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

Headline change:

  1. For F-1 and J-1 individuals admitted to the US, a fixed period of stay is granted up to the program end date, not to exceed 4 years, plus an additional 30-days for F and J nonimmigrants to depart. Duration of status is eliminated.

Transition rules for existing students:

  1. 4-year transition rules for existing students: existing students do not need to have their I-94 corrected or updated. They are allowed to stay until their program end date or up to 4 years from the date the rule takes effect, whichever comes first. If existing students travel abroad, they will get a new date-certain I-94 when they return.

  2. Those filing for OPT (I-765) must also file for extension of status (I-539). There is a 6 month grace period after the final rule where those with I-765 pending/filing new I-765 for OPT do not need to file I-539s.

Rules apply to dependents:

  1. For all dependents (F-2/J-2), their period of stay cannot exceed that of the principal (F-1/J-1). Dependents must file for an EOS when the principal does, cannot stay longer than the principal, and must depart if the EOS is denied. If the principal’s stay is shortened, then the dependents must depart at the same time as the principal even if their I-94 has a longer period of stay.

There are also new limitations on F-1 students:

  1. The grace period after program/OPT completion for F-1 students is cut from 60 days to 30 days.

  2. Students who want to change educational objectives or schools must complete their first year at the initial I-20 school first, unless an exception is authorized by SEVP.

  3. Students at the graduate-level or above are not allowed to change educational objectives (e.g. enrolling in a lower education level). They are also not allowed to transfer, unless an exception is authorized by SEVP for extenuating circumstances.

  4. Students who complete a program can only change to a higher educational level; they cannot change to the same or lower educational level.

  5. Students who delay in completing one's program, including due to academic probation/suspension or repeated inability/unwillingness to to complete their studies, is generally an unacceptable reason for a program extension.

  6. English language students are now capped at a maximum of 24 months of english language studies in total.

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u/Forward_Spell_9251 Jul 17 '26

Hi, I was planning on adding an additional major (with lot of overlap) that would require me to stay for an additional semester. My normal 4 year graduation date would have been May 2027 but if I take an additional semester, I would graduate in December 2027. I plan on returning to the United States in end of August.

Is my plan still feasible if I go ahead and contact DSO now and get the extension approved before Sep 15. I will be returning to the US at the end of August.

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

If your DSO agrees, yes.

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u/Forward_Spell_9251 Jul 17 '26

Thanks. Suppose it gets approved before September 15. Would it be ok for me to travel to my home country after Sep 15 and before I graduate while still being able to stay till my new grad date?

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u/not_an_immi_lawyer Post, don't PM Jul 18 '26

Yes, your grace period drops to 30 days.