On Friday, July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that eliminates “duration of status” (D/S) for international students (F), exchange visitors (J), and foreign media representatives (I). For decades, these nonimmigrants were admitted for as long as they maintained their status — no fixed end date. That’s gone. Starting September 15, 2026 (60 days after publication), F, J, and I visa holders will instead be admitted for a fixed period tied to their program, capped at four years.
This is one of the most significant structural changes to the F/J/I system in years, and it changes how status is tracked, extended, and lost.
What’s changing
What is changing?
First, extensions move from SEVIS to USCIS. Today, a Designated School Officer or Responsible Officer can extend a student’s program directly in SEVIS. Under the new rule, F-1 students needing more time to finish their program must instead file Form I-539 with USCIS — adding an adjudication step (and USCIS processing times) to what used to be an administrative, same-day fix.
That change extends to OPT and STEM OPT: students will eventually need to file both I-539 and I-765 for those applications. DHS is giving a six-month grace period on this specific piece, so it takes effect March 18, 2027 — not immediately with the rest of the rule.
Second, no more lateral or downward degree changes. F-1 students who finish one academic level can now only move up. A bachelor’s grad can start a master’s; a master’s grad can no longer pivot to a second bachelor’s or an equivalent-level program the way they could before. This closes off a fairly common path for students changing fields or schools.
Third, he post-completion grace period is cut in half. Students now have 30 days — down from 60 — after finishing their program to depart the U.S., transfer schools, or change status. That’s a meaningfully tighter window for a decision that already tends to be logistically messy.
How will the transition work?
How the transition works
- Students already in the U.S. under D/S convert automatically. Their new authorized stay will mirror their current program or OPT end date, capped at four years from September 15, 2026 — no action required to get an initial status date.
- Students traveling internationally and re-entering the U.S. on or after September 15 will be issued an I-94 with a specific expiration date at reentry, rather than the open-ended “D/S” notation.
Why this matters
The predictability cuts both ways. A fixed end date makes it easier to know exactly where you stand — but it also means routine situations (a delayed thesis, a change of major, a slow semester) can now trigger a status problem that used to resolve itself quietly through a school official. Students pursuing a second degree, especially at the same or a lower level, should plan well before September 15.
Please consult with your immigration counsel to evaluate how this affects your specific situation.