DHS Policy Update: End of "Duration of Status" (D/S) for F and J Students, Scholars and Dependents

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule in the Federal Register titled 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.

Read the final rule here 

Effective September 15, 2026, this rule ends the long-standing "Duration of Status" (D/S) policy for students in F-1 and J-1 status, scholars in J-1 status, as well as their dependents in F-2 and J-2 status. Under the new regulations, individuals in these categories will be admitted to the U.S. for a fixed period tied to the program end date listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019, with a maximum admission period of four years.

Important: This is a complex rule, and additional government guidance is still needed. Legal challenges may potentially impact or delay the effective rule implementation date. ISSS is carefully reviewing its impact on students, scholars, and dependents. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Key Provisions

Fixed Period of Admission

  • F and J students and scholars who enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 will be admitted to the U.S. until the program end date listed on their current I-20/DS-2019 plus 30 days OR up to 4 years plus 30 days, whichever is shorter.

    Example: An F-1 student with a May 15, 2028 program end date on their Form I-20 travels to the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) of June 14, 2028 (Program end date + 30 days) on their Form I-94.

  • F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars who are in the U.S. on September 15, 2026 will be transitioned to an authorized stay ending on their current Form I-20/DS-2019 program end date OR up to 4 years from the final rule effective date (plus 60 days for F status; plus 30 days for J status), whichever is shorter. The transition provisions end upon exit and reentry to the U.S.

    Example: An F-1 student with a May 15, 2028 program end date on their Form I-20 will have an authorized stay ending on July 14, 2028. (Program end date + 60 days)

  • Extending status beyond the fixed period will require filing an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DHS has indicated that international travel and re-entry may be an alternative to an EOS application with USCIS. However, additional guidance is still needed regarding the specifics of these processes.
    • F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars with a program length of more than 4 years whose authorized stay ends prior to their expected program end date will need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS or extend via international travel and re-entry to the U.S.

Provisions for F-1 Students

  • Reduced F-1 Grace Period: The departure grace period following program completion or post-completion practical training is reduced from 60 days to 30 days for F-1 students as well as their F-2 dependents.
  • OPT & STEM OPT Applicants: Applying for OPT/STEM OPT will require a simultaneous Extension Of Stay (EOS) procedure (either via application to USCIS or international travel and re-entry to the U.S.).
    • Transition Provision: Students who are in the U.S. on September 15, 2026 and file for OPT/STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, can apply for employment authorization without the additional EOS process (provided they do not depart and re-enter the U.S. before filing their OPT/STEM OPT employment authorization application with USCIS).

Academic Mobility Restrictions

  • Undergraduate students may not change educational objectives (program, major, or educational level) during the first academic year of a program of study at the school that initially issued their Form I-20.
  • Graduate and Law students may not change educational objectives (program, major, or educational level) at any point during a program of study.
  • Graduate and Law students may not transfer to another school at any point during their program of study, unless an exception is authorized by SEVP for extenuating circumstances.
  • Students who complete a program at one educational level may only begin another program at a higher educational level.

What you can do now

  • F-1 and J-1 students: Review your Form I-20 or DS-2019:
    • If your major/program has changed, contact ISSS to request an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019 by September 4, 2026.
    • If the current program end date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 is prior to  your expected program completion date, apply for a Program Extension with ISSS by September 4, 2026.
    • J-1 students whose program sponsor is not the University of Miami, contact your exchange visitor program sponsor for assistance.
  • J-1 Scholars: Review your Form DS-2019:
    • If the current program end date listed on your Form DS-2019 is prior to your expected program completion date, contact your UM host department to inquire about an extension of your program as soon as possible.
    • J-1 scholars whose program sponsor is not the University of Miami, contact your exchange visitor program sponsor for assistance.
  • Be mindful that if you exit and enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, your Form I-94 will show an Admit Until Date (AUD) instead of D/S (Duration of status).

Additional Resources

Study in the States

 

ISSS Webinar: DHS Policy Update: End of Duration of Status (D/S) for F/J Students 

August 28, 2026

 

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