We know that international students and scholars may have a lot of questions about regulatory changes to Duration of Status for individuals in F and J status and about changes to F-1 student academic mobility. Here’s what we know so far, what it means for you, and how International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can support you.
We are updating our other webpages to reflect these regulatory changes. That process is still underway. In the meantime, this page is the most current and accurate source of information. If other pages on our site conflict with what’s here, this page takes precedence. If you’re unsure how the rule affects you, attend an information session and direct any remaining questions to ISSS before taking any action.
For the last several decades, and set to end on Sept. 15, 2026, F-1 and J-1 students and scholars and their F-2/J-2 dependents have been admitted into the United States for Duration of Status (D/S). D/S allows an individual in F or J status to stay in the United States without a fixed expiration date as long as your I-20 or DS-2019 is valid and you are following the rules of your immigration status (i.e., "maintaining status"). A new DHS rule ends this. Instead, students and scholars will have a fixed date by which you must depart the U.S. or apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS).
Under the D/S framework, ISSS was able to extend an F or J nonimmigrant's period of valid stay and an application to a U.S. government agency was not necessary. As a result of this rule change, some students and scholars will need to apply for an Extension of Stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to remain past their Admit Until Date. Alternatively, they can depart the U.S. during their current admission period and make a new entry to obtain a new Admit Until Date.
Entry/re-entry into the U.S. on or after Sept. 15 will result in a 30-day grace period for F-1 students. F-1 students whose last date of entry into the U.S. was on or before Sept.14, 2026, will retain a 60-day grace period until/unless they extend their Admit Until Date via EOS or travel and re-entry, at which point their grace period will change to 30 days.
The grace period for J-1 Exchange Visitors is not changing and will remain 30 days.
The new rule introduces the following changes for F-1 students.
Under the new rule, undergraduate students will no longer be eligible to do the following in the first year of their program:
There may be exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
Under the new rule, graduate students will no longer be eligible to do the following at all during their program of study:
F-1 students completing a degree in the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, will not be eligible to begin a new program of study in the U.S. in F-1 status at the same education level or lower.
The rule is scheduled to take effect Sept. 15, 2026, but that date could change based on litigation or Congressional review under the Congressional Review Act. If the date changes, we will update this page.
Please direct students and scholars to this page and our information sessions rather than advising them directly on the rule. Contact ISSS with any compliance questions.
ISSS will be hosting Zoom sessions tailored to different groups, so you get guidance relevant to you. No immigration background is needed. We'll explain the key terms.
F & J Student Sessions
J-1 Scholar Sessions
Department, Faculty, and HR Sessions
As additional guidance becomes available, ISSS will host ongoing sessions to share updates and address general questions from the community. These sessions are open to all audiences.
F&J Student Sessions
J-1 Scholar Sessions
Departments, Faculty & HR Sessions
Session dates and topics will be updated as they are confirmed. Check back regularly for the most current schedule.
Questions specific to this rule: Please attend an information session first. It will answer most common questions. If you have remaining questions that are not answered by the information session, please contact ISSS. One-on-one appointments for rule-specific questions will be available after Aug. 24. If your situation is time-sensitive, note that when you request an appointment.
D/S has been the framework for determining how long F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors are authorized to stay in the U.S. Under the D/S framework, the length of authorized stay is based on whether the person continues to maintain the requirements of their immigration status—reflected on their I-20 or DS-2019—rather than a fixed calendar date. The new rule replaces D/S with a fixed date.
If your last entry into the U.S. was prior to Sept. 15, 2026, your I-94 will still have a D/S notation. If you were approved for a change of status to F or J prior to Sept. 15, 2026, your I-94 (found on your I-797 Approval Notice) will also still say D/S. notation. Please note that this new rule will still apply to you. You will have to calculate the end of your current authorized period of stay. To do this, first determine the end of your F/J program, which will be the EARLIER of the two following dates:
To this date, add a grace period (30 days for J-1 exchange visitors, 60* days for F-1 students). The end of the grace period marks the end of your authorized stay in the U.S.
*F-1 students whose last entry into the U.S. was prior to Sept. 15, 2026 will retain a 60-day grace period until/unless they receive a new Admit Until Date from applying for an Extension of Stay or from making a new entry into the U.S.
If you need more time in the U.S. beyond this period, you will have to do one of the following to obtain a new Admit Until Date:
It may. Please note that F-1 students completing a program of study on or after Sept. 15, 2026, will no longer be eligible to begin a new program of study in F-1 status at the same level or at a lower level. For example, an F-1 student completing a Master's degree in Fall 2026 will not be eligible to begin a new Master's degree in F-1 status.
Not necessarily. Your visa stamp allows you to request entry into the U.S.; it's separate from how long you're authorized to stay once you're here. A valid, unexpired visa is always required for entry into the U.S. Students and scholars can remain in the U.S. after their visa stamp expires, but need a new visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. after any international travel.
The I-94 is the document that indicates your status and how long you can remain in the U.S. Only students and scholars entering the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026 will receive a fixed Admit Until Date on their I-94. Students and scholars whose I-94 still indicates "D/S" should refer to the section above, entitled, "My current I-94 lists D/S. What happens to me?"
It has a scheduled effective date of Sept. 15, 2026, which could change based on litigation or Congressional review. If anything changes, we'll update this page right away.
It's the specific date by which you need to leave the U.S. or apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS if you need more time to complete your program. Staying past the specific date on your I-94 without an EOS can negatively affect your immigration status and your eligibility for future U.S. visas or immigration benefits.
Not necessarily. You have to either apply for an Extension of Stay or depart the U.S. by the end of your admission period. Here is how to understand your admission period:
Overstaying your authorized period can have serious immigration consequences. All students and scholars needing more time in the U.S. should either file for an Extension of Stay with USCIS by their Admit Until Date or depart the U.S. by their Admit Until Date and re-enter to obtain a new Admit Until Date.
Students and scholars filing an Extension of Stay application with USCIS should follow the instructions on the USCIS website: I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Yes. USCIS filing fees are subject to change. You can find the filing fee for the I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status on the USCIS Fee Schedule page.
If you filed a complete and timely application with USCIS, you will remain in valid status in the U.S. for as long as your application is pending.
Individuals in F and J status will be allowed to stay in the U.S. until their I-20/DS-2019 program end date, not to exceed four years, plus a grace period. The Admit Until Date will reflect this. This does not mean you need to complete your program by your AUD; it means that if you need more time past your AUD, you must apply for an Extension of Stay or depart and re-enter the U.S. to obtain a new AUD.
Yes. F-2 and J-2 status is tied to the primary visa holder’s program dates. A change to your I-94 is likely to affect your dependents' authorized stay as well. If you have dependents, they will also have to apply for an Extension of Stay or depart the U.S. by their Admit Until Date.
International travel during a period of regulatory change needs careful planning. If you do travel, keep in mind that entry/re-entry on or after Sept. 15, 2026 will result in an I-94 with a fixed Admit Until Date by which you must depart the U.S. or apply for an Extension of Stay. F-1 students entering the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026 will have their grace period shortened to 30 days.
Upon your return, you will be issued an I-94 with a fixed admission date by which you must depart the U.S. or apply for an Extension of Stay.
No. Your visa stamp and your authorized length of stay are separate. Your visa stamp allows you to request entry into the U.S., which is different from how long you are authorized to stay once you're here. To understand how long you are authorized to stay here, you must consult your I-94.
Not necessarily. The rule sets a maximum period of stay, but it doesn't require every degree to be finished in four years. This is especially relevant for PhD students, who often take five to seven years. Options exist to extend your stay so you can complete your program.
Certain types of employment (F-1 on-campus, J-1 on-campus, authorized F-1 CPT, authorized J-1 Academic Training) can continue for up to 240 days for students who filed a timely application for an Extension of Stay.
If you depart the U.S. before your current admission period expires and then re-enter, you will be issued a new Admit Until Date upon your re-entry and can immediately resume on-campus employment (F-1) or request authorization for on-campus employment (J-1).
The new rule introduces the following changes for F-1 students.
Under the new rule, undergraduate students will no longer be eligible to do the following in the first year of their program:
There may be exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
Under the new rule, graduate students will no longer be eligible to do the following at all during their program of study:
F-1 students completing a degree in the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, will not be eligible to begin a new program of study in the U.S. in F-1 status at the same education level or lower.
F-1 needing to work on-campus after their Admit Until Date must file a timely EOS application with USCIS to ensure their on-campus employment can continue while the application is pending. The new rule does not say that J-1 on-campus employment can continue while the EOS application is pending.
As an alternative to applying for an EOS, F-1 and J-1 students can depart and re-enter the U.S. to obtain a new Admit Until Date. Upon re-entry to the U.S., they should be eligible to resume employment.
This rule does not directly impact CPT. However, it does state that F-1 students with a timely filed EOS application may continue working on authorized CPT for up to 240 days while the EOS is pending.
Your OPT application will be impacted by your last date of entry into the U.S.
If your last entry was before Sept. 15, you can choose an OPT start date within the 60-day range following your I-20 end date, which is based on your official graduation date (or, for some PhD students, your dissertation defense date). USCIS must receive your application no later than 30 days from the date your OPT I-20 was issued and no later than 60 days from your I-20 program end date, whichever is earlier. Since the filing deadline is in the middle of the day, it is better to think that your deadline is 29 days from your OPT I-20 issuance date and 59 days from your I-20 program end date, whichever is earlier.
If you enter the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, your OPT filing situation will change. You can choose an OPT start date within the 30-day range following your I-20 end date, which is based on your official graduation date (or, for some PhD students, your dissertation defense date). USCIS must receive your application no later than 30 days from the date your OPT I-20 was issued and no later than 30 days from your I-20 program end date, whichever is earlier. Since the filing deadline is in the middle of the day, it is better to think that your deadline is 29 days from your OPT I-20 issuance date and 29 days from your I-20 program end date, whichever is earlier.
If your last entry was before Sept. 15, 2026 AND you are filing your OPT application on or before March 18, 2027, you only need to file Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS. You do not need to file for an EOS or depart/re-enter the U.S.
If you enter the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, you will need to file both I-765 Application for Employment Authorization and I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with USCIS. Alternatively, you could file I-765 Application for Employment Authorization to apply for OPT and travel/re-enter to gain a new Admit Until Date.
Your STEM OPT application may be impacted by your last date of entry into the U.S.
The general filing deadline is not changed by this rule. F-1 students applying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension must file an application with USCIS within the last 90 days of their 12-month OPT. Applying too early or too late will result in a denial.
The dates you can request for the STEM extension are not changed by this rule. All F-1 students applying for the 24-month STEM extension must request a STEM OPT start date that is exactly one day after their 12-month OPT EAD expires. The STEM OPT end date will be two years after the start date.
If your last entry was before Sept. 15, 2026 AND you are filing your STEM OPT application on or before March 18, 2027, you only need to file Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization with USCIS. You do not need to file for an EOS or depart/re-enter the U.S. Note that not all STEM applicants will be able to apply on or before March 18, 2027 because of the separate rule that the STEM application must be filed within the last 90 days of the 12-month OPT EAD date range.
If you enter the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, you will need to file both I-765 Application for Employment Authorization and I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with USCIS. Alternatively, you could file I-765 Application for Employment Authorization to apply for STEM OPT and travel/re-enter to gain a new Admit Until Date.
There's overlap, but also important differences. Please attend the appropriate information session for your situation. Enrolled J-1 students should attend the F & J Student Session while scholars should attend a J-1 Scholar Session.
This can carry immigration implications. Please talk to us before making changes.
Not necessarily. The rule sets a maximum period of stay, but it doesn't require every degree to be finished in four years. This is especially relevant for PhD students, who often take five to seven years. Options exist to extend a student’s stay to complete degree requirements. If students apply for a timely extension of stay, they may be allowed to continue certain types of employment (F-1 on-campus employment or authorized CPT) while the EOS application is pending.
Point them to this page and please avoid giving immigration guidance yourself. Situations vary and guidance will depend on each individual’s immigration status and circumstances.
Check with ISSS first if the individual may be affected by this rule. If your hiring timeline allows, please first attend an information session.
F-1 and J-1 students can be hired and have their appointments extended if they present valid documents for the I-9 process.
Students and scholars employed by the University should upload their I-94 to Glacier after each individual entry into the U.S.
Contact ISSS directly so we can work with you and the individual on next steps.
For anything not covered here, or for matters unrelated to this rule, please reach out to ISSS. We’re glad to help.