Elimination of Duration of Status: Summary & FAQs

About This Guidance

This page is based on our initial review and analysis of the DHS final rule, “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,” published on July 17, 2026.

Because the rule is extensive and introduces significant changes to the way F-1 and J-1 students and scholars maintain and extend status in the United States, there are provisions that will require additional guidance and clarification from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State (DoS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). As these agencies issue additional guidance and as the higher education community continues to analyze the rule, our interpretation and understanding of certain provisions may evolve.

We will continue to review new information and update this page as additional guidance becomes available and our understanding develops. We encourage students, scholars, and
campus partners to check this page periodically for the latest information.

Duration of Status and Fixed Period of Admission

Duration of Status (D/S)

Duration of Status (D/S) represents the duration of time an international student can lawfully remain in the United States with no fixed end date.

D/S allowed international students to remain as long as they were maintaining their F-1 or J-1 status and making progress towards completing their academic or research program goals or engaging in Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM extended work authorization.

The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

Quick Facts About the New DHS Rule

The Fixed Time Period of Admission

Beginning September 15, 2026, F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents will no longer be admitted to the United States for Duration of Status (D/S).

Instead, they will generally receive a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94 that establishes how long they are authorized to remain in the United States. The fixed time period of admission will be granted up to the length of the program end date listed on the Form I-20, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for arrival and following completion of their program an additional 30-day period for departure.

The rule changes how long individuals are admitted to the United States, but it does not change the eligibility requirements for F-1 or J-1 status, the length of academic programs, or the university’s ability to sponsor students and scholars.

Key Terms

The Admit Until Date (AUD) is listed on an individual’s Form I-94 and is the maximum period of admission to the United States (i.e., it is the last day a nonimmigrant is authorized to stay in the United States). F-1 students cannot remain lawfully present in the United States beyond their AUD and must depart the United States or take action to maintain status before their AUD expire by filing an Extension of Stay application. To verify your AUD you will must access your Form I-94.
Remaining in the U.S. beyond the program end date now requires a timely filing of USCIS Form I-539 and adjudication, which USCIS may approve or deny.
This will be required for students who:
Do not complete their program by the program end date on their form I-20 and require an extension.
All students applying for Post-completion OPT and STEM OPT.
And may be needed for students transferring schools or changing academic levels.
Who Is Affected?
The rule generally applies to:
F-1 academic students
F-2 dependents
J-1 exchange visitors
Individuals in these categories admitted to the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will receive a date-specific admission instead of D/S.
Individuals admitted under the new rule will:
receive a specific expiration date on their Form I-94 instead of “D/S;”
be admitted until the program end date shown on the Form I-20 or DS-2019, or four years, whichever is shorter;
need to monitor the expiration date on their Form I-94 throughout their stay;
need to request an Extension of Stay from USCIS or travel and re-enter if they will remain in the United States beyond their authorized period of admission; and
receive a 30-day grace period after completing their program or authorized activity.
For students who have been in the United States and in F status for at least 60 days as of September 15th, 2026 the rule will be phased over time.
Current students and scholars will be authorized to remain in the United States without needing to file an EOS until the later of the program end date on their I-20 or DS-2019 or the expiration of their post-completion work authorization, up to a maximum of four years from September 15th.• The 60-day grace period for these F–1 visa holders will remain in place.
Students filing an Optional Practical Training (OPT) or a STEM Extension (STEM) before March 18th, 2027 will not be required to file an Extension of Stay application receive a 30-day grace period after completing their program or authorized activity.
Students filing an OPT or STEM application after March 18th, 2027 will be required to either file and EOS application or depart the United States and return to receive a new AUD on their I-94.
Students who want to pursue a degree, at a higher educational level, must obtain the Form I-20 for their new program and then file an EOS application providing the new Form I-20.
Please note, if a current student (or dependent) leaves the United States and returns after the effective date, the new rule will apply upon reentry.
Remaining in the United States beyond the program end date or AUD now requires a timely filing of a USCIS Form I-539 and adjudication, which USCIS may approve or deny at their discretion.
This will be required for F-1 students who:
Do not complete their program by the program end date on their Form I-20 and require an extension.
All students applying for Post-completion OPT and STEM OPT after March 18th, 2027.
Students transferring schools or changing academic levels.
Students that file a timely EOS application that is pending after their AUD has expired will receive an auto-extension of their current authorization for on-
campus and off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship. Students are permitted to stay in the United States while their EOS application is pending.
The length of the auto-extension of employment authorization will be up to 240 days.
USCIS is responsible for adjudicating EOS applications.
The EOS requires the completion and filing of a Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”
The EOS application must be filed before the current AUD expires, but no earlier than 180 days before.
Students who file for an EOS within the 30-day grace period may not begin or continue employment (e.g., on-campus employment, off campus employment, curricular practical training).
An EOS application is required for F-2 dependents to be included on the F-1 student’s application or their own.
Filing the EOS application is your responsibility; however, you must consult your DSO before filing your application.
Once you have consulted with your DSO they will:
Recommend an EOS in your SEVIS record with an updated Program End Date, if applicable.
Provide an updated Form I-20, containing the EOS recommendation.
Provide informational resources—information guide, USCIS document checklist, etc.
International travel after the rule takes effect may affect your immigration status.
Individuals who depart the United States and are readmitted after September 15, 2026, will receive a new Form I-94 under the new admission system rather than D/S.
Before making international travel plans, students and scholars should understand how reentry may affect their authorized period of admission.
The International Programs Office does not recommend students admitted under D/S travel after September 15, 2026 unless necessary.
If current and new students wish to obtain a new AUD by travel and reentry to the United States rather than filing an EOS application they must notify the International Programs Office in advance.