Important Changes to F and J Immigration Status
Replaces “Duration of Status (D/S)” admissions with fixed-date admissions of no more than four years. F and J nonimmigrants will receive an “Admit Until Date (AUD)” on all I-94 records. The AUD will align with the program length or four years, whichever is shorter.
Extension of Stay (EOS) applications will be required if an F student or J exchange visitor needs additional time to complete their academic or research program, including participation in OPT and STEM-OPT. The application must be filed directly with USCIS before the AUD expires by the F student or J exchange visitor. A USCIS filing fee will apply. The university cannot review, prepare or mail the EOS application.
For those F students who enter the U.S. after the effective date of the rule, the grace period will be 30 days following the completion of their academic program, OPT, or STEM-OPT. Please note that the grace period for J-1 nonimmigrants remains 30 days.
F-1 students whose course of study is in an English language training program are restricted to a lifetime admission period of 24 months for that purpose, plus an additional 30-day grace period.
F students enrolled at the undergraduate level cannot change their major or education level during their first year of study unless SEVP authorizes an exception due to extenuating circumstances. F students enrolled in graduate programs cannot change their majors or educational level at any point during their program of study.
F-1 students who have completed a program at a certain education level after the effective date of the rule are prohibited from pursuing another program at the same or lower educational level.
An F-1 student at any level below the graduate degree level (e.g. undergraduate) may not transfer within the first academic year of a program of study, unless an exception is authorized by SEVP for extenuating circumstances. They are expected to complete their first academic year of a program of study at the school that issue their Form I-20.
An F-1 student at the graduate level may not transfer at any point during their program of study unless an exception is authorized by SEVP for extenuating circumstances in advance of the transfer.
F and J nonimmigrants in the U.S. on the effective date of the rule who were admitted for D/S and are maintaining their F or J status will not automatically receive an I-94 with an AUD. They may remain in the U.S. until the program end date on their Form I-20 or DS-2019, or four years, whichever is shorter, plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and 30 days for J-1s.
For F and J nonimmigrants in the U.S. on the effective date who depart the U.S. after on or after September 15, 2026: Upon returning to the U.S., they may be admitted with a new fixed period of admission/AUD, which is the Program End Date on their Form I-20 or DS-2019 up to a maximum of four years (plus a 30-day grace period—including F students). Their departure means they are no longer benefiting from the transition provisions.
For current F and J nonimmigrants admitted for duration of status who are present in the U.S. on the final rule’s effective date: These F and J nonimmigrants may remain in the U.S. without applying for an EOS until the latest of the program end date on their current I-20 or DS-2019, OPT EAD, or STEM-OPT EAD, not to exceed four years from September 15, 2026, plus the applicable grace period.
F and J nonimmigrants must apply for an EOS if they wish to remain in the U.S. beyond this date, including if additional time is needed to begin a new program of study or engage in post-completion OPT or STEM OPT. Alternatively, a student may travel and seek readmission with a new period of admission to begin a new program of study.
An F-1 student who does not travel internationally after September 15, 2026, may file for OPT within 60 days of program completion and does not have to apply for EOS so long as applying for OPT before March 18, 2027.
An F-1 student who travels internationally after September 15, 2026, will be issued an I-94 record with an AUD and must file for an extension of stay application and an OPT application together within 30 days of program completion. The OPT start date must be within 30 days of program completion.
Avoid making changes to your program or educational level without consulting OISS and your academic advisor. You can make an appointment with your OISS advisor. Before the rule's effective date, you will have time to make any necessary changes, and it is important that you make informed decisions.
The I-94 record is your primary evidence of immigration status in the U.S. You should save copies of your I-94 record. It is the responsibility of the F student and J scholar to track the end date of your and your dependent’s authorized stay in the U.S.
For example: do not engage in unlawful/unauthorized employment, timely report address changes, timely report changes in employers if on OPT or STEM-OPT, maintain health insurance, maintain the required course load if an F student.