F-1/J-1 Student Visas: Fixed 4-Year Stay Replaces Unlimited Duration
Starting September 15, international students and exchange scholars lose the long-standing "Duration of Status" immigration rule and gain a fixed admission end date capped at four years, triggering new extension procedures and stricter academic change requirements.
What's Changing Tomorrow
The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule effective September 15, 2026, which eliminates Duration of Status admission and creates a fixed admission end date for international students in F-1 visa status, changes the process for these students to extend their stays in the United States, and adds restrictions limiting their ability to make academic changes.
For decades, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors could remain in the U.S. indefinitely as long as they complied with visa rules—their I-94 showed simply "D/S" (Duration of Status). Under the new rule, F-1 and J-1 admissions will be tied to the program end date shown on Form I-20 or DS-2019, but generally cannot exceed four years at a time.
Key Changes for Your Status
- Students must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension if they wish to stay beyond their original period of admission.
- The grace period after degree completion has been decreased from 60 days to 30 days.
- The rule also limits "changes in educational objectives" (major or educational level) and transfers to other universities for students in F-1 status.
- If you leave the U.S. and re-enter after September 15, the new rule will apply upon reentry.
Practical Impact for Newcomers
If you are already in the U.S. on F-1 or J-1 status, you will continue under the existing 60-day grace period for now, but the moment you depart and re-enter the country, you will be subject to the new fixed-date system. If you're planning to study longer than four years, enroll in multiple degrees, or take time off for work, you must now file formal extensions with USCIS rather than relying on visa compliance. Before making any major decisions—changing majors, transferring schools, or planning a break from studies—consult your Designated School Official (DSO) or international student advisor, as the application process has become stricter and more complex.
Sources
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