The end of duration of status

For decades, F, J, and I nonimmigrants could stay in the U.S. as long as they maintained their status, with no fixed expiration date on their I-94. That changes this fall — here's what every SAC student, exchange visitor, and staff member needs to know.

Effective dateSept 15, 2026
Max admission4 years
Applies toF, J & I visas
1

What's actually changing

Until Sept 15, 2026

Duration of status (D/S)

Your I-94 says "D/S" — no fixed end date. You could stay as long as you kept meeting the requirements of your status, with no calendar deadline to track.

 

From Sept 15, 2026

Fixed admission period

Your I-94 shows a specific "Admit Until" date, tied to your program. Once that date is reached, you must have finished, extended, or otherwise resolved your status.

Program length on your I-20 + 30 days to arrive early + 30 days to depart after = Your I-94 “Admit Until” date

Capped at 4 years of program time. The 30-day arrival window and 30-day departure grace period don't count toward that 4-year cap.

2

Which path applies to you

Already in the U.S. on D/S

You get a transition period

Keep your D/S status until your I-20 program end date or Sept 15, 2030 (4 years out) — whichever comes first. No paperwork needed to keep it.

Watch for: any trip abroad after Sept 15, 2026 converts your D/S to a fixed date on re-entry.

Arriving before Sept 15, 2026

You'll be admitted on D/S first

Your first entry still gets the traditional D/S admission. Once the rule takes effect, the same transition protections above apply to you.

Watch for: travel after the effective date works the same as it does for current D/S holders.

Arriving on or after Sept 15, 2026

You're admitted with a fixed date, day one

Your I-94 will show a specific date from the start, based on your I-20 program length. No D/S, no transition period to think about.

Watch for: finishing early means you have 30 days to act — regardless of what your I-94 says.

3

Dates to remember

 
 
Sept 15, 2026
Rule takes effect. D/S ends for new admissions; transition period begins for current students.
 
March 18, 2027
Deadline to file Form I-765 for post-completion OPT/STEM OPT without also needing a separate Extension of Stay.
 
Sept 15, 2030
Latest date current D/S holders can rely on the transition period; after this, everyone is on a fixed admission date.
4

Travel and extra time

Traveling abroad

  • Travel isn't prohibited — but after Sept 15, 2026, re-entry always issues a fixed-date I-94, even if you left on D/S.
  • Have your DSO-endorsed I-20 ready; keep any EOS receipt notice with you if one is pending.
  • Departing while an Extension of Stay is pending can be treated as abandoning that application — check with your DSO first.

Need more time? File an EOS

  • An Extension of Stay (Form I-539 or successor) must be filed before your current admission period expires — not after.
  • Filing on time keeps you in a period of authorized stay while USCIS decides, and certain employment can auto-extend up to 240 days.
  • Valid reasons include compelling academic need, documented illness, or circumstances beyond your control.
5

Changing your major or school

1

First academic year

No major changes or school transfers, except for rare SEVP-approved exceptions (school closure, natural disaster, etc.).

2

After year one

Free to change majors at the same level or transfer schools through the normal DSO process, as always.

3

Moving up a level

Finishing an associate degree and starting a bachelor's (a "2+2" transfer) is treated as normal upward progress — no one-year wait.

4

One-way door

Once you finish a program on or after Sept 15, 2026, F-1 status can't be used for another program at the same or a lower level.

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