Learn about the changes for F-1 and J-1 students starting September 15, 2026. We'll tell you what you need to know, how travel, extensions, and pending procedures will work.
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If you have an F-1 or J-1 visa, there is a change in the rules for staying in the United States that you should know before the September 15, 2026.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule on July 17, 2026, changing how the admission period for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors is determined. The rule replaces the system known as Duration of Status (D/S) for admission periods with a specific date. Its effective date is scheduled for September 15, 2026, although DHS indicated that it could modify or terminate the rule as a result of Congressional review.
Until now, F-1 students and many J-1 visitors have been admitted under Duration of Status, or D/S. Simply put, this allows you to remain in the United States while maintaining your status and complying with the program's conditions, including authorized periods after its completion.
Under the new rule, F and J admissions will now have a fixed term. Form I-94 It will have a specific admission date, known as Admit Until Date (AUD), instead of indicating D/S.
For new admissions, the admission period may not exceed four years or the program completion date indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019, whichever occurs first, with the corresponding grace period.
For an F-1 student, D/S generally covered the time required to complete the authorized program, perform certain activities such as OPT when applicable, and complete the permitted period of departure from the United States. For a J-1 student, it covered the period of program participation plus the authorized period of departure.
The new system changes the logic: instead of depending exclusively on maintaining status, the I-94 will have a specific date.
This should not be confused with the validity of the visa.
The visa It allows a person to travel to a U.S. port of entry and apply for admission in a specific category. It does not, on its own, determine how long they can remain in the country.
The admission It is the authorization granted upon entry. The I-94 records this admission and, under the new rule, will indicate a specific date. Immigration status also depends on the person continuing to meet the requirements of their category.
For example, an F-1 visa may still be valid even if the I-94 has a different date. Therefore, to know how long you are authorized to stay, you shouldn't only look at the visa's expiration date.
There is no general procedure that all F-1 and J-1 applicants must complete before that date.
If you are already in the United States, were admitted under D/S, and are properly maintaining your status on September 15, 2026, the rule establishes a transition. You will not need to immediately request that your I-94 be changed to a specific date.
During that transition, you may remain under D/S until the termination date of your program indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019, or until four years after the rule takes effect, whichever comes first.
This means that the entry into force does not automatically make all current students required to submit a new form.
For an F-1 that is properly registered and under D/S on September 15, transitional protection remains in place. The same logic applies to J-1s that meet the transition conditions.
However, special attention must be paid to the program's end date and any subsequent activities, such as OPT or STEM OPT. If the student needs to stay longer than permitted, the Extension of Stay (EOS) procedure may apply.
In addition, F-1 D/S students who timely submit a post-graduation OPT application or a STEM OPT extension by March 18, 2027, may benefit from a transitional provision that, in certain circumstances, avoids also submitting an extension of stay application.
Those admitted under the new rule will receive an admission period with a specific date on the I-94.
As a general rule, that period will be up to four years or until the program completion date indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019, whichever comes first.
The new regulation does not eliminate the possibility of extending the stay.
If a student needs to remain in the United States beyond the date on their I-94 to complete their program or other authorized activity, they may need to apply for an Extension of Stay with USCIS.
The procedure will be carried out using Form I-539 when applicable. The educational institution or sponsor must keep the I-20 or DS-2019 properly updated, but the decision regarding the extension rests with USCIS.
The I-94 date becomes especially important under the new system.
This is one of the points that those with international trips planned should check most carefully.
F-1 students and J-1 visitors who are under D/S on September 15 and remain in the United States during the transition do not need to automatically correct their I-94.
But if they leave the country during that transition and return after September 15, CBP will issue them a new I-94 with a specific date. In other words, re-entry could trigger their entry into the new system.
Before traveling, it is advisable to check your visa, I-20 or DS-2019, I-94 and the status of the program, especially if your return will be after September 15.
The new rule does not replace existing processes with USCIS, SEVIS, or educational institutions.
An extension of stay, a change of status, a reinstatement, or other procedures must be analyzed according to their own rules. There are also specific provisions for certain OPT and STEM OPT applications.
SEVIS manages information on students and exchange visitors, while USCIS decides on certain immigration applications, such as extensions of stay.
In addition, a person who files a change of status application with USCIS should be especially careful with international travel while the case is pending, as leaving the United States can affect that application.
This isn't about filing a claim as a precaution. It's about understanding how the new rule will affect your situation.
Before the effective date, check:
The change on September 15, 2026, replaces D/S with a date-determined admission period system for F-1 and J-1.
But not all students have to do something that day.
Those already in the United States under D/S status who are properly maintaining their status will have a smooth transition. New arrivals will be subject to an I-94 with a specific date of entry. Those needing to remain beyond their authorized period may require an extension of stay.
And there's a rule of thumb to remember: your visa expiration date isn't necessarily the date you can stay in the United States until. Always check your I-94 and the documents that support your program.
If you are an F-1 or J-1 citizen and have an upcoming trip, are finishing your studies, or have a pending procedure, reviewing your situation before September 15 can help you anticipate what changes and whether you need to take any action.
At AsisVisa, we can help you review your case and guide you on the next steps. Schedule an evaluation with our team and prepare for this change with clear information tailored to your immigration status.
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