On this page: Fixed Period of Admission and Extension of Stay • Reduced Grace Period • Transition Rules for Current F-1 and J-1 Students • OPT and STEM OPT Transition Rules • Limits on Transfers and Academic Changes for F-1 Students • Limits on Starting a New Program • Frequently Asked Questions • Additional Resources
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule, Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure, that is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. The rule will eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants and replace it with a fixed end date for the authorized period of stay. The rule also limits certain academic changes for F-1 students.
We are continuing to analyze the rule and impact on students and the university.
On August 18, 2026, litigation was initiated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts related to this new rule. We will provide updates immediately should that litigation impact implementation of the rule.
Fixed Period of Admission and Extension of Stay
Beginning September 15, 2026, if you are an F or J student, you will be admitted to the United States until the program end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, for a period of no more than four years, plus a 30-day grace period. This date, called the Admit Until Date (AUD), will be recorded on your Form I-94.
If you need to remain in the United States beyond your AUD, you must take action. You may:
- request an updated I-20 or DS-2019 from ISS and file Form I-539 for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your AUD expires; or
- leave the United States and seek readmission with a valid passport and visa to receive a new AUD.
Reduced Grace Period
The final rule reduces the grace period for F-1 students following completion of studies from 60 days to 30 days. The grace period for J-1 students remains 30 days.
Transition Rules for Current F-1 and J-1 Students
If you were admitted for Duration of Status (D/S) and are present in the United States on September 15, 2026, you may remain until:
- your I-20 or DS-2019 Program End Date, up to four years, plus a 60-day grace period (F-1) or 30-day grace period (J-1); or
- your EAD end date, if you are an F-1 student on OPT or STEM OPT, plus a 60-day grace period.
Your transitional period of authorized stay cannot exceed four years from September 15, 2026, plus the applicable grace period. DHS has calculated the maximum authorized stay as November 14, 2030, for F-1 students and October 15, 2030, for J-1 students. If you need more time, you may need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or leave and seek readmission.
If you are an F-1 student covered by this transition provision, you will continue to have a 60-day grace period until you leave and re-enter the United States or receive an Extension of Stay (EOS) from USCIS. After either occurs, you will receive a new Admit Until Date (AUD) that includes a 30-day grace period.
Transition Examples
These examples assume no other change to your immigration status or authorized stay.
Example 1: Program ends before the transition maximum
Your Program End Date is May 20, 2027, and you do not travel outside the U.S. after September 15, 2026. You may remain through your Program End Date, plus the applicable grace period:
- F: 60 days (July 19, 2027)
- J: 30 days (June 19, 2027)
Example 2: Program extends beyond the transition maximum
Your Program End Date is May 20, 2031, and you do not travel outside the U.S. after September 15, 2026. The transition maximum applies:
- F: November 14, 2030
- J: October 15, 2030
You may need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or leave and seek readmission if you need more time to complete your degree.
These examples assume no other change to your immigration status or authorized stay, and you were admitted to the U.S. for Duration of Status.
Example 3: Program ends before the transition maximum and you travel after September 15, 2026
Your Program End Date is May 20, 2027, and you leave and re-enter the United States after September 15, 2026. The transition provision no longer applies. Upon readmission, your AUD will generally be your Program End Date, up to four years, plus the 30-day grace period: June 19, 2027.
Example 4: Program extends beyond the transition maximum and you travel after September 15, 2026
Your Program End Date is May 20, 2031, and you leave and re-enter the United States on January 1, 2027. The transition provision no longer applies. Because your Program End Date is more than four years after your readmission, your period of admission is limited to four years, plus the 30-day grace period: January 31, 2031.
You may need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or leave and seek readmission if you need more time to complete your degree.
Example 5: Program extends beyond the transition maximum and you travel after September 15, 2026
Your Program End Date is May 20, 2031, and you leave and re-enter the United States on January 1, 2028. The transition provision no longer applies. Upon readmission, your AUD will generally be your Program End Date, up to four years, plus the 30-day grace period: June 19, 2031.
OPT and STEM OPT Transition Rules
If you were admitted for Duration of Status (D/S), are present in the United States on September 15, 2026, and file Form I-765 for OPT or STEM OPT with USCIS by March 18, 2027, you do not also need to file Form I-539 for an Extension of Stay (EOS).
If you leave the United States before filing Form I-765 for OPT or STEM OPT, you will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) when you reenter. You must then file both Form I-765 for OPT or STEM OPT and Form I-539 for an EOS.
Limits on Transfers and Academic Changes for F-1 Students
The final rule introduces new restrictions on transfers and changes of educational objectives, which DHS generally defines as your major or educational level.
If you are an undergraduate student, you cannot change your educational objective or transfer to another school during your first academic year.
If you are a graduate student, you cannot change your educational objective or transfer to another school at any time during your program of study.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) may approve exceptions based on extenuating circumstances. SEVP defines extenuating circumstances narrowly as rare, exceptional events beyond the control of the school and affected students that prevent the school from continuing to provide the approved course of study, such as a school closure or natural disaster.
DHS may delay implementation of rules pertaining to change of educational objectives and transfer for up to two years if it determines implementation is infeasible for any reason.
Limits on Starting a New Program
If you are an F-1 student and complete a program after September 15, 2026, you cannot begin another program at the same or a lower educational level.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are currently in F or J status, continue to maintain your status and review ISS updates as additional guidance becomes available. Before traveling, extending your program, transferring schools, or making academic changes, review the applicable requirements.
If you will be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT by March 18, 2027, consider your application and travel plans carefully. You may apply to USCIS up to 90 days before your Program End Date or EAD end date. The OPT transition rules and your decision to travel may affect whether you need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS. Meet with an international student advisor if you have questions.
The grace period provides additional time after you complete your program or authorized practical training to prepare to leave the United States.
You may not leave and re-enter the United States during your grace period unless you have taken another action that permits you to return in valid status. If you depart the United States during your grace period without taking another action, any remaining grace period is lost.
Yes. If you need additional time beyond your Admit Until Date (AUD), you may be eligible to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS).
As part of your EOS application, you must be able to demonstrate that your need for additional time is based on an eligible reason, such as:
- a compelling academic reason, such as a change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, a change in faculty advisor, or research funding delays;
- a documented illness or medical condition that provides a compelling medical reason for the extension; or
- circumstances beyond your control, such as a natural disaster, national health crisis, or closure of an institution.
Delays caused by academic probation or suspension, or by repeatedly being unable or unwilling to complete your course of study, are not acceptable reasons for an extension.
USCIS determines whether you meet the requirements and whether to approve your EOS.
An Extension of Stay (EOS) involves both ISS and USCIS.
Before applying, you must work with an international student advisor. Your advisor will update your Program End Date, if needed, and issue you an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019. Your I-20 or DS-2019 must be extended before your current Program End Date.
You must then file Form I-539 for an EOS with USCIS. You may file with USCIS up to 180 days before your authorized stay expires. USCIS must receive your application before your Admit Until Date (AUD) expires.
A program extension and EOS are different processes. A program extension updates the Program End Date on your I-20 or DS-2019. An EOS requests additional time from USCIS to remain in the United States beyond your AUD.
If you file Form 1-539 for an Extension of Stay (EOS) before your Program End Date, you will be considered to be in a period of authorized stay and may continue full course of study. You will also retain eligible employment for up to 240 days (e.g. on-campus employment, CPT, pre-completion OPT, severe economic hardship).
If you file Form 1-539 for an Extension of Stay (EOS) after your Program End Date but before the end of your grace period, you will be considered to be in a period of authorized stay and may continue full course of study. However, you are not eligible to work during this time.
The four-year limit is not a lifetime or cumulative limit on how long you may study in the United States. Under the new rule, the four-year limit applies to the period of admission or Extension of Stay (EOS) granted at one time.
If you need additional time beyond your Admit Until Date (AUD) to complete your current program, you may apply for an EOS with USCIS.
If you were admitted for D/S, are present in the United States on September 15, 2026, do not depart the U.S., and timely file Form I-765 for OPT with USCIS by March 18, 2027, you do not also need to file Form I-539 for an Extension of Stay (EOS) under the transition provision.
If you do not meet these requirements, an EOS application may be required. We will update the ISS website with additional OPT and EOS instructions as implementation guidance becomes available.
DHS has not clarified whether the restrictions on changing educational objectives apply to adding a second major. We are continuing to review available guidance and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
The new rule does not prohibit international travel. However, travel may change how the new rules apply to you.
If you are covered by the D/S transition rules and leave the United States, you may be admitted under the new fixed-period-of-admission rules. If admitted, you will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94 based on the Program End Date on your I-20 or DS-2019, up to four years, plus the 30-day grace period.
Review the Travel and Announcements pages for other considerations that may impact travel.
The new rule places restrictions on when F-1 students may transfer to another school.
If you are an undergraduate student, you cannot transfer schools during your first academic year. If you are a graduate student, you cannot transfer schools during your program of study. SEVP may approve exceptions based on extenuating circumstances.
If you are eligible to transfer, you may also need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS.
DHS may delay implementation of the transfer restrictions for up to two years if it determines implementation is infeasible. Check the Announcements page for the latest information.