Rule published: July 17, 2026 | Effective date: September 15, 2026. If you are currently in the US on an F-1 visa, your four-year clock starts on September 15, 2026.
What changed — and why it matters
For decades, F-1 students in the United States were admitted under what's called Duration of Status (D/S). Under D/S, you were authorized to stay in the US for as long as you were a full-time student in good standing, plus any authorized practical training period, plus a grace period afterward. There was no fixed expiration date on your I-94 — your status was open-ended as long as you maintained enrollment.
On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that eliminates Duration of Status entirely for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa holders (foreign media). Instead, they will now be admitted for a fixed period of time — up to the length of their program or four years, whichever is shorter — after which they must either leave the US, extend their stay, or change to a different visa status.
This is the most significant change to F-1 student immigration rules in a generation.
The four key changes
F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will now be admitted for the length of their academic program (as listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019), up to a maximum of four years. Your I-94 will have an actual end date instead of "D/S." If your program is shorter than four years (like a 2-year master's), you're admitted for the length of the program. If it's longer (like a PhD), you're capped at four years and must apply for an extension.
After completing your program or OPT, you previously had 60 days to depart the US or change your status. That window is now 30 days. This affects what happens after graduation, after your OPT ends, and after any authorized training period. The clock starts the moment your authorized period ends — not when you receive a notification.
If your program extends beyond the four-year admission period — common for PhD students, medical students, and long research programs — you must file a formal Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS before your authorized stay expires. This is a new federal process involving biometrics, filing fees, and processing times that USCIS cannot guarantee.
The filing fee for Form I-765 — used for both initial OPT and STEM OPT extension applications — has increased from $1,685 to $1,780. The EOS application adds a base fee of $370 plus an $85 biometrics fee for students who need to extend beyond four years.
Who is affected
- PhD students (programs typically 5–7 years)
- Medical and law students
- J-1 exchange visitors in long research or teaching programs
- Students who take leave, transfer, or change programs
- Anyone still studying in the US after September 2030
- Undergrad students in standard 4-year programs
- Master's students in 1–2 year programs
- J-1 visitors on short programs (summer, 1-year exchange)
- Students graduating before September 2030
What happens to current students
If you are already in the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa when the rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, you are automatically transitioned to the new system. Your authorized stay is capped at four years from the effective date — meaning your new end date becomes approximately September 15, 2030.
If you expect to still be studying in the US after September 2030 — for example you're a first-year PhD student or in a long medical program — you will need to file an Extension of Stay before that date. Start planning this now with your DSO (Designated School Official).
J-1 students and exchange visitors are equally affected. Your DS-2019 program end date must now align with a fixed admission period. J-2 dependents are also subject to the same fixed-term admission as the primary J-1 holder. Contact your program sponsor or Responsible Officer (RO) — the J-1 equivalent of a DSO — to understand your specific situation.
Importantly, current students do not get to keep their existing open-ended D/S authorization. The transition is automatic on September 15, 2026. You don't need to do anything right now if you'll finish before September 2030, but you should know your new end date.
The Extension of Stay process
For students whose programs run longer than four years, the Extension of Stay is the path forward. Here's what it involves:
- File before your I-94 expires — if your authorized period ends while your extension is pending, you may be considered out of status
- Application fee: $370 base + $85 biometrics = $455 total
- Biometrics appointment required at a USCIS Application Support Center
- Processing time is unpredictable — USCIS has not committed to guaranteed timelines
- Your DSO must update your I-20 before you file — coordinate with your international student office well in advance
If you're in a doctoral program that typically runs 5–7 years, your academic future now depends on a federal extension process. Don't wait until you're close to the deadline. Talk to your international student office as soon as possible and plan to file at least 6 months before your authorized stay ends.
OPT and STEM OPT: what to know
Optional Practical Training is not eliminated by this rule, but the changes around it matter:
- OPT counts within your authorized stay. Your 12 months of post-completion OPT — and 24-month STEM extension, if eligible — fall within your fixed admission period. If you're approaching the 4-year cap, plan accordingly.
- Grace period is now 30 days after OPT ends, down from 60. If your OPT ends without H-1B sponsorship or another status change, you have 30 days to depart.
- I-765 filing fee is now $1,780 for both initial OPT and STEM OPT applications.
- The STEM OPT 180-day rule still applies — if you file your extension on time before OPT expires, USCIS automatically extends your work authorization for 180 days while the application is pending.
Key dates and what happens when
What you should do right now
- Check your program end date. Look at your current I-20 and understand when your program of study is expected to end. Compare it to September 15, 2030.
- Talk to your DSO. Your Designated School Official at your university's international student office is your most important resource. Schedule a meeting to understand how the rule affects your specific situation.
- Know your 4-year clock. If you're already in the US, your clock starts September 15, 2026. Your new end date is September 15, 2030. Set a calendar reminder to revisit this in early 2030 if you'll still be studying.
- Plan your OPT timeline carefully. With the grace period cut to 30 days, you need a clear plan for what happens when OPT ends — whether that's STEM OPT, H-1B sponsorship, or departure.
- Budget for higher fees. OPT now costs $1,780. An Extension of Stay costs $455. Factor these into your financial planning.
- Don't count on a legal challenge to save you. Advocacy groups are challenging this rule in court, but you should plan as if September 15, 2026 is real and final.
If your program ends before September 2030 and you'll leave or switch status after OPT, the main changes for you are the shorter grace period (30 days) and higher OPT fees ($1,780). If you're in a long program — PhD, MD, multi-year research — this rule requires active planning with your international student office starting now.
What hasn't changed
Amid everything, several things remain the same:
- OPT and STEM OPT eligibility — you can still apply for 12 months of post-completion OPT and a 24-month STEM extension if you qualify
- CPT rules are unchanged
- Full-time enrollment requirements and other F-1 maintenance of status rules are not affected
- Travel — you can still travel outside the US and return with a valid visa stamp and current I-20
- On-campus employment is still permitted up to 20 hours per week while school is in session
Is this rule being challenged?
Yes. Advocacy groups including NAFSA (the leading international education association), universities, and immigration lawyers have strongly criticized the rule. Critics argue that the stated justifications — national security and reducing overstays — are not well supported by data, and that the rule disproportionately harms STEM researchers and PhD students who are exactly the kind of global talent the US has historically worked to attract.
Legal challenges are possible and may result in injunctions that delay implementation. However, plan as if the rule takes effect on September 15, 2026 — don't rely on a court ruling to protect you.
This is a fast-moving situation. We'll update this article as new developments occur — including any court orders or DHS guidance. Download the Arrive app to get notified when rules affecting F-1 students change.