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Dog in a house on fire

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published important rule changes that will affect all F-1 and J-1 students. The new rules are in effect beginning on September 15, 2026.

It is important that you understand the new rules and how they apply to your immigration status in the United States.

NEW "ADMIT UNTIL DATE" ADMISSION POLICY

The new rule replaces the "duration of status" admission policy with a fixed end date. This fixed date may also be called an "admit until date" or AUD.

  • The end date will be the program end date from your I-20 or DS-2019 (up to a maximum of 4 years).
  • Students who are unable to complete program requirements before the fixed end date will be required to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS.
  • The F-1 grace period is shortened from 60 days to 30 days.
  • English Language Training is capped at 24 months.
  • F-1 Undergraduate students will not be allowed to change majors or to transfer to another school during their first academic year.
  • F-1 Graduate students will not be allowed to change majors or to transfer to another school at all.
  • F-1 students will not be allowed to pursue another academic program at the same or a lower level.

FOR STUDENTS ADMITTED UNDER PREVIOUS "DURATION OF STATUS" RULE

For students and scholars who were admitted into the United States under the previous "duration of status" admission policy, there is a transition period into the new "admit until date" rule.

  • Students will be authorized to remain in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status up until the end date on their OPT EAD card, or the program end date on their I-20 or DS-2019 (up to 4 years from the effective date) PLUS:
    • 60 days for F-1 students, or
    • 30 days for J-1 exchange students.
  • If additional time is required to apply for STEM OPT or to complete your program, you MUST file an extension of stay application with USCIS.
  • Students admitted under the previous D/S rule who travel and re-enter the United States after September 15, 2026 will be subject to the new AUD rule upon returning to the U.S.
  • Programs of study that are/have been completed before September 15, 2026 will not be subject to the limits on enrolling in programs at the same or a lower level.

CIE Is Here to Help!

CIE remains committed to supporting our international students and scholars through this transition. If you have questions, CIE offers walk-in hours on Tuesdays from 1PM - 3PM, where you can stop in for advice without an appointment. You can also request one-on-one advising by appointment by emailing cie@loyno.edu.

CIE will continue to monitor developments on this rule and other immigration policy changes, provide timely updates, and offer guidance as additional information becomes available.

When an international student or scholar enters the United States, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer issues documentation that states how long the individual may legally remain in the U.S. F-1 and J-1 students were admitted to the United States for "duration of status" (D/S) rather than a set date. Unlike a set date, the "duration of status" designation allowed students to remain in the U.S. as long as they were making normal progress towards the completion of their academic or research goals, including OPT and Academic Training. This also allowed for students to continue studying in multiple programs without leaving the U.S.

Beginning on September 15, 2026, duration of status (D/S) will be eliminated and replaced with a system that admits F-1 and J-1 visitors until an exact date. This date will coincide with the program end date on the I-20 or DS-2019, but will not exceed 4 years.

Students and scholars who are unable to finish their academic programs or research activities within 4 years would be required to file an Extension of Stay application and pay a fee to USCIS to request an extension to remain in the United States to finish their academic programs/research activity.

The regulations governing I-20 end dates require a "compelling academic or medical reason, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses" in order to extend an I-20 end date. CIE cannot extend your I-20 without a reason that meets those criteria.

The new rule restricts SEVIS transfers for undergraduate students within the first year of their program. 

It will also prohibit F-1 students from pursuing another program at the same or lower educational level (for example, a second bachelor's or second master's degree, or beginning a master's program after completing a PhD).

Graduate students will not be allowed to transfer to a different school at any point during their degree program.

Undergraduate students will not be allowed to change their major during their first year in their program.

Graduate students will not be allowed to change majors at any time.

The grace period that follows completion of an academic program or OPT has been shortened to 30 days.