Application Risks

Given adjudication delays, it is possible that adjudication of an EOS application will not be completed within 240 days. Even in that case, if a second EOS application is filed—overlapping with the first—within the period requested in the first EOS application (Requested Period), the nonimmigrant may continue to remain in the United States. However, the nonimmigrant must stop working until the initial EOS application is approved.

The greatest risk of an EOS application is a denial issued after the current period of authorized stay has already expired. If the application is denied, the nonimmigrant begins to accrue unlawful presence from the date of denial, and unlawful presence continues to accumulate for as long as he or she remains; the nonimmigrant should therefore depart promptly. Accordingly, while filing an EOS is an available procedure, it is generally safer, where possible, to maintain a valid I-94 through travel (departure and readmission).

■ Transition Provisions (For Those Currently in the United States in I Status)

An I nonimmigrant who was admitted for D/S and is properly maintaining status as of the effective date of the new rule (September 15, 2026) will be authorized to remain in the United States for the period necessary to complete his or her newsgathering and reporting activities—not to exceed 240 days from the effective date. To remain beyond that period, the nonimmigrant must file an EOS application or depart and reenter, as described above. If the nonimmigrant departs and is readmitted on or after the effective date, he or she will be issued a date-specific period of admission (I-94) upon readmission.

Note: This article is a preliminary summary provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Please consult a professional regarding your specific circumstances.

出典／Sources 

Federal Register :: Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media