Duration of Status Rule Change
This page is intended as a resource for students, faculty, staff and scholars at ĢƵ.
On Friday, July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to end “duration of status” (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants among other significant changes.
The final rule changes the admission period for F and J nonimmigrants to a fixed period of time. F and J nonimmigrants who need additional time to complete their studies or exchange program will have to file a request to extend their status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in addition to working with their international advisor to obtain an extended I-20 or DS-2019.
The International Student and Scholar Engagement office is actively reviewing and analyzing the rule. We will provide information to students and scholars impacted by the rule and to SDSU employees and departments.
There will be a 60-day implementation period before the new rule takes effect on Sept. 15, 2026.
What has changed? There are three parts:
End of Duration of Status
Beginning Sept. 15, 2026, DHS will end “Duration of Status” (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars and implement an “Admit Until Date” (AUD). D/S allowed students and scholars to remain in the US for as long as they maintained their status. Now, instead of being admitted for the length of your academic program, you will only be admitted for a fixed period of time listed on your I-94 arrival record when you enter the United States. This period of admission cannot exceed a maximum of four years. If your program is longer than four years, you will be required to either file an Extension of Stay (Form I-539) to cover the remainder of your program or depart and reenter the US to create a new I-94 record.
Your I-94 will now play a central role in determining how long you are authorized to remain in the United States. You will need to make sure you know that date in order to timely file an extension of stay.
Academic Restrictions
This rule includes new restrictions on changes to academic programs. Key limitations include:
- Undergraduate students must complete one full academic year at their current school before they are permitted to transfer to another institution or change their educational objective (such as changing majors or educational levels), unless the U.S. government authorizes an exception. We are awaiting further guidance from the government.
- Graduate-level students (Master's and Ph.D.) are prohibited from changing their educational objective or transferring to another school during their program, unless the U.S. government (SEVP) grants a rare exception for extenuating circumstances. We are awaiting further guidance from the government.
- All students: After completing a program, students cannot begin a new program at the same or lower educational level (for example: completing a master’s degree and then beginning a second master’s degree). After Sept. 15, you can only move to a higher education level.
Shortened Grace Period
The grace period for F-1 students is currently 60 days. This period is time to start a new program, transfer to a new school, or apply for OPT if you did not before your program end date. Now, F-1 students will have a 30-day grace period like J-1 student and scholars do.
What does AUD mean?
The Admit Until Date (AUD) is the maximum period of admission to the United States and is the last day a you are authorized to stay in the United States. Students and scholars cannot remain lawfully present in the United States beyond their AUD and must depart the United States or take action to maintain status before their AUD expires.
After Sept. 15, 2026, your Admit Until Date (AUD) will default to your program end date, not to exceed four years (Nov. 14, 2030). If you are on OPT or STEM OPT, your AUD will become the last day of your work authorization.
What will this look like?
When you reach the Admit Until Date (AUD) on your I-94, your program end, or graduate and start a new program or transfer, you will need to file for an extension of stay using the form I-539 after receiving a new I-20 showing the change. You can also travel outside of the US and re-enter with the new I-20 to get a new AUD.
If you are applying for OPT, you’ll need to file the I-765 (OPT app) and the I-539 (Extension of Stay app).
Is there a transition period?
Yes and no.
There is no transition for the academic restrictions; they will take effect on Sept. 15, 2026.
If you do not leave the US and/or return before Sept. 15:
- Your 60-day grace period will remain.
- For those who apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, you will not need to complete the I-539 with your OPT application. However, the I-539 will become necessary on and after March 18, 2027.
If you leave and re-enter on or after Sept. 15:
- Your grace period will be shortened to 30 days.
- For those who apply for OPT or STEM OPT, an I-539 Extension of Stay application will be necessary with the I-539.
What can you do now?
Start the process to update your program if necessary so that the changes are done before Sept. 15:
- Check the program end date on your I-20. Do you need more time?
- Convert from M.S. to Ph.D. or vice versa.
- Check your most recent I-20 to ensure the major listed is correct.
- Change majors or add a second major.
- Write down your questions as you think of them.
- Keep informed: watch for announcements from ISSE and focus on reputable sources of information like , , law firms, immigration nonprofits, etc.
How does this affect my dependents?
F-2 and J-2 dependents are also subject to the new fixed-date admission system. When a dependent enters the United States, their I-94 end date will match the principal F-1 or J-1’s authorized stay and will no longer reflect Duration of Status (D/S). F-2 dependents also need to apply for an extension of stay to remain in the United States beyond their Admit Until Date.
What is the cost and procedure for an Extension of Stay?
The Extension of Stay application (I-539) costs $470 and can be completed online. There is no premium processing available for this application. You’ll need to file this form to do a program extension, move to a higher educational level, or apply for OPT. Once you have the new I-20 reflecting the necessary change, you file the I-539. Don’t forget, you can also leave the US and re-enter with the new I-20 if you have a valid visa. ISSE can help you with the advantages and disadvantages of an extension application and travel/re-entry, but we will never recommend which you do.
