New DHS Immigration Rule
Updated 8/14/2026
On September 15, 2026, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation will go into effect that will significantly change how F-1/J-1 students, alumni, and J-1 scholars are authorized to be in the United States.
Click on the title below to read the DHS final rule published in the Federal Register:
Visit the Department of Homeland Security website Study in the States page on the new rule for more information.
While we are continuing to work on interpreting the new rule and how it will affect students and scholars, this page offers an overview of what is changing, who is affected, and what steps may be necessary to take, as well as some important FAQs. We will update this page and our website as we learn more.
Effective September 15, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized the new duration of status rule, which makes changes in the following areas:
- Duration of Stay (D/S)
- Academic Restrictions
- Transition Period
In the past, F-1/J-1 students, alumni, and J-1 scholars, and their F-2/J-2 dependent family members, were admitted to the U.S. for Duration of Status (D/S), meaning they could remain in the U.S. to complete their programs, usually the program end date on their Form I-20/DS-2019 and/or the end date of their authorized period of OPT/STEM OPT, plus a grace period of 60 days for F-1 students and 30 days for J-1 students, as long as they maintained status.
The new rule eliminates Duration of Status (D/S) and replaces it with a fixed calendar end date. This date is called the “Admit Until Date” (AUD). The AUD is the end date of the program (up to a maximum of 4 years) plus a grace period of 30 days.
Important: If a student remains in the U.S. beyond their AUD, they will be violating their status and may begin to accrue unlawful presence.
The new regulation also introduces new requirements and restrictions on changes of major/program, changes of education level, extensions, and transfers to new schools.
Students will generally have to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application (Form I-539) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for extensions to complete their programs and to apply for OPT.
Extensions of stay (EOS) may be approved in limited circumstances, if appropriate, by applying for an EOS with DHS.
Undergraduate students will not be able to change their majors within the first year of study. Graduate students cannot change their major at any point during their program of study.
All students are prohibited from:
- Changing to a program of study at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a master’s program to a bachelor’s program); or
- Changing to a program of study at the same educational level (e.g., moving from a bachelor’s program to a bachelor’s program).
The transition provisions apply to current F-1/J-1 students, alumni, and J-1 scholars who are inside the U.S. with a Duration of Status (D/S) notation on their Form I-94 on or before September 14, 2026.
Important: If a student travels outside of the U.S. at any point on or after September 15, 2026, they will forfeit these transition benefits. Upon re-entry, they will be subject to the new rule and given a date-specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94.
If a student is eligible for the transition provisions:
- The Form I-94 will reflect “D/S” (Duration of Status) rather than a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD).
- An F-1 student will retain the 60-day grace period. A J-1 student will retain the 30-day grace period.
- The student may continue in their current academic program/academic year until:
- Their current Form I-20/DS-2019 end date (up to a maximum of 4 years) plus the applicable grace period or
- Their current OPT/STEM OPT EAD expiration date plus the applicable grace period.
- F-1 Students/Alumni who are eligible and submit their application to USCIS for Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, will be exempt from the requirement to submit a simultaneous Extension of Stay (EOS) application to USCIS.