This FAQ will be updated as more information becomes available. 

October 2: Status Conference held. Nothing has currently changed: the D/S rule's effective date is still postponed nationwide. However, the government plans to request an expedited appeal in order to move the case to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. 

September 14: A nationwide preliminary injunction was issued, blocking the Elimination of Duration of Status rule from taking effect and prohibiting DHS and USCIS from implementing it. The government is expected to appeal the injunction. Please continue to monitor this page for any developments as the case continues. 

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a rule “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.” The rule’s effective date is September 15, 2026, pending congressional review and likely legal challenges. 

DHS includes a two-year possible option to delay implementation of academic mobility restrictions, (until September 14, 2028), if found to be infeasible due to required updates to SEVIS and other systems. Any delays or suspension will be announced on the Study in the States website among other channels at least 30 calendar days in advance.

The rule introduces significant changes to the regulations governing F and J visa holders, including: 

• The elimination of Duration of Status
• Restrictions on academic mobility

A fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) will replace Duration of Status (D/S) 

The new rule will replace the current “Duration of Status” (D/S) policy for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents with a fixed “Admit Until Date” (AUD) on the Form I-94. F and J visa holders will receive an AUD that matches the program end date listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019 plus 30 days, or up to four years, whichever is shorter. The new rule does not limit the program length listed on an I-20 or DS-2019. Individuals who need additional time beyond their AUD will be required to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services or depart and seek readmission into the US.

F-1 Students: the 60-day grace period will be shortened to a 30-day grace period 

Under the new DHS regulation, the grace period for F-1 students after completing their academic program or post-completion OPT has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days. The grace period for most J-1 exchange visitors remains 30 days.

Under the previous Duration of Status D/S system, the grace period was calculated from the program end date on the Form I-20 (or the end of the approved OPT period). Under the new rule, the period of admission is based on the expiration date on the Form I-94 (the Admit Until Date or AUD). 

Under the new fixed-date admission system, the 30-day departure period is built into the Admit Until Date (AUD). Students admitted with an AUD must depart or take another authorized action on or before the AUD; there is no additional grace period after the AUD.

Because of this change, it is important to pay attention to both your program end date and the expiration date on your Form I-94. These dates may not always be the same, and your I-94 now determines when your period of admission ends. 

The shorter grace period means there is less time after completing your program to file an application for post-completion OPT. If you plan to apply for OPT, you should request your OPT I-20 as early as possible within the 90-day period before your program end date. 

If you expect to graduate this semester, complete OPT, transfer schools, begin a new academic program, or pursue another immigration status, contact the ISO as early as possible to discuss your situation. Waiting until your program end date or I-94 expiration may not leave enough time to complete the necessary steps. 

Limits on Educational Objectives and Academic Mobility

Under the new DHS regulations, F-1 students must pay closer attention not only to how long they are authorized to remain in the U.S., but also to their educational objective or to the academic purpose for which they were specifically admitted. 

An educational objective includes both:

• The educational degree level, e.g. bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, or professional degree); and
• The program of study or major listed on the I-20

The new rule places restrictions on when and whether F-1 students can change their educational objective, and the rules for undergraduates and graduate students differ. 

Before changing your major, degree level, or academic program, contact the International Studies Office. The ISO can help you understand your options and ensure that any academic changes are consistent with F-1 regulations. 

Academic mobility restrictions for undergraduate study and below:

F-1 undergraduate students may not transfer to a new university or change academic major/program during their first academic year, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for “extenuating circumstances,” i.e. school closures, natural disasters, etc. 

Academic mobility restrictions for graduate study and above:

F-1 graduate students may not change their educational objectives (major or degree level) at any point during their program of study. School transfer during a student's academic program may be allowed, but only if SEVP authorizes an exception for “extenuating circumstances,” i.e. school closures, natural disaster, etc. 

Students who complete a program of study can transfer to another school to begin a new program at a higher degree level.

Bar on lateral and reverse matriculation by F-1 students:

F-1 students who complete a program of study at one educational level on or after September 15, 2026 are barred from starting another program at the same or lower educational level. The language of the rule will likely be read as imposing a lifetime limit. 

Under the rule, a change of educational level can only be approved for students moving to a higher educational level. 

• Programs of study completed before September 15, 2026 do not trigger the prohibition. 

• Students below the graduate level who have not yet completed their program can change to another program at the same educational level or transfer to another school after completion of one academic year. 

• An undergraduate student who has enrolled in a program at one educational level, but who has not completed the program, is authorized to change to another program at the same educational level or transfer to another school after completion of one academic year.

DHS states that it anticipates providing further guidance on educational levels to clarify how it defines educational levels.

Transition Rules:

• F visa holders present in the U.S. and admitted for D/S on the rule’s effective date can remain in the U.S. without applying for an EOS until their program end date or until the end of OPT/STEM OPT valid on rule’s effective date, but not beyond November 14, 2030 (4 years plus 60 days or program end date, whichever is shorter).
• J visa holders present in the U.S. and admitted for D/S on the rule’s effective date can remain in the U.S. without applying for an EOS until their program end date, but not beyond October 15, 2030 (4 years plus 30 days or program end date, whichever is shorter).
• USCIS Application & ISSP Approval: Students must request a program extension through ISSP Connect and file an EOS application with USCIS if they wish to remain in the U.S. beyond the AUD. This includes situations where a student needs to:
  • Extend their current program past the I-20 / DS-2019 end date
  • Begin a new program of study
  • Apply for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT

Alternatively, a student may travel and seek readmission with a new period of admission from CBP—whether to begin a new program of study or return as a current student. 

• Students who file a timely OPT/STEM OPT application by March 18, 2027 will not need to file a separate EOS application.
• Students who travel outside the U.S. and re-enter on or after the effective date will be subject to a fixed AUD including a 30-day grace period, and will need to file an EOS application when filing for OPT/STEM OPT.

Glossary

• Admit Until Date (AUD): The date on your Form I-94 that indicates the end of your authorized period of admission. 

• Educational Objective: The academic purpose for which you were admitted, including your degree level and program of study.

• Extension of Stay (EOS): Application to USCIS for student to remain in the U.S. beyond the AUD listed on I-94. 

• Program Extension: allows you to extend the end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 by submitting a program extension request through the UVA ISSP portal. Students who need a program extension will also likely need to apply to USCIS for an extension of stay (EOS).

• I-94 Arrival/Departure Record: Government record that displays when individual entered the U.S., visa status admitted to the U.S., and the period of authorized stay in the U.S. (AUD).

• DHS: Department of Homeland Security. The federal agency that oversees U.S. immigration system. 

• USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Handles applications such as OPT, OPT STEM, Extensions of Stay, and Change of Status. 

• SEVP: Student and Exchange Visitor Program located within the DHS that oversees international students and the institutions that host them. 

Legal documents and how they contribute to status

Passport: Must be valid for every entry into the U.S. and should always have 6 months validity into the future. Can be renewed within the U.S.

Visa: The visa stamp must be applied for in an embassy or consulate in student/scholar’s home country or country of residence. Must be valid for every entry into the U.S., but once in the U.S. it can expire without any consequence to legal status, legal presence, or ability to apply for benefits such as Optional Practical Training or an Extension of Stay.

I-20 or DS-2019: This document contains information about your program and its duration. It must not expire while you are in the U.S. An ISSP Advisor can edit the document, but once Elimination of D/S rule is implemented, some changes will require an Extension of Stay application through USCIS.

I-94: The arrival record indicates the visa status upon entry into the U.S. and the Admit Until Date (AUD). The AUD is the date you are authorized to remain in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status, provided you continue to maintain your status. 

• For students and scholars whose most recent entry into the U.S. is before September 15, 2026: Your I-94 may show Duration of Status (D/S) rather than a specific admit until date. However, your AUD will be considered the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 (plus a grace period) OR a date four years from September 15, 2026, whichever is sooner. 
• For students and scholars whose most recent entry into the U.S. is on or after September 15, 2026: You will receive an AUD on your I-94 matching your I-20 or DS-2019 end date (plus a grace period) OR a date four years from entry, whichever is sooner.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR AUD: You will need to take action before that date is reached. In some scenarios, you will need to take action prior to your program end date or EAD end date. If the I-94 AUD has already passed, you will begin to accrue days of unlawful presence unless you have: 

• Timely filed an Extension of Stay application or Change of Status application through USCIS, or
• Extended your Admit Until Date through travel with updated documentation.

Please review the State Department's FAQs for more information: 

Elimination of Duration of Status Quick Facts

Elimination of Duration of Status FAQ

Additional FAQs:

International Student Resource Center's FAQs