August 6th, 2026
Posted By
Laura Edgerton

On July 16, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security issued a press release announcing a final rule that will eliminate “duration of status” for foreign students (F-1 status), exchange visitors (J-1 status), and international journalists (I visa) and replace it with a “fixed period of admission.” The new regulation will take effect on September 15, 2026.

The new regulation introduced several changes:

  • “Fixed Admission Caps: Nonimmigrant students (F visas) and exchange visitors (J visas) will be admitted for the length of their specific program, not to exceed a maximum period of four years.
  • Mandatory Federal Extensions: Visa holders requiring additional time to complete an academic program must formally apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) directly through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This transitions oversight from university staff back to federal authorities and subjects applicants to biometric vetting, background checks, and fraud screenings.
  • Reduced Departure Grace Period: The time allowed for F-1 students to prepare for departure, transfer schools, or change status following graduation is reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
  • Program Change Restrictions: The rule introduces strict limitations on academic changes.”

“Trump Administration Issues Final Rule to End Foreign Student Visa Abuse: Homeland Security.” U.S. Department of Homeland Security, www.dhs.gov/news/2026/07/16/trump-administration-issues-final-rule-end-foreign-student-visa-abuse. Accessed 29 July 2026.

Tips for F-1 Foreign Students

  • F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors who are physically in the United States in valid status on the rule’s effective date, September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years from the rule’s effective date (i.e. until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s (i.e. until November 14, 2030) and a 30-day grace period for J-1s (i.e. until October 15, 2030). They do not need to file Form I-539 with USCIS just to benefit from this transition period.
  • Students in F-1 or J-1 status who are already in the United States and are planning to make changes to their program, degree, or exchange program, or who need more time to complete their current program, should try to do so before September 15, 2026.
  • New students in F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents who have not yet arrived in the United States are encouraged to enter the country before September 15, 2026.
  • Students with pending extensions or OPT or STEM OPT should not travel internationally as the extension or work permit request may be treated as abandoned.
  • Foreign students and their dependents, who are planning to travel internationally are encouraged to return to the United States before September 15, 2026.
  • F-1 students who are eligible for OPT or STEM OPT before September 15, 2026, should apply to reduce the chance of having to file a Form I-539 to extend their stay.
  • F-1 students who are eligible for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should apply as soon as they are able to file Form I-765.
  • Students who are from one of the 39 travel ban[1] or 75 immigrant visa pause countries[2] (the “travel ban” countries) should not travel internationally for now.
  • Students from the travel ban countries should work with their foreign student offices to apply for OPT/STEM OPT as early as they are eligible.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/

[2] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html

Categories: Immigration Blog