Elimination of Duration of Status (D/S) FAQs

Beginning September 15, 2026, F-1 and J-1 students and scholars will no longer be admitted to the United States for Duration of Status (D/S). 

Instead, they will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94 that specifies the date their lawful stay expires. 

If additional time is needed beyond the AUD, students must apply directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Extension of Stay (EOS).  

Students and scholars entering the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026 (including continuing students who may have been in the U.S. prior to this date): 

• Will receive a fixed POS.
• May be required to file an EOS if additional time is needed.

Current students and scholars already in the U.S. under D/S before September 15, 2026: 

• Special transition provisions apply to this group. More information about the transition provisions below. 

• Not required to file an EOS right away.

• Will lose transition protections if they depart the U.S. and re-enter after September 15. 

Before this new rule, F/J international students and scholars were admitted to the U.S. for a period that was referred to as “Duration of Status” (D/S). Under this system, an individual's lawful stay in the U.S. was tied to maintaining the requirements of their immigration status rather than to a specific calendar date. 

Under the new rule, F/J students and scholars will be admitted to the U.S. for a fixed Period of Stay (POS) equivalent to: 

• The length of their academic program as shown on the Form I-20 or DS-2019,  

• Up to a maximum of four years,  

Plus 

• 30 days after completion to depart the United States.

Students and scholars requiring additional time beyond their admission period to complete their current degree or exchange program, participate in OPT/AT, or begin a new program of study would be required to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) through USCIS. This application will require a filing fee and time for adjudication.

Under the transition provisions, F students present in the U.S. under D/S before September 15, 2026 would not be required to apply for an EOS.  

Current D/S students may remain under the transition provisions until: 

• Their current academic or exchange program is completed; or 

• The transition period expires (approximately 4 years after September 15, 2026), whichever occurs first. 

F-1 students who qualify under the transition provisions keep their 60-day departure period. 

J-1 exchange visitors retain their existing 30-day departure period. 

Traveling and entering the U.S. after the effective date will end your transition protections. 

When re-entering the U.S., you will be admitted under the new fixed POS system and receive an AUD on your I-94. 

The new rule does not change any of the eligibility criteria for admission to the U.S. (valid I-20/DS-2019 with travel signature, valid F1/J1 visa, EAD card, etc.). However, students and scholars who travel after this date will be admitted under a new fixed POS instead of continuing under the previous D/S transition provisions. 

Students and scholars currently under D/S should consult with their DSO or A/RO if they are considering international travel after September 15, 2026.

The new rule does not eliminate automatic visa revalidation for eligible travelers. 

However, due to current country-specific entry restrictions and travel resulting in a new admission under the fixed-period system, students and scholars should consult the International Center before relying on automatic visa revalidation. 

After every U.S. entry you should: 

• Download your most recent I-94,

• Confirm your admission class (visa),

• Verify your AUD.

Students may apply for an EOS no earlier than 180 days before their authorized POS expires (as indicated by the AUD in the I-94). 

Students must contact the International Center before starting the EOS process. 

Students must: 

1. Obtain updated I-20/DS-2019 from the International Center with EOS recommendation,  
2. File Form I-539 with USCIS,  
3. Submit supporting documentation, 
4. Pay the filing fee, and  
5. Complete biometrics (if required).

Examples of situations when the International Center may issue an EOS recommendation include, but are not limited to:

• Change in undergraduate major or adding a second major, 

• Students in a PhD or Doctorate program longer than 4 years, 

• OPT, STEM, AT,

• Medical condition or illness, or 

• Other compelling reason. 

Students should carefully consider whether to apply for an EOS or travel outside the United States and re-enter using a new Form I-20. Students who are considering either option should first notify the International Center. They should then consult with a qualified immigration attorney to determine the best course of action based on their individual circumstances and risk factors. 

A few considerations: 

• Do you have a valid visa?  

• What is your program end date?  

• Will you apply for OPT/STEM OPT?  

• The costs associated with each option.

• Any other factors.

• Undergraduate students – may change major after completing one academic year of study.

• Graduate students – may not change programs or majors.

The new rule does not specify a limit.  

However, repeated changes to your program may significantly delay your program completion date. This can create complications later, especially if you will need an EOS in the future and must demonstrate normal academic progress. 

• Undergraduate students will likely still be permitted to have second majors or double-major. However, they would still be subject to a POS of 4 years maximum. If additional time is needed to complete their programs, they would have to file an EOS. 

• Graduate students may not double-major or engage in a secondary degree program. 

Yes. Under the new rule, progression to the next higher degree level is still permitted. However, an EOS will be required.

Starting a new degree program at the same level or a lower level will not be permitted.

Current students maintaining status under D/S who will begin in a new program of study in Fall 2026 will be eligible for the transition provisions and may not need an EOS.  

Students who will move to the next higher degree level in Spring 2027 or later will require an EOS to continue studying.

• Undergraduate students may transfer schools after completing the first year of study at the school that initially issued their Form I-20/DS-2019.  

• Graduate students may not transfer until they have completed their current graduate program. 

Examples of extenuating circumstances where SEVP may authorize an exception for a transfer may include, but are not limited to: 

• A school closure, 

• School’s prolonged inability to hold in-person classes due to a natural disaster, or 

• Other causes. 

It depends on when you file. If you file before your Program End Date (as indicated on your I-20/DS-2019), you may generally continue authorized: 

• On-campus employment (will have to provide USCIS Receipt Notice to UNF HR),  

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and  

• Off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship  

for up to 240 days while the EOS application is pending, until the extended I-20/DS-2019 program end date, or until USCIS issues a decision on the EOS application, whichever occurs first. If USCIS approves the EOS, the student may continue employment according to the terms of the approved extension. If USCIS denies the EOS, the student must stop employment.

Yes. Post-completion OPT and STEM OPT are still available. Cap-Gap extensions for eligible students with timely-filed H-1B cases are also still available. 

It depends on your travel plans. F-1 students currently in the U.S. under D/S who timely apply for Post-completion OPT after the new rule effective date (September 15, 2026) are not required to apply for an EOS. This exemption will remain in effect until March 18, 2027. 

However, if an F-1 student departs the U.S. before applying for Post-OPT and returns after September 15, 2026, they will be issued a fixed admission period and would be required to apply for an EOS and Post-OPT concurrently (separate applications with separate filing fees). 

Students graduating after Spring 2027 are not covered under the transition relief and will be required to file an EOS and an OPT application.

F-1 students currently engaged in Post-completion OPT would also be eligible for the transition relief and not be required to file an EOS to participate in STEM OPT provided they: 

• Are present in the U.S. under D/S on the effective date and

• Timely file their STEM application before March 18, 2027.

However, if an F-1 student departs the U.S. before applying for the STEM extension and returns after September 15, 2026, they will be issued a fixed POS and would be required to apply for an EOS and STEM Extension concurrently (separate applications with separate filing fees).

If you leave the United States after September 15, 2026, and return under the new fixed-period admission system before filing for Post or STEM OPT, you will need to file both: 

• An Extension of Stay application and  
• The OPT or STEM OPT application. 

These are separate applications with separate filing fees. 

• Maintain full-time enrollment.

• Keep your I-20/DS-2019 up to date.

• Consult with the International Center before changing majors, transferring, or traveling internationally.

• Timely file OPT/STEM applications.

• Check your I-94 every time you enter the U.S. (for yourself and any F-2/J-2 dependents). 

• File an EOS immediately on September 15, 2026.

• Change your academic plans.

• Assume OPT and STEM OPT have been eliminated.

• I-94 AUD (check every time you enter the U.S.).

• I-20/DS-2019 Program End Date.

• Passport expiration date.

• Visa expiration date.

The International Center is closely monitoring for additional guidance from DHS, SEVP and DOS, and will provide updates as new information becomes available.