On and after the effective date of September 15, 2026, the following applies to all F and J visa holders:
- Fixed admission period on the I-94 arrival record instead of Duration of Status (D/S) not to exceed 4 years
- Must file a formal Extension of Stay (EOS) I-539 application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend stay in the U.S.
- Restrictions on Changing Programs/ Majors or Transferring Out
- Lateral or reverse degree changes nor permitted (ex. Master’s to master's or master's to bachelor's)
- F visa grace periods go from 60 to 30 days
Below is further detail on the main changes within the rule:
1. Fixed-Date Admissions to the United States (4 Year Maximum Period of Admission):
Starting on September 15, 2026 and thereafter individuals applying for admission to the U.S. in either F or J status (F-1 students, F-2 dependents, J-1 exchange visitors, and J-2 dependents) will be admitted for a fixed date, recorded on the F or J nonimmigrant's Form I-94, that would be limited to the program end date noted on their Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years, plus a period of 30 days following their program end date.
If you remain in the U.S. beyond your I-94 expiration or Admit Until Date without taking timely action to file an Extension of Stay (I-539) with USCIS, you will begin accruing unlawful presence.
2. Formal I-539 extension of stay process with USCIS:
If you need more time to complete your program or academic objectives, apply for employment authorization, or begin a new program, all F and J visa holders will need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application (Form I-539) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must take this additional steps to remain lawfully present in the United States.
Those students or departments on behalf of scholars must request a program extension from the Office of Internaional Affairs, if necessary, and then following receipt of the new Form I-20 or DS-2019 must apply for an Extension of Stay with USCIS. When applying for an Extension of Stay request with USCIS, students and scholars must complete and timely file the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” pay the required filing fee and provide required biometrics. For additional information about the Extension of Stay process, refer to the Elimination of Duration of Status Frequently Asked Questions page and USCIS extension of stay resources.
International students or scholars with unexpired visas who choose to travel may also apply for admission with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry and receive a new Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” with a new period of admission based on their updated Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record and supporting documentation, subject to eligibility and admissibility requirements.
3. Restrictions on Changing Programs/ Majors or Transferring Out:
Undergraduate level international students are not permitted to change programs, majors, or educational levels within the first academic year of their program.
Graduate level international students are not permitted to change programs at any point during their program of study.
4. Prohibition on lateral or reverse matriculation:
If an international student completes a program at a particular level, they would not be eligible to undertake a program at the same level or a lower level.
5. Shorter Grace Period for F-1s:
The current 60-day grace period for individuals in F visa status, during which time they can remain in the U.S. and prepare to depart, transfer to another program, or apply to change status, would be replaced with a 30-day grace period, similar to students/scholars in J visa status.
