New 2026 Rules Replace “Duration of Status” for F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors

Beginning September 15, 2026, many international students and exchange visitors will no longer be admitted to the United States for an open-ended “duration of status.” Instead, they will generally receive a specific expiration date governing how long they may remain in the country.

Under the new Department of Homeland Security rule, most F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will be admitted for the length of their approved academic or exchange program, subject in most cases to a maximum program period of four years at a time. The applicable period for preparing to depart the United States may also be reflected on the individual’s Form I-94.

The rule does not prohibit students from pursuing programs that last longer than four years. It does, however, create a new immigration deadline. Students who need additional time may have to request an extension of stay from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before their authorized admission expires.

This change will require closer coordination among students, universities, exchange sponsors, employers, and immigration counsel.

Key Points

The principal changes include:

• Replacement of “D/S,” or duration-of-status admissions, with fixed expiration dates;
• A general maximum admission period of four years at a time for many F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants;
• Greater reliance on Form I-94 as a controlling immigration deadline;
• Possible Form I-539 extension filings for students and exchange visitors who need additional time;
• Transition protections for certain individuals already in the United States;
• A reduction of the standard F-1 departure-preparation period in many cases;
• New coordination issues involving OPT and STEM OPT;
• Additional compliance responsibilities for schools and exchange program sponsors; and
• Greater timing concerns for employers recruiting or sponsoring international graduates.

From Open-Ended Status to a Fixed Expiration Date

For many years, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors were admitted for “duration of status,” usually shown as “D/S” on Form I-94.

Under that system, an individual generally remained authorized to stay in the United States as long as the person continued the approved educational, exchange, or practical-training activity and complied with the requirements of the immigration classification. Lawful stay was tied primarily to continued compliance rather than to a specific calendar date.

The 2026 rule changes that structure.

Most affected individuals will now receive a defined “admit until” date on Form I-94. That date will generally be based on the program period shown on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, subject to the limits imposed by the new regulation.

DHS has explained that fixed admission periods create scheduled opportunities for the government to review whether students and exchange visitors continue to qualify for their status. The agency has identified screening, program oversight, fraud prevention, and national-security considerations as reasons for the change.

The Four-Year Period Is Not a Lifetime Education Limit

The rule has sometimes been described as imposing a “four-year student visa limit.” That description can be misleading.

The four-year period is generally a limit on a single period of admission or authorized stay. It is not necessarily a limit on the total amount of time a student may study in the United States.

For example:

• A student entering for a two-year master’s program would generally receive an admission period tied to the shorter program, not an automatic four-year period.
• A student entering for a five-year doctoral program would generally receive no more than four years for the initial program period and would need additional authorization to remain beyond that date.
• A student who legitimately needs more time to finish a degree may be eligible to request an extension of stay.

DHS has acknowledged that many academic programs, particularly doctoral and research programs, routinely require more than four years. The four-year limit is intended to create an immigration review point, not to require every student to complete a degree within four academic years.

The practical consequence is that extending a university record may no longer be enough by itself. A student may also need USCIS approval to remain in the United States beyond the date listed on Form I-94.

Effective Date and Congressional Review

The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

Because DHS classified the regulation as a major rule subject to congressional review, the agency has stated that it will publish an additional Federal Register notice if the effective date changes or the rule is terminated.

Unless further action is announced, the fixed-admission system will begin on September 15, 2026.

The rule may affect:

• New F-1 and J-1 arrivals;
• Current students who travel and seek readmission;
• Individuals already admitted for duration of status;
• Students applying for OPT or STEM OPT;
• J-1 exchange visitors extending or changing programs;
• F-2 and J-2 dependents; and
• Certain I-class foreign media representatives.

The rule governs immigration status and the authorized period of stay. It does not merely change the expiration date printed on a visa.

A visa permits a foreign national to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission. Customs and Border Protection determines the actual period of admission, which is recorded on Form I-94.

Form I-94 Becomes a Critical Compliance Document

Under the new system, F-1 students should receive a specific expiration date on Form I-94.

That date may not be identical to:

• The expiration date of the visa stamp;
• The program end date on Form I-20;
• The expiration date of an employment authorization document; or
• A date shown in the student’s SEVIS record.

Students should review Form I-94 immediately after every admission to the United States.

An error or unexpected expiration date should be addressed promptly. Waiting until shortly before the date expires could create avoidable status, employment, or travel problems.

Students should retain copies of:

• Every Form I-20;
• Every Form I-94;
• Passport biographical pages;
• Visa stamps;
• Employment authorization documents;
• USCIS receipt and approval notices;
• SEVIS communications; and
• Academic records showing continued enrollment and progress.

Students May Need to File Form I-539

A student who cannot complete an academic program before the fixed admission period expires may need to file an application to extend status with USCIS.

The extension request will generally be made using Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status, or any successor form designated by USCIS.

The student may need to:

• Obtain a new Form I-20 with an extended program end date;
• File Form I-539 before the Form I-94 expiration date;
• Pay the required filing fee;
• Provide evidence of continued maintenance of F-1 status;
• Document normal academic progress;
• Explain the legitimate reason additional time is required;
• Submit financial and supporting evidence; and
• Complete biometrics or attend an interview if USCIS requires it.

A timely filed extension application may permit the student to remain in a period of authorized stay while USCIS reviews the request.

That does not necessarily mean that every activity remains authorized. Employment, travel, enrollment, and practical training may be governed by separate rules.

Late extension requests may be excused only under limited circumstances. Students should therefore begin the extension process well before the expiration date shown on Form I-94.

A Program Extension and a Status Extension Are Different

Under the prior duration-of-status system, a designated school official could often extend a student’s program end date in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I-20 without requiring the student to file a separate extension application with USCIS.

Under the new system, those actions may no longer be sufficient.

A school may approve additional academic time and update the student’s Form I-20, but the student may still need USCIS authorization to remain beyond the fixed expiration date.

Students and institutions will therefore need to monitor at least three separate but related records:

1. The SEVIS record;
2. Form I-20 or Form DS-2019; and
3. Form I-94.

A date change in one record should not be assumed to update the others automatically.

Transition Rules for Current Students and Exchange Visitors

Individuals who are properly maintaining F-1 or J-1 status on September 15, 2026, and were admitted for duration of status may qualify for transition protections.

For qualifying individuals, the authorized period may generally continue until the later of:

• The expiration date of an existing employment authorization document; or
• The program end date shown on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

The transition period is nevertheless subject to an outside limit.

For qualifying F nonimmigrants, the maximum transition period generally cannot extend beyond November 14, 2030. That date reflects four years after September 15, 2026, followed by the applicable 60-day departure period available under the transition rules.

For qualifying J nonimmigrants, the corresponding outside date is generally October 15, 2030, reflecting four years plus the 30-day J-1 departure period.

A student’s actual authorized period may end earlier depending on the program end date, employment authorization, status history, travel, or other circumstances.

International Travel May Change the Student’s Status Framework

Travel after the rule becomes effective may have important consequences.

A student who was previously admitted for duration of status may depart the United States and receive a fixed expiration date upon returning.

This means that a student who otherwise qualified for transition protection could become subject to the new fixed-admission system after international travel.

Before traveling, students should review:

• The visa expiration date;
• The current Form I-94;
• The Form I-20 or Form DS-2019;
• Any pending USCIS application;
• OPT or STEM OPT documentation;
• The expected admission period upon return; and
• Whether travel could affect transition eligibility.

The fact that the underlying academic program has not changed does not guarantee that the student will receive the same admission notation after returning.

The F-1 Departure Period Will Be Shorter in Many Cases

The new rule also changes the period available to many F-1 students after completing their academic program or authorized practical training.

Under the former framework, qualifying F-1 students generally received a 60-day period to prepare for departure, transfer schools, or pursue another authorized immigration option.

Under the fixed-admission framework, many students will generally receive only 30 days.

The prior 60-day period may remain relevant for certain individuals covered by the transition rules and for some OPT or STEM OPT transition situations.

The shorter period may affect:

• Departure arrangements;
• School transfers;
• Applications to change status;
• OPT timing;
• Employer sponsorship;
• Housing;
• Relocation; and
• Personal financial planning.

Students should not assume that older references to a 60-day F-1 grace period apply to every case after September 15, 2026.

OPT and STEM OPT Will Continue, but Filing May Become More Complicated

The rule does not eliminate Optional Practical Training or the STEM OPT extension.

It does, however, create additional timing and filing issues.

Depending on the student’s situation, the student may need to coordinate:

• Form I-765 for employment authorization;
• Form I-539 for an extension of status;
• An OPT or STEM OPT recommendation on Form I-20;
• The Form I-94 expiration date;
• The requested employment period; and
• Any international travel.

The final rule includes transition provisions for certain OPT applications filed on or before March 18, 2027. In qualifying cases, a separate Form I-539 may not be required for the requested OPT period.

Outside the transition exception, students may need to coordinate both employment authorization and an extension of the underlying F-1 stay.

Filing Form I-765 should not be assumed to extend every aspect of a student’s status. Likewise, a pending extension application does not necessarily authorize employment.

The correct strategy will depend on the student’s:

• Admission record;
• Program completion date;
• OPT recommendation;
• Form I-94;
• Travel history;
• Employment authorization; and
• Eligibility for transition protections.

J-1 Exchange Visitors Will Also Receive Fixed Admission Periods

The rule applies not only to F-1 students but also to J-1 exchange visitors.

J-1 visitors will generally receive an admission period tied to the program dates listed on Form DS-2019. The program period will usually be limited to a maximum of four years at a time, followed by the applicable 30-day preparation period, unless a shorter category-specific limit applies.

The J category includes many types of educational and cultural exchange visitors, such as:

• Professors;
• Research scholars;
• Physicians;
• Interns;
• Trainees;
• Teachers;
• University students; and
• Government visitors.

If a J-1 exchange visitor needs additional time, an extension of Form DS-2019 by the program sponsor may not be sufficient by itself.

The visitor may also need to file an extension application with USCIS before the Form I-94 expiration date.

The rules may also affect:

• Academic training;
• Program transfers;
• Changes in program category;
• Reinstatement;
• J-2 dependents; and
• Extensions approved by the exchange sponsor.

School Transfers and Changes in Educational Objective

The final rule also introduces additional restrictions affecting certain school transfers and changes in educational objective.

Depending on the circumstances, an F-1 student may be expected to complete the first academic year at the school that issued the initial Form I-20 before transferring to another SEVP-certified institution, unless an exception is authorized.

The rule may also limit the ability of certain graduate-level students to transfer or change educational objectives while a program is underway.

Students considering a change of school, degree level, major, or academic program should review the immigration consequences before taking action.

Academic approval alone may not resolve the immigration issue.

F-2 and J-2 Dependents

F-2 and J-2 dependents will generally receive authorized periods tied to the principal F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor.

When the principal files an extension request, a spouse or unmarried child under 21 may need to:

• Be included in the principal’s application; or
• File a separate extension request.

Dependents must continue to establish the qualifying family relationship and comply with the conditions of their classification.

A dependent should not assume that the principal’s school or program extension automatically updates the dependent’s Form I-94.

Foreign Media Representatives

The rule also replaces duration-of-status admissions for many I-class foreign media representatives.

The admission periods and transition provisions for I nonimmigrants differ from those governing F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.

Journalists, media representatives, and sponsoring organizations should therefore review the separate I-class provisions rather than assuming that the four-year F-1 framework applies.

Why the Four-Year Review Point Matters

Many students do not complete academic programs within four years.

Federal education data measure bachelor’s-degree completion not only within the traditional four-year period but also within six years and longer. This reflects the reality that students may need additional time because of program structure, research, academic changes, medical circumstances, financial issues, or other legitimate reasons.

Doctoral programs frequently extend well beyond four years. International students also make up a substantial portion of U.S. doctoral graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The fixed-admission rule may therefore have a particularly significant effect on:

• Research universities;
• Doctoral programs;
• Laboratories;
• Medical and scientific institutions;
• Technology employers; and
• Organizations that depend on international STEM graduates.

The need to obtain a USCIS extension could affect research continuity, funding, employment authorization, and academic planning.

New Responsibilities for Universities and Program Sponsors

Universities and exchange sponsors will need systems capable of identifying immigration expiration dates well before they become urgent.

Institutions should consider:

• Recording Form I-94 expiration dates in student-management systems;
• Reviewing admission records after every international trip;
• Creating advance reminders for extension deadlines;
• Updating materials that still describe F-1 or J-1 admission as D/S;
• Distinguishing between an academic program extension and an immigration-status extension;
• Coordinating SEVIS changes with USCIS filing requirements;
• Training academic departments and advisers;
• Planning for USCIS processing delays;
• Developing separate guidance for transition-protected students; and
• Reviewing how extension delays could affect enrollment, research, and employment.

The fixed-admission proposal reportedly generated substantial public concern regarding student costs, USCIS processing times, school workloads, research interruptions, and programs that ordinarily last more than four years.

Although the final rule modified portions of the proposal, DHS retained the central requirement for fixed admission periods.

What Employers Should Do

Although the rule directly governs students and exchange visitors, it will also affect employers recruiting international graduates.

Employers may face:

• More complicated OPT and STEM OPT timelines;
• Additional Form I-539 filings;
• Increased sensitivity surrounding international travel;
• New Form I-94 expiration dates affecting onboarding and continued employment;
• Possible USCIS adjudication delays;
• Greater employee uncertainty; and
• More urgent transitions to longer-term work-authorized status.

Employers should not treat the following documents as interchangeable:

• Visa stamp;
• Form I-20;
• Form I-94;
• Employment authorization document; and
• USCIS approval notice.

Each document serves a different legal purpose.

HR and legal teams should review the employee’s complete immigration record, with particular attention to the expiration date on Form I-94.

Employers should also begin longer-term sponsorship planning earlier. Depending on the individual and the position, possible options may include:

• H-1B status;
• O-1 status;
• TN status for eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals;
• E-1 or E-2 status in qualifying cases;
• L-1 status following qualifying employment abroad; or
• Employment-based permanent residence.

Waiting until the OPT employment authorization document is close to expiring may no longer provide sufficient time to address all status-extension and work-authorization issues.

Practical Steps for Students

Students should consider the following measures:

1. Review Form I-94 after every entry.
2. Calendar the expiration date separately from the visa and Form I-20 dates.
3. Begin discussing program extensions with the school well in advance.
4. Determine whether a USCIS extension application will also be required.
5. Preserve copies of all immigration and academic records.
6. Review the effect of international travel before departing.
7. Coordinate OPT and STEM OPT filings with the underlying admission period.
8. Confirm whether transition protections apply.
9. Seek advice before changing schools, programs, or degree levels.
10. Do not assume a pending application authorizes employment or travel.

Practical Steps for Universities and Employers

Universities should identify students with fixed expiration dates and implement early-warning systems.

Employers should review the complete immigration documentation of employees working under OPT or STEM OPT rather than relying only on the employment authorization card.

Both institutions and employers should establish procedures for referring immigration questions to qualified counsel before a deadline becomes urgent.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the rule scheduled to take effect?

The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

Because it is classified as a major rule subject to congressional review, DHS may issue an additional notice if the effective date changes or the rule is terminated.

Does the rule limit all U.S. study to four years?

No.

The four-year period generally applies to one admission or authorized-stay period. A student in a longer program may request an extension of stay or, where appropriate, depart and apply for readmission.

What does “duration of status” mean?

Duration of status, commonly shown as D/S, permitted qualifying F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants to remain in the United States while they continued their authorized activities and maintained the requirements of their status.

The new rule generally replaces D/S with a fixed expiration date.

Will current students immediately lose their status?

No.

Certain F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants who are properly maintaining duration of status on September 15, 2026, may qualify for transition protections.

The actual period of authorized stay will depend on the program end date, employment authorization, travel, and the limits contained in the final rule.

Does a new Form I-20 automatically extend a student’s stay?

Not necessarily.

A designated school official may extend the program end date and issue a new Form I-20, but the student may also need USCIS approval to remain beyond the expiration date on Form I-94.

May a student stay in the United States while Form I-539 is pending?

A student who timely files a qualifying extension request may generally remain in a period of authorized stay while USCIS reviews the application.

That does not necessarily authorize employment, travel, or every academic activity. Separate rules may govern each issue.

Does the rule eliminate OPT or STEM OPT?

No.

OPT and STEM OPT remain available, but students may need to coordinate Form I-765, Form I-539, Form I-20, and Form I-94 deadlines.

Is the F-1 departure period still 60 days?

For many students admitted under the new fixed-period framework, the standard departure-preparation period will generally be 30 days.

A 60-day period may continue to apply in certain transition or OPT-related situations.

Can international travel affect a student’s admission period?

Yes.

A student previously admitted for duration of status may receive a fixed expiration date when returning to the United States after the effective date.

Does the rule apply to J-1 exchange visitors?

Yes.

J-1 exchange visitors will generally receive fixed admission periods based on Form DS-2019, subject to the four-year maximum, the 30-day preparation period, and any category-specific limitations.

Does extending Form DS-2019 automatically extend J-1 status?

Not necessarily.

A program sponsor may extend Form DS-2019, but the exchange visitor may also need to file an extension request with USCIS.

Are F-2 and J-2 dependents affected?

Yes.

Their authorized periods will generally be tied to the principal nonimmigrant. They may need to be included in an extension application or file separate requests before their Forms I-94 expire.

What should an employer review for an employee working on OPT?

The employer should review the employee’s:

• Form I-94;
• Employment authorization document;
• Form I-20;
• OPT or STEM OPT period;
• Travel plans;
• Pending immigration filings; and
• Expected longer-term sponsorship strategy.

Relying only on the expiration date of the employment authorization card may overlook a separate status issue.

Conclusion

The 2026 rule makes Form I-94 a central immigration deadline for international students and exchange visitors.

The four-year period is not an absolute limit on studying in the United States, but it creates a recurring government review point. A student whose program extends beyond the authorized admission period may need both an updated school document and a separate USCIS extension approval.

Students must monitor multiple records. Universities must coordinate academic administration with federal immigration deadlines. Employers must begin sponsorship planning before a status or employment-authorization problem becomes urgent.

Early review and coordinated planning will be essential under the new framework.

This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. The effect of the rule will depend on the individual’s immigration history, admission record, academic program, employment authorization, travel, transition eligibility, and any subsequent agency guidance.