The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule in the Federal Register on 17 July 2026 replacing "duration of status" — the open-ended framework under which F, J and I nonimmigrants have been admitted — with a fixed admission period.
Under the rule, an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor is admitted up to the program end date recorded on the Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years, plus 30 days to depart.
Students may still be admitted up to 30 days before the program start date, and those days do not count toward the 4-year maximum.
The rule takes effect on 15 September 2026. DHS classified it as a major rule subject to congressional review, and states that if the effective date changes it will publish a further document in the Federal Register to set the actual date or terminate the rule.
Extending a stay for longer programs
Two mechanics change for anyone who needs longer than the period granted.
The departure period after a program ends falls from 60 days to 30; DHS states that 30 days is an appropriate balance between the 60-day and 10-day periods used elsewhere.
Staying beyond the admitted period now requires an Extension of Stay filed with USCIS — a step that did not exist under duration of status.
DHS notes that a designated school official can still extend a program end date in SEVIS, but that the student must then:
- file the extension with USCIS
- leave and seek readmission at a port of entry
Professional programs are not exempt
Commenters asked DHS to exempt professional programs including dentistry, medicine and architecture from the fixed periods.
DHS declined, writing that it wishes to establish predetermined points at which immigration officers can evaluate whether a student is maintaining status, and that those who need more time may apply to extend.
DHS states there is a 60-day implementation period and a 4-year transition period, and that those already in duration of status when the rule takes effect have up to 4 years to finish their programs.
