International Student F-1/J-1 Status Changes
Frequently Asked Questions
New DHS rule ending "Duration of Status" (D/S) — effective September 15, 2026
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General Changes & Effective Date
Q: What is the main change introduced by the new DHS final rule?
A: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is eliminating "Duration of Status" (D/S) for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.Old System:Students were admitted for D/S, allowing them to remain in the U.S. as long as they maintained status and made normal academic progress.New System:Students are admitted for a fixed period of time recorded as an "Admit Until Date" (AUD) on Form I-94.Q: When does this rule take effect?
A: The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.Q: How is my fixed "Admit Until Date" (AUD) calculated?
A: Your AUD will be set to either the program end date listed on your Form I-20 / DS-2019 or a maximum of 4 years, whichever is shorter, plus a 30-day grace period.
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Program Duration & Grace Periods
Q: How long is the post-completion grace period under the new rule?
A: The grace period for F-1 students is reduced from 60 days to 30 days, aligning it with J-1 and M-1 classifications.Q: What happens if I finish my degree program early?
A: Your Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) will shorten your program end date in SEVIS. You will have 30 days from the new shortened program end date to depart the U.S., transfer, or take steps to maintain lawful status.
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Extending Your Stay & Travel Options
Q: What must I do if I need more time to complete my program?
A: If your program extends beyond your Form I-94 Admit Until Date, you must take a two-step approach:• DSO Recommendation: Obtain an extension recommendation and an updated Form I-20 / DS-2019 from your school.• USCIS Application: Timely file Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) with USCIS before your AUD expires, including required filing fees, biometrics, and proof of financial support.Q: Can I extend my stay by traveling outside the U.S. instead of filing Form I-539?
A: Yes. DHS permits students to choose between filing Form I-539 with USCIS or traveling abroad and reentering the U.S. with an updated Form I-20 / DS-2019 and a valid visa. Upon re-entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can issue a new AUD on your Form I-94.Q: What proof of funding is required when applying for an Extension of Stay?
A: You must submit documentary evidence demonstrating readily available funds for at least one full academic year (such as bank statements, affidavits of support, or loan letters), along with evidence that funding will continue to be available for subsequent years. -
Academic Flow, Major Changes, & School Transfers
Q: Can I change my major or transfer schools as an undergraduate student?
A: Undergraduate students (and below) cannot transfer schools or change educational objectives (majors or levels) during their first academic year, unless SEVP grants a case-by-case exception for "extenuating circumstances" (e.g., school closure or natural disaster).
Q: What are the restrictions for graduate students?
Changing Majors/Levels:Graduate students are prohibited from changing educational objectives (majors or educational levels) at any point during their program.Transfers:Graduate students cannot transfer to another school during their program unless SEVP approves a narrow "extenuating circumstances" exception.Q: Can I pursue a second degree at the same or a lower level (lateral or reverse matriculation)?
A: No. Once you complete a degree program in the U.S. after September 15, 2026, you cannot enroll in another program at the same or a lower educational level in F-1 status. You can only progress to a higher educational level (e.g., Bachelor's to Master's, or Master's to Doctorate).
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Transition Provisions for Current Students
Q: I am already studying in the U.S. under Duration of Status (D/S). Does this apply to me immediately?
A: Special transition rules apply to students in the U.S. on D/S as of September 15, 2026:• You will generally remain in status until your current Form I-20 / DS-2019 program end date or up to 4 years (until November 14, 2030), whichever is shorter.• You retain the legacy 60-day grace period as long as you remain under transition protection.• If you depart and re-enter the U.S., or file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS, after September 15, 2026, you will transition to the new fixed AUD system with a 30-day grace period. -
School Transfers: Extensions of Stay & Transfers After Program Completion
Q: What if I transfer to a new school, but the new program will take longer to finish than my current Admit Until Date (AUD) allows?
A: You must file a full extension of stay application (Form I-539) with USCIS before your AUD expires. If USCIS denies that application after your AUD has already passed, you fall out of status and your SEVIS record will be terminated.
Q: Is the "transfer" extension of stay different from a regular extension of stay?
A: The outcomes are largely the same, but the underlying rules are worded slightly differently. For transferrelated extensions, a denial by itself is described as putting the student out of status. For standard extensions, the regulation ties falling out of status specifically to the AUD already having expired at the time of denial. In practice, the key factor in both situations appears to be whether the AUD has already expired by the time USCIS denies the extension — not simply that the extension was denied.
Q: If I've already completed my program, do the new transfer restrictions still apply to me?
A: This scenario isn't explicitly addressed by the rule, and it raises a couple of open questions:
• Whether a student in a program shorter than an academic year (for example, an English as a Second Language student) may transfer after completing it.
• Whether a graduate student who has completed a program — regardless of how long it took — may transfer to a new school to begin a program at a higher educational level.
Q: After completing a degree, can I transfer to a new school for a program at a higher educational level?
A: It appears so. A student who finishes a program at one level and begins a new program at a higher level — even at a different school — is treated as maintaining F-1 status, as long as all other requirements continue to be met. This lines up with the broader rule that, after September 15, 2026, students may only progress to a higher educational level, not repeat or move down a level.
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F-1 OPT/STEM OPT & J-1 Academic Training
Q: Does this new rule affect F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, or J-1 Academic Training (AT)?
A: No. The regulation does not change your eligibility for these programs. F-1 students may still apply for OPT and, if eligible, the STEM OPT extension. J-1 students may still apply for Academic Training.
Q: I'm a J-1 student or alum applying for post-completion Academic Training — is there anything else I need to file?
A: You may need to submit a Form I-539 Extension of Stay (EOS) application to USCIS at the same time you submit your AT request to ISSC.
Q: I'm an F-1 student applying for post-completion OPT — is there anything else I need to file?
A: You may need to submit a Form I-539 EOS application to USCIS at the same time as your OPT application.
Q: I'm an F-1 alum applying for the STEM OPT extension — is there anything else I need to file?
A: You may need to submit a Form I-539 EOS application to USCIS at the same time as your STEM OPT application.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the EOS filing requirement?
A: Yes. If you qualify for the transition provisions described earlier and you apply for OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, you will not need to submit a separate EOS application to USCIS. You will also keep your original 60-day grace period.
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J-1 Scholars
Q: How long am I eligible to remain in the U.S. as a J-1 scholar?
A: If you will be in the U.S. in J-1 status on or before September 14, 2026, refer to the transition provisions described earlier in this FAQ. If you enter or re-enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, you will be admitted with a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94 — generally your DS-2019 end date plus a 30-day grace period, up to a maximum of 4 years. Maximum program durations for each J-1 category remain unchanged.
Q: How do I extend my AUD after receiving a DS-2019 with an extension recommendation?
A: If your host department is extending your appointment, it will first request a DS-2019 program extension on your behalf. Receiving an updated DS-2019 does not automatically extend your AUD — you will generally need to either file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS, or depart the U.S. and re-enter to receive a new AUD.
Q: Can I request a SEVIS transfer to another academic institution?
A: You may be eligible to transfer. J-1 scholars should continue to follow the existing transfer procedures.
Q: I need to travel outside the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026. What should I know?
A: If you will be in the U.S. in J-1 status on or before September 14, 2026, review the transition provisions first. If you travel and re-enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 — even if you were already in the U.S. on September 14, 2026 — you will be re-admitted with a fixed AUD, generally your DS-2019 end date plus a 30-day grace period, up to a maximum of 4 years. After each re-entry, check your I-94 record to confirm your entry information and AUD are correct.
Questions about how this rule affects your specific situation? Contact the Weber State International Student & Scholar Center for personalized guidance.