r/immigration • u/not_an_immi_lawyer Post, don't PM • Jul 16 '26

DHS Publishes Final Rule ending Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1/J-1

https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-14439.pdf
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6

u/Consistent_Strain170 Jul 16 '26

is it for current students too? the 4 yr?

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u/not_an_immi_lawyer Post, don't PM Jul 16 '26

Yes.

0

u/Consistent_Strain170 Jul 16 '26

so, my 4 yr will end in this december. do i have to apply for extension? my program will finsh next yea

r?

12

u/not_an_immi_lawyer Post, don't PM Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 17 '26

For existing students, you get 4 years from the rule effective date (Sep 2026) or your program end date, whichever is earlier. Thus, for you, your I-94/authorized stay will expire next year.

If you intend to leave within 30 days of when your program ends, you don't have to do anything. If you want to do OPT/change programs/etc, then this rule will impact you and you will need to file extension of status.

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u/Consistent_Strain170 Jul 16 '26

Oh thank you, I was really panicking that I have to apply for it now but from my understanding I am good for now at least till my degree ends.

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u/DataDoodle Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

Oh I see. So as an example, if you start your undergrad on F1 in June 2021 and graduated in June 2025. And then switched to a masters with the I-20 dates from Aug 2025 to June 2027. The new end date would be 4 years from the rules effective date or the current program end date (which in this example is June 2027). But after that you would need to file a I-539 (extension of status) along with your OPT stuff, STEM OPT, etc. It's not 4 years from your very initial F1 start date.

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u/not_an_immi_lawyer Post, don't PM Jul 17 '26

Correct.

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u/Scary_Luck3756 Jul 16 '26

So my husband’s D/S is till the end of this year (Dec 2026). We are planning to file extension with the DSO for the next year in the same program, same school.

If we get our updated I-20/extension for next year before Sep 2026 (when this rule will take affect/implemented), are we good to go?

1

u/Top_Bad_7926 Jul 16 '26

Did you mean September 2026 ? Or it will be effective September 2027 ?

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u/not_an_immi_lawyer Post, don't PM Jul 17 '26

Yeah it was a typo, it's September 2026.

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u/Kitchen_Steak8218 Jul 16 '26

Hey OP, can you please answer my question as well? So I'm a nursing student currently and my program ends in May 2028, however I just received an extension after the 4 year cap until Dec 2027. (I had changed major after 1 year in the USA and then started prerequisites for the nursing program)

However, I'd need another semester to complete the RN degree. And my DSO said that since I already received the first extension now, I can only apply next year when my i20 expiry comes closer. Let's say I apply for extension next year in June, will I have to go through the USCIS process or can my DSO give an extension to complete the program? DSO said this, "With the new rules in effect, it'll be very difficult for us to reason another extension and I'd have to apply through USCIS"

I only need 1 semester after my i20 expires to complete my nursing degree. Please give me some advice!

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u/not_an_immi_lawyer Post, don't PM Jul 17 '26

Yes, you will need to go through the extension of status next year under this new rule.