Elimination of Duration of Status – FAQs for Students & Scholars (F/J)

On Friday, July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a Final Rule to end the current policy known as “duration of status” (D/S) for nonimmigrants in F and J status. The D/S framework permits international students and scholars to enter the United States for a non-fixed period of time, allowing broad flexibility for extensions to academic programs or research, pursuit of subsequent degree programs or transfers between institutions, and the pursuit of work authorization (OPT or Academic Training) for students who have completed their degrees. The final rule replaces “duration of status” admissions to the United States with fixed entry dates, imposes a formal process with United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend authorized stay, and introduces academic restrictions and shortened F-1 grace periods.    

The final rule is set to go into effect on September 15, 2026*

Note: Implementation or legal challenges could modify this date or delay some parts of the rule from going into effect.

Students and scholars in F/J status do not need to take any immediate action. However, we recommend taking the following steps ahead of September 15:

• Review the information on this page and communications sent by the International Center.
• Review your I-20 or DS-2019 end date. If you anticipate that you will need an extension to complete your program or research, speak to your I-Center Advisor to determine whether you are eligible for an extension before the final rule takes effect.

When a nonimmigrant arrives at a U.S. port of entry, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer determines how long the traveler is permitted to stay in the U.S. and records this information in an electronic record called a Form I-94.  The I-94 is different from the F-1 or J-1 visa in your passport, which is only used for entry or re-entry to the U.S. and does not determine your authorized length of stay.  

Under current rules (before September 15, 2026), international students and scholars are given an end date of “D/S.” This “D/S” stands for “duration of status,” and means that you are permitted to remain in the U.S. for as long as you are maintaining your status and hold a valid I-20 or DS-2019 document. You work directly with the I-Center to shorten or extend your document, and you are permitted to transfer schools or begin a new program in the U.S. without needing to leave or submit an application to the U.S. government to extend your legal status.  

Starting September 15, 2026, Customs and Border Protection will begin issuing I-94s with set end dates. If you travel into the United States at any point on or after September 15, 2026, your I-94 will show a specific date known as an “Admit Until Date” (AUD). This date will be based on your I-20/DS-2019 end date plus a 30-day grace period (reduced from previous 60-day grace period for F-1 students). However, the Admit Until Date cannot be issued for more than four years from the date of entry. You are still permitted to receive an I-20 or DS-2019 and subsequently pursue an academic or research program longer than four years. However, if you need more time than your AUD due to your program’s length, necessary program or research extensions, work authorization like OPT, or to begin a new program at a higher degree level, you will need to: 

1. Travel and re-enter the U.S. to get a new Admit Until Date OR 

1. Apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) through United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).  

The exact processes related to these options require guidance from government agencies. The International Center will provide updated information as it becomes available.  

Grace periods for F-1 students will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days for students who enter or re-enter the U.S. after September 15, 2026.* The J-1 30-day grace period will remain the same.  

*Please see Transition Rules section 

Aside from imposing a fixed admission period and shortening the F-1 grace period to 30 days, the new rule also introduces restrictions related to changing programs, academic levels, and transferring to a new institution.  

Limits on transfers and program changes: The final rule limits students’ ability to change their “educational objective” while studying in the U.S. These educational objectives include major and academic level.  

• F-1 students below graduate level may not transfer to another school, change majors, or change educational level (e.g., bachelors to masters) within the first year* of studies without a government-issued exception. Transfers and educational changes beyond this date may be limited for students who are on academic probation, suspension, or who have otherwise not made satisfactory academic progress as determined by USCIS.  
• F-1 graduate students may not transfer to another school, change programs, or change educational level at all prior to completing educational objectives for the program for which their I-20 was issued.  

*While government clarification is needed, it is assumed that this refers to an academic year (one fall and one spring semester) rather than a calendar year.  

Rules on repeating degree levels: The final rule states that F-1 students may not pursue a second degree at the same or lower academic level as the one previously pursued (e.g., Master's to second Master’s OR PhD to Master’s). DHS has clarified that this restriction applies only to programs completed after the rule’s effective date; programs completed prior to September 15, 2026 do not count towards this rule.  

Students who apply for OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students) will need to submit an Extension of Stay via Form I-539 (fee required) to acquire a new AUD covering the work authorization period.* 

If a student needs to file an extension of stay with USCIS, on-campus employment and off-campus authorization for severe economic hardship will receive an automatic extension of employment authorization for up to 240 days while the application is pending. CPT employment will also be automatically extended up to 240 days or up to the end date authorized by the International Center while a timely filed extension is pending.  

*Please refer to the Transition Rules section regarding transition provisions for applying for OPT. 

Non-student J-1 exchange visitors (including short-term scholars, researchers, professors, and student interns) entering or re-entering  the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 will be admitted for a fixed period of admission. However, existing eligibility requirements, program objective considerations, and category-specific regulations remain the same.  

J-1 Scholars who enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) which will determine an exchange visitor's authorized period of admission. If additional time is needed beyond that date, the exchange visitor generally must obtain another lawful period of authorized stay before the current admission expires, through either:  

1. A) Travel and re-entry the U.S. to get a new Admit Until Date.
2. B) Application for an Extension of Stay (EOS) through United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).

The final rule does not change the maximum program durations established by the Exchange Visitor Program regulations. For example, a J-1 research scholar or professor may still be in the category for up to five years. However, J-1 exchange visitors whose programs or appointments extend beyond their Admit Until Date as determined by Customs and Border Protection will be required to apply for an extension of stay. 

Since Admit Until Dates (AUD) are usually determined by DS-2019 end date and many scholars are on renewable one-year contracts, DHS has stated that they will create a new process so that scholars are not required to file yearly extensions of stay with the government. However, the details of this process are pending further agency guidance.  

Like F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, F-2 and J-2 dependents entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026 will be admitted for a fixed period of admission rather than Duration of Status (D/S). Their I-94 will include an Admit Until Date (AUD) establishing how long they are authorized to remain in the United States. 

If the F-1 or J-1 principal needs to extend their authorized stay beyond their current Admit Until Date, any dependents will generally also need to obtain an additional period of stay. Dependents may be included in the same extension of stay application as the principal applicant. Each family member should always individually review their I-94/AUD after travel, regardless of traveling together or separately.  

Transition rules apply to current F-1/J-1 students, alumni, and J-1 scholars who are in the U.S. with Duration of Status (D/S) noted on their Form I-94 before September 15, 2026. Please note that these transition rules no longer apply if you leave the U.S. and re-enter on or after September 15.  During the transition period:  

• Your Form I-94 will continue to show “D/S” (Duration of Status) rather than a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD).  

• F-1 students retain their 60-day grace period.  

• You may continue in your current academic program/academic activities in the U.S. until:  

• Your current I-20/DS-2019 end date (up to a maximum of 4 years) plus the applicable grace period or  

• Your current OPT/STEM OPT EAD expiration date plus the applicable grace period  

• F-1 students/alumni who remain in the U.S. under transition provisions and who apply for OPT/STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, will not be required to submit an EOS application to USCIS in addition to their OPT petition.  

The International Center will continue to monitor legal analyses of the final rule and provide updates and continued guidance via this page and email communications. Students and scholars with general questions about the rule should contact their I-Center Advisor. The International Center will also provide additional resources and guides ahead of the September 15 implementation date. We will also host a community Town Hall (for F/J students, alumni, and scholars) on Monday, August 10th from 9:00am EST to 10:30am EST. Zoom registration link will be sent via email.