/Office of Global Affairs
Visa and Immigration Services

DHS Final Rule: Elimination of Duration of Status (D/S)

July 22, 2026

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that changes how F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors are admitted to and maintain their status in the United States. The rule takes effect on September 15, 2026.


What Is Changing?

Duration of Status Replaced by 'Admit Until Date'

Previously, F-1 and J-1 students and scholars were admitted to the United States for the duration of their program, known as Duration of Status (D/S). Under the new rule, this will be replaced with a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD).

  • Those entering the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 will receive an AUD matching their I-20 or DS-2019 end date (plus a grace period), or four years from entry - whichever is sooner.
  • Those already in the U.S. on September 15, 2026 may still see D/S on their I-94, but their AUD will be considered their I-20/DS-2019 end date (plus a grace period), or four years from September 15, 2026 — whichever is sooner.

Reduction of Grace Period After Program Completion

  • The grace period for F-1 students will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
  • The grace period for J-1 students and scholars remains 30 days (no change).

New 'Extension of Stay' (EOS) Requirement

Students and scholars who need additional time beyond their AUD will generally need to:

  • File an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS before their AUD expires, or
  • Travel outside the United States and re-enter to receive a new AUD.

Please note

  • This is in addition to, not instead of, extending your I-20 or DS-2019.
  • If your EOS application is filed before your AUD expires, you may continue your studies or research while it is pending.
  • Employment may continue for up to 240 days, provided the EOS application was filed before your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date.

New Restrictions on Changing Educational Objectives

The final rule also places new limitations on changes to a student's educational objective.

  • Undergraduate students may not change their degree level, major, or school during their first academic year.
  • Graduate students will be prohibited from changing their educational objective at any point during their program.
  • Students may only pursue a subsequent degree at a higher educational level than one previously earned.

Who Is Affected?

This rule affects all new and continuing:

  • F-1 Students and their F-2 dependents
  • J-1 Exchange Visitors (including Students, Professors, and Research Scholars) and their J-2 dependents

This rule applies not only to new students and scholars entering the U.S. after September 15, 2026, but also to current F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors already in the United States. However, the impact of the rule may vary depending on your individual situation.

What You Should Do Now

It is important to understand that this rule is comprehensive and changes many long-standing policies, so please follow the information below:

1. Understand of How This Rule Affects You

Below is a detailed breakdown of the rule, and how it affects you based on your visa type. Review the information thoroughly and carefully. As more information becomes available from the Department of Homeland Security, we will update the information on this webpage accordingly.

2. Attend Our Webinar!

Understanding the New F-1 & J-1 Rules: What Students & Scholars Need to Know

VIS will host a webinar explaining the final rule and how it may affect F-1 students, J-1 students, and J-1 scholars.

Date: Monday, August 3, 2026

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Registration: Register for the Webinar

3. Plan Ahead & Speak to VIS
  • Review the program end date on  your current I-20 or DS-2019.
    • Contact VIS immediately if you think you will need more time to complete your degree.
  • Review your most recent Form I-94 record.
    • You can access your I-94 through CBP Website by selecting 'Get Most Recent I-94'.
  • If you were planning on doing any of the following in the near future, before you do, speak to VIS to understand how the new rule will affect you:
      • travel internationally,
      • extend your academic program,
      • apply for OPT or STEM OPT,
      • apply for Academic Training,
      • transfer schools,
      • begin another degree

DHS Final Rule Explained

Under the new DHS Final Rule, F-1 students anf J-1 exchange visitors will no longer be admitted to the United States for Duration of Status (D/S).

Instead, when you enter the United States, you will receive a Form I-94 with a specific Admit Until Date (AUD). In most cases, your AUD will match the program end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, but it cannot be more than four years from the date you are admitted.

If you need more time to complete your F-1 academic program or J-1 program after your I-94 expires, you must extend your authorized stay before your current I-94 expires.

What this means: Your Form I-94 expiration date becomes one of the most important dates you must monitor while studying in the United States.

Examples of the New Four-Year Admission Period

Scenario: You begin a Bachelor's degree program on September 1, 2027. Your Form I-20 end date is August 31, 2031.

Result: CBP would generally admit you until September 30, 2031 (your program end date plus the 30-day grace period).

Scenario: You begin a Master's degree program on September 1, 2027. Your Form I-20 end date is August 31, 2029.

Result: CBP would generally admit you until September 30, 2029 (your program end date plus the 30-day grace period). Your admission period would be based on your program end date, not the full four-year limit.

Scenario: You are already studying in the United States on September 15, 2026, when the new rule takes effect. Your current Form I-20 end date is May 20, 2028.

Result: Your F-1 status will expire on July 19, 2028 if you remain in the U.S. throughout that time. You are not issued a new Form I-94. If you depart the U.S. before July 19, 2028, you will be issued a new I-94 upon admission with a shorter grace period (Admit Until Date:  June 19, 2028).

Scenario: You begin your J-1 exchange visitor program on September 1, 2027. Your Form DS-2019 end date is August 31, 2029.

Result: CBP would generally admit you until September 30, 2029 (your program end date plus the 30-day grace period). Your admission period would be based on your program end date, not the full four-year limit.

Scenario: Your Form I-20 or DS-2019 shows a program end date more than four years after your admission to the United States.

Result: Your Form I-94 would expire before your Form I-20/DS-2019 end date. You would need to request an extension of your stay through USCIS before your Form I-94 expires.

Scenario: You begin your research program on September 1, 2027, with a DS-2019 ending August 31, 2030.

Result: CBP would generally admit you until September 30, 2030 (your program end date plus the 30-day grace period).

Scenario: Your DS-2019 reflects a five-year research appointment beginning September 1, 2027.

Result: Your Form I-94 would generally expire four years after admission, before your DS-2019 end date. To remain in the United States for the fifth year, you must obtain additional authorization before your I-94 expires.

Remember: Your Form I-20 end date and your Form I-94 expiration date may be different under the new rule. Always check your Form I-94 expiration date and take action before it expires.