On September 14, 2026, a federal judge granted nationwide relief in the form of a preliminary injunction barring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from taking any further actions to implement the rule. As such, the originally scheduled implementation of regulatory changes in "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Media" has been indefinitely paused unless the court modifies its order, an appellate court stays or reverses the relief, or the litigation is otherwise resolved on the merits. The next hearing is scheduled for October 2, 2026. The federal government may elect to appeal the preliminary injunction.
What does this mean for your F or J status?
The changes scheduled for September 15, 2026 did not go into effect, and will not go into effect unless or until something changes in the lawsuit. Pending further litigation, the current Duration of Status (D/S) framework will continue to operate. Students and scholars will continue to be admitted in D/S and may continue to pursue their academic objectives as normal. Continue to check this website for any updates we may have. Contact your primary immigration advisor if you have any questions.
What is changing?
Currently, most F-1 and J-1 students are admitted to the U.S. for a time referred to as Duration of Status (D/S). This is marked by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival on the I-94 and allows F-1 and J-1 students to stay in the U.S. as long as they maintain their immigration status through full-time registration or approved Optional Practical Training (OPT). Currently, time is added to the I-20 or DS-2019 through program extensions, OPT requests, and Academic Training approvals, allowing students to remain in the U.S. until the end date on their I-20 or DS-2019.
Beginning September 15, 2026, students and scholars entering the U.S. will instead be admitted until a specific end date assigned by CBP upon arrival in the U.S. and visible on their Form I-94. In most cases, this date will match the current program end date on the Form I-20 or DS-2019, up to a maximum of four years from their most recent date of entry.
Other Changes Originally Scheduled for September 15, 2026
- Students who need more time to complete their program (beyond the current program end date on their I-20 or DS-2019) will need to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Extension of Stay (EOS) using Form I-539.
- The F-1 grace period after program completion will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
- Undergraduate students will not be allowed to transfer schools during their first year.
- Students pursuing another degree in the U.S. must move to a higher degree level, i.e., they must start a master’s degree after completing a bachelor’s degree.
- Graduate students will not be allowed to transfer schools or change their major during their degree program.
The International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) team is continuing to review the new regulations and will share more information as guidance becomes available. Please be on the lookout for future emails, town halls and other informational updates from ISSS regarding this policy change. If you have questions about how these changes may affect you, please contact your ISSS advisor.
For more information: