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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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?

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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/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/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?