New Rule in Effect: F and J Students Now Admitted for a Fixed Period Instead of 'Duration of Status'
A rule change affecting every international student in the United States is now in effect. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's final rule, published on July 17, 2026, took effect on Sept. 15: F students, J exchange visitors, and I foreign media representatives are no longer admitted for the open-ended 'duration of status,' but for a fixed time period instead.
Under the old system, an F-1 student remained in status as long as they pursued a full course of study, with no printed end date. Now each student receives a defined period of admission. Anyone who needs more time, whether to finish a program or to request post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), must file an extension-of-stay request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the period expires and be approved to remain lawfully.
According to DHS's Study in the States program, the rule is phased in for students who were in the United States before its effective date, and how it applies depends on individual circumstances. Schools' designated school officials (DSOs) also carry clearer duties: completing SEVIS registration no later than 30 days after the start of a session, updating records within 21 days of any change, and keeping each student's program end date accurate in SEVIS and on the Form I-20.
Advisers say deadline management is now an essential skill for international students: check the dates on your passport, I-20, and admission record regularly, and talk to your international student office well before any extension is due. Students unsure how the rule applies to them should consult their DSO or an immigration attorney. (Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：大学生在校园里（资料图）。CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Students on a university campus (file photo). CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
