Beginning September 15, 2026, most F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents will no longer be admitted to the United States for Duration of Status (D/S). Instead, they will generally receive a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94 that establishes how long they are authorized to remain in the United States. The rule changes how long individuals are admitted to the United States, but it does not change the eligibility requirements for F-1 or J-1 status, the length of academic programs, or the university's ability to sponsor students.

This is one of the most significant changes to student and exchange visitor immigration rules in more than three decades. ISS is reviewing the rule in full and will update this page as federal agencies issue additional guidance. This page reflects our current understanding as of the date above. 

F or J nonimmigrants who need to remain in the U.S. beyond their Admit Until Date must obtain either a USCIS-approved Extension of Stay or a new period of admission through international travel and re-entry. The process begins with the DSO or ARO, who reviews the request and, if eligible, issues an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019 reflecting the recommended program extension.

With that recommendation in hand, the F-1 or J-1 student along with any F-2 or J-2 dependents, must timely file Form I-539 with USCIS to request an Extension of Stay before their current Admit Until Date expires. USCIS, not the DSO or ARO, makes the final decision on the application.

Under existing regulations, F-1 students are provided 60 days following the completion of their studies and any practical training to prepare for departure from the United States. The final rule reduces this F-1 post-completion grace period to 30 days, the same post-completion period that J exchange visitors currently have.

DHS introduced a new regulatory concept of “educational objectives," which it generally defines as "majors or educational levels," and locates this new concept in the same paragraph governing school transfers. DHS has set limits to changes in educational objectives in ways that differ for graduate students and undergraduate students.

Undergraduate students must complete the first academic year of their program of study at the school that initially issued their Form I-20 before changing their major or transferring schools, unless an exception is authorized by SEVP for "extenuating circumstances."  (Extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to, a school closure or a school's prolonged inability to hold in-person classes due to a natural disaster, or other cause.)

At the graduate level the rule prohibits change of educational objectives "at any point during their program of study," but may allow a school transfer if SEVP authorizes an exception for "extenuating circumstances" in advance of the transfer.

F-1 students who complete a program after September 15, 2026 are barred from starting another at the same or a lower educational level.