The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has published a final rule replacing the longstanding “duration of status,” or “D/S,” framework for certain nonimmigrant categories with fixed periods of admission.
The final rule was published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, and is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. It primarily affects F students, J exchange visitors, I representatives of foreign information media, and their dependents.

What Is Changing?
Under the previous system, many F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors received a Form I-94 marked “D/S” rather than a specific expiration date. They were generally permitted to remain in the United States for the duration of their authorized academic or exchange program, provided they continued to comply with the conditions of their status.
Under the new rule, affected individuals will generally be admitted for the length of their authorized program or activity, for no more than four years at a time. Their authorized period of stay will be shown as a specific “admit until” date on Form I-94.
The expiration date on Form I-94 is different from the expiration date printed on a visa stamp. A visa generally permits a person to request admission to the United States, while Form I-94 determines the period for which the person has been admitted.

Extension of Stay
F or J nonimmigrants who need to remain in the United States beyond the expiration date shown on Form I-94 may be required to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) for an extension of stay.
An extension of the program end date on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 may not automatically extend the period of admission shown on Form I-94. The individual may therefore need separate approval from USCIS.
Extension requests will be subject to formal review and will not be approved automatically. Individuals who need additional time should begin evaluating the extension process well before the expiration of their authorized stay.

Alternatively, instead of filing Form I-539 to request an extension of stay from within the United States, an F-1 student may depart the United States, apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate if necessary, and seek readmission in F-1 status. Students considering this option should be aware that visa issuance and readmission are subject to separate review and are not guaranteed.

Individuals Currently Admitted for D/S
The final rule includes transitional provisions for individuals admitted for D/S before September 15, 2026.
F and J nonimmigrants who are maintaining valid D/S status in the United States when the rule takes effect may not be required to obtain a new date-specific Form I-94 immediately. Their authorized stay will instead be determined under the transition provisions in the final rule.
International travel may change the analysis. Individuals who depart and seek readmission on or after September 15, 2026 will generally be inspected under the new fixed-period framework and may receive a Form I-94 containing a specific expiration date.
Restrictions on Changing Majors
The final rule imposes significant restrictions on changes of major or educational objective by F-1 students.
Students enrolled in programs below the graduate level generally may not change their major during the first academic year. SEVP may authorize an exception where extenuating circumstances exist.
Students enrolled at the graduate level or above generally may not change their major or educational objective at any point during their program of study.
For purposes of the rule, an educational objective includes the student’s educational level or major. Students should consult their Designated School Official (“DSO”) before making any academic change.

Restrictions on School Transfers
F-1 students enrolled below the graduate level generally may not transfer to another school during the first academic year of their program. They must complete the first academic year at the school that initially issued their Form I-20, unless SEVP authorizes an exception due to extenuating circumstances.
Students enrolled at the graduate level or above generally may not transfer to another school at any point during their program of study unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
DHS has indicated that an exception may be appropriate in circumstances such as a school closure, a prolonged inability to provide in-person instruction, or another qualifying circumstance outside the student’s control.
Restrictions After Program Completion
After completing a program of study, an F-1 student will generally be permitted to begin another F-1 program only at a higher educational level.
Students will be prohibited from:

  • Changing to a program at a lower educational level, such as moving from a master’s degree program to a bachelor’s degree program; or
  • Changing to another program at the same educational level, such as moving from one bachelor’s degree program to another bachelor’s degree program.

The restriction applies not only to students seeking to remain in F-1 status, but also to those seeking a new F-1 admission or a change to F-1 status based on a same- or lower-level program.
Programs completed before the effective date of the rule will not count toward these limitations.
Shorter Departure Period
The final rule reduces the general post-completion departure period for F-1 students from 60 days to 30 days.
F-1 students will generally have 30 days to depart the United States or otherwise seek to maintain lawful status after completing:

  • Their academic program;
  • Post-completion Optional Practical Training (“OPT”); or
  • A STEM OPT extension.

If a student ends a program or training period before the expiration date initially shown on Form I-94, the 30-day period will generally be calculated from the actual end of the study or training period.
The 30-day period does not independently authorize employment.
English-Language Training Programs
F-1 students enrolled in English-language training programs will be limited to an aggregate admission period of 24 months.
They will also receive an additional 30-day period to prepare for departure or otherwise seek to maintain lawful status.
DHS describes the 24-month limit as an aggregate restriction designed to prevent indefinite enrollment in successive English-language programs.
Public High School Students
F-1 students attending a public high school will continue to be limited to an aggregate of no more than 12 months of study.
For purposes of this restriction, a public high school may include a charter school or another similar school funded by U.S. taxpayers. The 12-month period includes school breaks and annual vacations.
Border Commuter Students
Part-time border commuter students will continue to be admitted for a fixed period under the rules specifically applicable to that category.
They are not governed by the general four-year maximum in the same manner as other F-1 students. Their period of admission will continue to be determined under the border-commuter provisions of the regulations.
Admission Before the Program Start Date
F and J nonimmigrants will continue to be permitted to enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date listed on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
The period before the program start date will not be counted against the maximum four-year program period. The authorized admission period will generally be calculated by reference to the program end date rather than solely from the date of entry.

Effects on OPT and STEM OPT
The fixed-admission framework may also affect F-1 students applying for OPT or a STEM OPT extension.
Students should determine whether the expiration date on Form I-94 covers the full requested period of employment authorization. Depending on the circumstances, separate action may be required both to obtain employment authorization and to extend the underlying F-1 period of stay.
The filing or approval of an employment authorization application should not automatically be assumed to extend the student’s underlying admission period unless the applicable regulation or agency guidance expressly provides otherwise.
Recommended Steps
F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents should consider the following:

  • Download the most recent Form I-94 and confirm whether it shows “D/S” or a specific date.
  • Verify that the information and program dates on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 are accurate.
  • Compare the expiration dates on all immigration documents.
  • Obtain advice before traveling on or after September 15, 2026.
  • Prepare any required extension application before the Form I-94 expiration date.
  • Consult the appropriate school official before changing majors, transferring schools, or beginning another degree.
  • Review whether special limits apply to English-language training, public high school study, or border-commuter status.
  • Seek individualized legal advice where OPT, STEM OPT, previous status issues, or pending applications are involved.

Conclusion
The replacement of D/S with fixed admission periods represents a significant change for international students and exchange visitors.
Beginning September 15, 2026, affected individuals will need to pay close attention to the expiration date on Form I-94. They will also face new restrictions concerning changes of major, school transfers, enrollment in same- or lower-level programs, English-language study, and the period permitted to depart after completing a program or practical training.
Students and exchange visitors should carefully review their immigration documents and seek appropriate guidance before making decisions involving program extensions, academic changes, employment authorization, transfers, or international travel.
Official Announcements and Full Text
The complete text of the final rule is titled:
“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.”
Official sources:

Disclaimer
This publication is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration regulations, implementation procedures, and agency guidance may change. The effect of the final rule will depend on each person’s admission record, immigration history, program documentation, employment authorization, travel, and other individual circumstances. Readers should consult qualified U.S. immigration counsel regarding their particular situation.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws and agency practice change; consult an attorney about your specific situation.