By The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule in the Federal Register, “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.”
Once the final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, nonimmigrants in the F (academic student) category will be admitted to the United States for a fixed period of time instead of duration of status. F students and designated school officials (DSOs) should review the final rule to understand the changes to the F student lifecycle.
Beginning on September 15, 2026, F students will be admitted for a fixed period of time instead of duration of status. This fixed period of time is based on the length of a student’s program of study listed on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for arrival and an additional 30-day period for departure.
Students who need additional time to complete their program of study, begin a new program of study, or to engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT must apply for an extension of stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission upon reentry.
F students in the United States admitted with duration of status prior to Sept. 15, 2026, can remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their Form I-20 or the end of their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extension, not to exceed Nov. 14, 2030 (four years, plus a 60-day departure period). Additional information about transitioning from duration of status to a fixed period of admission is available in the final rule.
The final rule also introduces new requirements related to F change of education level, change of major, student transfer to a new school and the departure period following completion of a program of study.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) created new resources on Study in the States to help F students and DSOs understand and prepare for implementation of the new rule:
- Elimination of Duration of Status Quick Facts page
- Elimination of Duration of Status Frequently Asked Questions page
SEVP will host a live stakeholder webinar on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT to review major regulatory changes resulting from the final rule and answer frequently asked questions. Visit the Elimination of Duration of Status Quick Facts page for resources and information about the final rule and upcoming webinar.
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