On Friday, July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published in the Federal Register the final rule “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.” Beginning September 15, 2026, F visa holders will receive a fixed admission end date instead of being admitted for Duration of Status (D/S).
UC Irvine DCE continues to actively review the new rule and closely monitor ongoing developments to assess impacts on our students. As additional information and guidance become available, we will provide updates. We will continue to update this page including DCE- specific frequently asked questions.
Effective Date
The rule goes into effect September 15, 2026.
What is Changing?
The new rule eliminates the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) admission policy for F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 nonimmigrants. Instead, eligible individuals will receive a specific Admit Until Date (“AUD”) on their Form I-94 when they enter the United States.
The rule also establishes new procedures for requesting an extension of stay through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and introduces new academic restrictions.
Fixed Admission Period Replaces “Duration of Status” (D/S)
F-1 students (including degree and non-degree students), J-1 exchange visitors, and their F-2 and J-2 dependents will no longer be admitted for Duration of Status. Instead, they will receive a specific Admit Until Date on their Form I-94.
Maximum Admission Period
Initial admission periods will be limited to the length of the program listed on the I-20.
Extension of Stay Requirement
If you need additional time to complete your academic program or authorized practical training beyond your Admit Until Date, you must either:
- Apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Extension of Stay before your admission expires; or
- Depart the United States and seek readmission using an updated Form I-20 that reflects your new program end date.
Reduced Grade Period for F-1 Students
The grace period following completion of an F-1 program or post-completion OPT will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
The rule sets new requirements for F-1 students who change educational objectives (major and/or degree level) or transfer while in F-1 status. Transferring to another school or changing your program may not be allowed without approval from USCIS, and may require additional paperwork, fees, biometrics, and an interview.
After completing a program at a particular education level, F-1 students may only begin another program at a higher educational level. The rule does not permit students to begin another program at the same or a lower educational level while remaining in F-1 status.
If you are already in the United States on September 15, 2026, and your current Form I-94 shows Duration of Status (D/S), your authorized stay will generally be tied to the program end date listed on your current Form I-20.
If you travel outside the United States and re-enter on or after September 15, 2026, your new Form I-94 will include a fixed Admit Until Date based on the program end date on your current Form I-20.
F-1 students who are already in the United States and apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) will have a six-month transition period following the rule’s effective date.
During this transition period, students applying for OPT may continue to submit only Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) for post-completion OPT.
After the six-month transition period ends, students applying for post-completion OPT must file both:
- Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), and
- Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status).
If you plan to travel:
Enter the U.S. before Sept 15, 2026. If you exit the U.S. on or after Sept 15, 2026, you will re-enter the U.S. and receive an Admit Until Date on your Form I-94, you will also not retain any Transition benefits after re-entry.
If you are applying for or waiting for a visa abroad, the new rule does not have an impact on U.S. Visa processing.
If you are planning to travel, we recommend you consult with us. Visit us during walk-in advising hours (Wednesdays, 12-2pm), make an appointment, or email us at immigrationofficials@ce.uci.edu
If you plan to request a SEVIS Record Transfer to another school:
If you plan to request a SEVIS Record Transfer of your I-20, submit the request at least 2 weeks before Sept 15, 2026, to allow the us time to process the SEVIS transfer.
RESOURCES
Study in the States
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting September 15, 2026, F-1 nonimmigrants (students) entering the U.S. will no longer be admitted for “Duration of Status” (D/S). Instead, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will issue Form I-94 with a specific Admit Until Date (AUD). This date will reflect the program end date on your Form I-20, up to a maximum period of 4 years, plus the 30-day grace period.
- For programs less than four years: The AUD is the Program End Date, plus 30-day grace period.
- For students engaging in optional practical training: The AUD is the employment end date on the Employment Authorization Document, plus 30-day grace period.
Your Form I-94 can be viewed and downloaded from the US Customs and Border Protection website. We recommend that you download and keep a record of your most recent Form I-94.
Moving forward you will have several dates that you should be aware of:
- Form I-94 Admit Until Date – The official date by which you must depart the U.S. or extend your status with USCIS. Your I-94 AUD may indicate “Duration of Status” or have a fixed end date.
- Form I-20 Document – Your I-20 will have a “program end date” that is the date determined by UC Irvine DCE to complete your program.
- Visa Expiration Date – the visa was issued to you by the Department of State at the U.S. Consulate when you applied for an entry visa into the U.S. The visa governs entry into the U.S. A visa can expire while you are inside the country without affecting your legal stay but must be valid to re-enter the U.S. after travel abroad. Review Understanding your Visa for additional information. The new rule does not have an impact on the visa in you do not need to apply for a new visa because of this new rule.
- Passport Expiration Date: Your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months into the future at all times while in the U.S.
- End Dates and Maintaining Status – The end dates on your documents are critical. Maintaining lawful status requires ongoing compliance with your visa status. Beyond keeping your documents valid, you must fulfill all student and exchange visitor requirements throughout your stay in the U.S.
Under the new rule, the grace period for F-1 students is 30 days for anyone entering or re-entering the U.S. with a specific “Admit Until Date” on their Form I-94.
If you are currently in the U.S. with “Duration of Status” (D/S) on your Form I-94 and do not travel internationally, you retain the legacy 60-day grace period upon completing your program. However, if you travel outside the U.S. and re-enter on or after September 15, 2026, you will be issued a date-specific I-94 and will have the 30-day grace period.
If you are physically present in the U.S. and maintaining valid status before September 15, 2026, you will generally retain your “D/S” status until your current program end date (up to a maximum transition of four years from the effective date). You will retain the legacy 60-day grace period upon completing your program.
If you leave the U.S. and re-enter on or after September 15, 2026, you will receive a fixed date as your Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94 by Custom and Border Protection (CBP). The AUD is based on your program end date plus 30-day grace period.
Students in the U.S. with Duration of Status who timely filed for OPT on or before six months of the final rule’s effective date do not need to apply for an extension of stay (EOS) when submitting their Form I-765.
If you re-entered the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, and have a fixed date as your Admit Until Date on your Form I-94, you will need to file Form I-539 (Extension of Stay) in addition to the Form I-765.
Yes. The rule imposes restrictions on academic changes:
- School Transfers & Major Changes: F-1 students enrolled in a DCE program generally cannot transfer schools or change majors for the duration of their enrollment.
- Same/Lower Degree Levels: F-1 students are generally restricted from pursuing a new degree program at the same or a lower educational level.