Last updated: August 6, 2026
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized changes to the Duration of Status (D/S) policy affecting many F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents.
Indiana University is reviewing the final rule and its potential impact on students, scholars, and university operations. This page will be updated as additional guidance becomes available.
Duration of Status refers to the Department of Homeland Security-approved period of time that an international student or exchange visitor could historically remain legally in the United States. This has generally allowed those with specific types of visas (J-1 and F-1) to remain in the country as long as they are making normal progress towards completing their academic or research objectives, or a “duration of status” instead of a specific time period.
For many F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors, admission to the United States was previously granted for the duration of their program rather than until a specific date.
DHS has finalized a rule removing the “Duration of Status” (D/S) provision. Beginning September 15, 2026, many F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents arriving to the U.S. will receive a fixed “admit until” date on their I-94 instead of being admitted for D/S.
Individuals who need additional time to complete their academic program, research objectives, Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, or Academic Training will need to take formal action to extend their stay in the United States.
This change will affect:
Students should review their I-20 program end date to determine whether additional time may be needed to complete degree requirements.
Students entering the United States should review their I-94 record after arrival and confirm the admission period reflected in their immigration records.
Students on OPT or STEM OPT should review their employment authorization dates and consult their international office before making travel or extension plans.
Students should review their DS-2019 program end date and discuss any anticipated program extensions with their international office and their academic department.
Students entering the United States should review their I-94 after arrival and confirm the admission period listed in their immigration records.
J-1 Students who are done with their studies and are on Academic Training (AT) authorized by IU will want to review their AT end date and talk with their international office regarding questions about any remaining AT time.
Student interns should work with their host department and their international office regarding internship dates, program objectives, and immigration status questions.
Scholars should review the program end date on their DS-2019 and consult their host department if additional time may be needed to complete program objectives.
Departments and academic advisors may be asked to help verify academic timelines, remaining degree requirements, or program objectives for students and scholars seeking extensions or other immigration-related support.
The rule becomes effective on September 15, 2026. Additional implementation guidance will be shared as it becomes available.
This regulation means that F-1 students, J-1 students and scholars and their dependents will receive an I-94 with a fixed (or specific) end date, when traveling into the US on or after September 15, 2026. Those students and exchange visitors who would need more time beyond that specific end date to complete their programs (finishing a degree program or a specific research objective), would have to consult with their international office and then apply and pay for a formal extension of stay application to USCIS to remain in the United States.
You should go directly to your international advisor, who can help you with additional information. IU will also host a series of meetings to share information, and those dates will be announced shortly.
For F-1 students admitted for duration of status (D/S on your I-94) who are present in the United States when the final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, do not travel and who timely file for Post-Completion or STEM OPT by March 18, 2027: Your process for Post-Completion or STEM OPT remains the same, and you will not need to file a separate application for an Extension of Stay (EOS).
For F-1 students who travel any time after September 15, 2026 before filing for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT and are readmitted into the United States with a fixed period of admission (a specific date listed in the “Admit Until Date” field on the I-94): You may need to file both an application for an Extension of Stay (EOS) and an application for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT or to travel outside of the US. OPT application processes, including any necessary additional steps as a result of this new regulation, will be added to the OPT and STEM OPT application processes before September 14, 2026.
F-1 students at the undergraduate level will not be permitted to change their majors/educational objectives or schools during the first academic year of the program. Changes after the first academic year are permissible.
F-1 graduate-level students will not be able to change their program of study in any way while in a program of study. This includes transferring to another school, changing degree levels, adding a second degree* and stopping at the master’s level with an I-20 for a PhD program. (*It will still be possible to be in a PhD program and complete a master’s or certificate program while actively engaging in the PhD.) Changing to a higher level of study after completion of a program of study is permissible.
F-1 students, J-1 students and scholars, and their dependents who enter the U.S. on or before September 14, 2026 will continue to receive an I-94 marked D/S, while those entering on or after September 15, 2026 will receive a fixed end date.
Yes. F-2 and J-2 dependents are also impacted because their period of stay is based on the status of the primary F-1 or J-1 individual.
The rule change is not expected to impact incoming Fall 2026 students as long as they arrive in the country on or before September 14, 2026.
Additional guidance for Spring 2027 and future semesters will be provided as it becomes available.
F-1 students, J-1 students and scholars, and their dependents who enter the US on or before September 14, 2026 will still receive an I-94 and period of stay marked “D/S”. Those F and J individuals who enter on or after September 15, 2026 will receive a fixed, or specific, I-94 end date.
Admit Until Date (AUD):This is the end of your Period of Stay and is found on your I-94. If you haven’t travelled outside the U.S. since before September 15, 2026, your I-94 Admit Until Date will still say “D/S”. Knowing and being mindful of your Admit Until Date is important for maintaining your immigration status. Check your I-94 each time you travel as your Admit Until Date may change. Check for any F-2 or J-2 dependents as well. Note: Your AUD includes the period of preparation for departure.
Duration of Status (D/S): Before September 15, 2026, individuals admitted to the U.S. in J and F status were admitted for the “duration” of their status. This rule has been changed by the U.S. government. If you entered the U.S. before September 15, your I-94 will still show “D/S” to mean duration of status. If you travel after September 15, you will be admitted for a fixed period of stay.
Extension of Stay (EOS): EOS is a formal application to the government through USCIS to extend the period of stay for things like a program extension, Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1s, or Academic Training (AT) for J-1s.
Period of Stay: This is the length of your immigration status. It is tied to your program of study and period for preparation for departure, not to exceed 4 years. This means students whose program of study will extend more than 4 years into the future may need to take formal action to extend their period of stay beyond that point.
Program End Date: This is found on your I-20 or DS-2019. This end date is the estimated end of your program, likely from when your document was created. Your Program End Date and Admit Until Date will likely be different. Keeping track of both are important to maintaining your immigration status.
Period of Preparation for Departure: The period of stay includes time to prepare for departure after completing your program: 30 days. This is part of the period of stay and the AUD should reflect this additional time. Students whose I-94 AUD remains “D/S” have a 60-day period of preparation for departure. This was formerly referred to as “grace period.”
Unlawful Presence: Maintaining your immigration status is more important than ever. DHS implemented new policies that will make it even more difficult to fix an immigration status violation. This is part of the important changes related to the new rule. Your I-94 will have a fixed end date rather than D/S (duration of status) which it has had in the past.
If you stay in the U.S. beyond the end of your I-94 period (AUD), you would not be considered in legal immigration status. This can lead to the accrual of days of unlawful presence and in extended cases, deportation proceedings. Also, accruing days of unlawful presence can result in being barred from the U.S. for many years, or even permanently.
Contact your academic advisor, graduate program office, host department, or faculty sponsor.
Additional updates, resources, and information session details will be posted on this page as they become available.
