New Duration of Status Rule
New federal immigration rule for F-1 students
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published a new immigration rule that is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. The rule changes how F-1 students are admitted to and maintain their status in the United States.
The Learning Commons is reviewing the rule and its implementation. While there are still questions about how some provisions will be applied, we want to help you understand what is changing, what it may mean for you, and what you should do now.
At this time:
- The rule has not yet taken effect.
- Most current 911爆料 students do not need to take immediate action, unless the student needs additional time to complete their degree.
- Continue following all current F-1 immigration requirements.
- Speak with The Learning Commons before making international travel plans or decisions that could affect your immigration status or academic program.
- We will provide additional information as we better understand how the rule will be implemented and how it may affect individual students or programs at 911爆料.
What is changing?
Currently, most F-1 students are admitted to the United States under Duration of Status (D/S). This allows students to remain in the U.S. as long as they maintain valid F-1 status and continue meeting immigration requirements.
Beginning September 15, 2026, F-1 students will instead receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94. The AUD establishes the last day a student is authorized to remain in the United States before taking additional action to extend their stay. If you travel outside the United States, be sure to print a copy of your Form I-94 and verify your AUD upon reentering the country.
For many students, the AUD will match the Program End Date listed on their Form I-20, up to a maximum admission period established under the new rule.
What this means for 911爆料 students
The new rule may affect students who:
- need additional time to complete their degree
- plan to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- plan to apply for STEM OPT
- will transfer to another U.S. institution or graduate program
- expect to remain in the United States beyond the Program End Date listed on their current I-20
Under the new rule, these situations may require filing an application for Extension of Status application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unless the student departs the United States and re-enters with updated immigration documents, where permitted.
Because implementation guidance is still evolving, The Learning Commons recommends discussing your individual plans with the P/DSOs (international advisors) before making decisions.
What should I do now?
For most students, no immediate action is required.
However, we recommend that you:
- Continue maintaining your F-1 status under current regulations.
- Contact The Learning Commons before making international travel plans.
- Discuss any anticipated graduation delays by September 1, 2026.
- Apply for post-completion OPT as soon as you become eligible if you plan to pursue OPT.
- Monitor future emails from The Learning Commons for updated guidance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for students
Find answers to common questions about the new federal immigration rule, including how it may affect your F-1 status, travel, OPT, program extensions, and authorized stay in the United States.Duration of Status (D/S) is a notation on the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record that nonimmigrant students in F-1 status are given upon entry to the U.S. The D/S notation means that F-1 students are permitted to remain in the U.S. for as long as they are engaged in their academic program or any authorized F-1 employment immediately following their program completion.
With a D/S notation on the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, students can complete a degree, begin a new degree, transfer to a new program, and apply for post-completion employment authorization without needing to seek formal USCIS extension of their permission to remain in the U.S. before September 15, 2026.
The change to the D/S rule will give students and scholars a fixed date they are permitted to remain in the U.S. before they need to seek extended permission to stay. Under the new rule, many common procedures that students pursue as they complete an academic program (such as transfer to a new degree program or applying for post-completion employment authorization) will require students to also file an application for an Extension of Stay with the USCIS to remain in the U.S. and pay the associated filing fees. It will also apply if you extend your program completion date. For example, instead of graduating in the Spring semester, you decide to graduate in August or December.
The AUD is calculated based on the student鈥檚 I-20/DS-2019, not to exceed four years.
F students present in the U.S. before September 15, 2026, may see D/S listed on their I-94. The AUD will be considered the end date on their I-20 or a date four years from September 15, 2026, whichever is sooner.
- F students entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will receive an AUD on their I-94 matching their I-20 end date (plus a grace period of 30-days) OR a date four years from entry, whichever is sooner.
- F students already present in the United States on September 15, 2026, may still see D/S listed on their I-94. However, their AUD will be considered the end date on their I-20 or DS-2019 (plus a grace period) OR a date four years from September 15, 2026, whichever is sooner.
Yes.
There is a dual framework to implement the new rule.
- F-1 students in the U.S. before September 15, 2026 with D/S when the rule change goes into effect.
- F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors who enter the U.S. after on or after September 15, 2026.
This means that student requirements may be different because the last date of entry to the U.S. and the I-94 AUD are important to determine eligibility to apply for F-1 student benefits, like change of major, transfer to another school, or employment authorization.
Yes, the AUD includes a 30-day grace period for both F and J students. The 30-day grace period begins the day after program completion.
F-1 students in their 30-day grace period may:
- Prepare to depart the U.S.
- Apply for a USCIS Extension of Stay
- Change of Education Level to a higher level of study. Will also need to apply for an extension of status with the USCIS.
- Transfer to another U.S. institution
- Apply for a USCIS Change of Status to another visa category
- Apply for OPT. Will need to apply for an extension of status with the USCIS.
Yes. Travel remains an option and the student鈥檚 personal choice. In addition to monitoring end dates on passports, visas, and I-20/DS-2019, F-1 and J-1 students will need to download the newest I-94 record from after each entry into the U.S.
Students must be aware of their I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD).
This rule does not specifically address travel restricted or visa-paused countries. Travel restrictions remain in effect. Students should remain informed about changes and continue checking this page for updates.
All students in F and J status will be subject to the rule changes effective September 15, 2026, regardless of citizenship.