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United StatesStudent Visa

US replaces 'duration of status' with a fixed admission period for F-1 students

Status: In effect

A Department of Homeland Security final rule, effective 15 September 2026, admits F and J students for the length of their programme — up to four years — instead of 'duration of status'. Students who need more time must apply to USCIS for an extension, and the F-1 post-study grace period falls from 60 to 30 days.

What changed

  • F and J students are admitted for a fixed period up to their programme end date, not exceeding four years, instead of 'duration of status'.
  • Students who need more time, or want to start a new programme, must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay.
  • The time F-1 students have to prepare to depart after completing a course or post-completion practical training falls from 60 to 30 days.
  • F-1 students at graduate level or above may not change educational objective during a programme, and may not transfer unless SEVP authorises an exception for extenuating circumstances.
  • F-1 students generally must complete their first academic year at the school that issued their initial Form I-20 before transferring or changing educational objective, unless SEVP authorises an exception.
  • After completing a programme at one level, an F-1 student may only begin a new programme at a higher level.
  • Language-training students are limited to an aggregate of 24 months.

Key dates

Officially announced
In effect from

Which agency does what

This rule was made by the Department of Homeland Security. Extensions of stay are decided by USCIS. It does not change how the Department of State and US embassies decide visa applications.

Who may be affected

  • F-1 students admitted on or after 15 September 2026: a fixed admission period based on the programme end date on their Form I-20, plus 30 days to depart.
  • F-1 students already in the US in duration of status on 15 September 2026 who are maintaining status: they may generally remain until the programme end date on their current Form I-20, for up to four years from 15 September 2026, plus 60 days to depart, without filing an extension.
  • Students in duration of status who had filed for post-completion OPT or a STEM OPT extension on or before 15 September 2026 need only the employment authorisation application, not an extension of stay.

Key takeaways

  • The programme end date on your Form I-20 now largely sets how long you may stay.
  • The rule states that delays caused by academic probation or suspension are generally not an acceptable reason for a programme extension.
  • This is a major rule subject to congressional review. DHS said it would publish a notice if the effective date changed; none had been published when MATES last checked on 18 September 2026.

What students should do

  1. Check that the programme end date on your Form I-20 is realistic before you travel.
  2. Choose your university and programme carefully — graduate students generally cannot transfer or change programme later.
  3. Keep track of your admission end date, and ask your school's Designated School Official about any extension in good time.

Official sources

Read the Official Update(opens Federal Register (US Department of Homeland Security) in a new tab — you are leaving the MATES website)

Opens the government website in a new tab. You will be leaving the MATES website.

Before you act on this

Visa and immigration requirements can change. Review the linked official government source and confirm the latest requirements with MATES before making an application decision.

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. MATES cannot influence a government decision.

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