New USDHS Rule Eliminates F and J Duration of Status (D/S)
The US Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) published new regulations today that will impact all F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor categories. 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 is expected to become effective on September 15, 2026. The new rule will replace the “duration of status” (D/S) expiration with a fixed expiration date referenced as the admit until date (AUD) based on the end of the student or exchange visitor’s program end date on their current I-20 or DS-2109 – not to exceed 4 years.
Students and exchange visitors and their F-2 and J-2 dependent family members who need to stay beyond their admit until date (AUD) will need to apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to remain in the US to complete scholarly activities and/or apply for post-completion employment.
Other sections of the new rule include:
- a reduction of the F-1 60-day grace period after program completion to 30 days
- restrictions on changing academic objectives including:
- when a student might be eligible to transfer to new school
- if/when a student can change to a new program of study
- prohibitions on lateral and reverse matriculation
- more restrictive eligibility requirements for extensions of stay (EOS) to be adjudicated by USCIS
- a plan for how records would transition for current students and scholars when rule becomes effective
- the accrual of unlawful presence if a student or scholar remains in the US after the fixed admit until expiration date without taking corrective action
- changes to USDHS I-765 and I-539 application forms involved in the EOS and OPT application processes
Read a high level overview of the rule. ISSO will continue to update this page as USCIS provides further guidance before and after implementation.
Town Hall Registration: New USDHS Rules For International Students & Scholars
Join the ISSO, Office of General Counsel, Federal Relations, and a Boston-based immigration attorney for a virtual town hall to learn more. This session will provide a broad overview of the new rule and how these changes will affect international students, scholars, and the departments that support them. We will also discuss potential implications for advising, academic planning, employment authorization, and immigration compliance, as well as considerations for the broader university community.
While many aspects of implementation are still evolving, this session is designed to provide high-level context and help attendees understand the potential impact of these changes. Time will be reserved for questions and answers.
Click below to register for a Town Hall
Wednesday September 23, 2026 4PM
ISSO will continue to communicate directly to international students and scholars and other university stakeholders to break down how the new rule will impact students by education level and immigration status to help educate and guide them through this transition. Students and exchange visitors should check their email inboxes for invitations to join virtual workshops to learn more.
Please contact the ISSO should you have specific questions.