Immigration Updates
End of Duration of Status (D/S)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ended “Duration of Status” (D/S) for international students and scholars, replacing it with a fixed admission period. This rule was finalized by DHS on July 17, 2026, and applies to new and current F-1/J-1 students.
Effective September 15, 2026
What’s Changed Key Points What You Should Do Now Frequently Asked Questions Contact US
What's Changed
Before
Admitted for Duration of Status: no fixed end date, tied to maintaining status.
Now
Admitted for a fixed period: your program length on the I-20 or DS-2019, up to a maximum of 4 years, plus a 30-day arrival window and a 30-day departure window.
Key Points
- Your Form I-94 will now show a specific end date, your program length on the I-20/DS-2019 up to a maximum of 4 years, instead of “D/S.”
- The departure grace period after completing or stopping your program shrinks from 60 days to 30 days. A new 30-day arrival grace period is added before your program start date.
- If you cannot finish your program within your admission period, you must file Form I-539 with USCIS for an extension before your status expires, or leave the U.S. and re-enter.
- Once your fixed admission period expires without an approved extension, unlawful presence begins accruing immediately. There is no automatic buffer.
- Restrictions apply to changing schools or academic programs within your first year, and to starting a new program at the same or lower level after completing one.
- This rule applies to both current and incoming F-1/J-1 students. For students currently in D/S status, transition provisions will determine how and when the new fixed admission period is set. ISS is reviewing this individually for every student.
What You Should Do Now
- Check your current Form I-94 and I-20 program end date at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
- Mark your program end date and the 30-day grace period on your calendar.
- If you will not finish your program by that date, meet with ISS now to plan an extension (Form I-539) before it expires.
- Avoid international travel near your program end date until your status is confirmed with ISS.
FAQ
What if I never travel? Will I keep D/S for my entire time here?
Current F-1 or J-1 students admitted under D/S who are present in the United States before September 15, 2026, may remain in the United States without applying for an Extension of Stay (EOS) up to their program end date on their Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students), or post-completion OPT/STEM OPT end date, but not beyond November 14, 2030 (four years, plus a 60-day departure period). Students must apply for an EOS with USCIS if they wish to remain in the United States beyond this date.
What’s the difference between a Program Extension and an Extension of Stay (EOS)?
Program Extension: An update to your program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019, issued directly by ISS. Needed when you require additional time to complete your degree requirements. There is no government filing fee for this.
Extension of Stay (EOS): A formal application submitted to USCIS to extend your authorized period of stay (your I-94 “Admit Until Date”). Required under the new rule if your AUD is approaching and you need to remain in the U.S. past that date, for example, to finish your degree, start OPT/STEM OPT, or change education levels. This requires paying USCIS government processing fees (currently $420 online / $470 by mail for Form I-539), or traveling and re-entering with a new I-20/DS-2019.
How does travel affect my status after Sept. 15, 2026?
Entering before Sept. 15, 2026: You keep D/S as long as you and any dependents remain in the U.S. without further international travel during the transition period. F-1 students retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and OPT/STEM OPT applicants keep the standard 60-day filing window without needing a separate EOS, as long as they apply before March 18, 2027.
Entering on or after Sept. 15, 2026: You will be admitted with a fixed I-94 “Admit Until Date” (up to 4 years, your program end date, or your passport expiration date, whichever is shortest). The post-completion grace period drops to 30 days, and OPT/STEM OPT applicants must file an EOS (Form I-539) alongside their OPT application (Form I-765) within a 30-day filing window.
Can I keep working while my Extension of Stay is pending?
If you file your EOS before your Admit Until Date expires (including before the 30-day departure period begins), you may continue on-campus employment, off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, and CPT for up to 240 days while the application is pending.
If you file during the 30-day departure period, you must stop all employment until the extension is approved.
J-1 students with an approved AUD may continue Academic Training for up to 240 days while an EOS is pending, provided it was filed before the DS-2019 program end date; applications filed during the 30-day grace period do not receive this 240-day continuation.
Can I change my major, degree level, or school?
Undergraduate students must complete one full academic year at their current school before transferring or changing their educational objective, unless the government authorizes an exception (rare).
Graduate students (Master’s and Ph.D.) are prohibited from changing their educational objective or transferring schools during their program, unless SEVP grants a rare exception for extenuating circumstances. After completing a program, students cannot begin a new program at the same or lower educational level. ISS is awaiting further government guidance on this topic.
Does this affect my dependents (F-2/J-2)?
Yes.
F-2 and J-2 dependents are subject to the same fixed-date admission system. When a dependent enters the U.S., their I-94 end date will match the principal F-1 or J-1 student’s authorized stay and will no longer reflect Duration of Status. If more time is needed, dependents must also apply for an EOS.
Questions?
Talk to a Designated School Official (DSO). This rule is complex, and every student’s situation is different. Before making any decisions about your I-20, travel, or extension of stay, meet with an ISS adviser.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISS)
235 West Quad
E:
P: 718.951.4477
Schedule an appointment with an adviser.
Based on the DHS final rule published July 17, 2026 (effective September 15, 2026). This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Guidance may be updated as SEVP and USCIS issue further instructions.