Duration of Status

Duration of Status Info Session

Register for our upcoming information session on changes to Duration of Status.

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a final rule to replace Duration of Status for F and J visa holders. The new rule does not immediately go into effect; instead, the new rule and policies go into effect 60 days from the published date, on September 15, 2026. 

On August 18, In response to the final rule eliminating duration of status for F and J visa holders, various groups filed a complaint and a motion for preliminary injunction. While this litigation is pending, OIE will continue to prepare for the rule's scheduled implementation on September 15, 2026. OIE is closely monitoring developments in the case and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

What is changing?  

There are several major changes included within the new final rule:  

Fixed Period of Admission/Status:   
  • Currently, if you enter the U.S. with an F or J visa, you are admitted to the United States for "Duration of Status” (D/S) with no fixed expiration date on your I-94. This means that you can remain in the U.S. for as long as you maintain a full course of study or maintain an active exchange program and hold an Active SEVIS record. F and J visa holders unable to complete their program before the end date on their I-20/DS-2019 form can request a SEVIS program extension from OIE A SEVIS program extension grants additional time for F and J visa to complete program objectives.   
  • Under the new rule, F and J visa holders will be admitted for a fixed period based on the program end date on the Form I-20 or DS-2019 not to exceed 4 years. This fixed date will be reflected on the I-94 record as their “Admit Until Date.” If the student/scholar is unable to complete their degree/program objectives by the program end date or their fixed admission date (AUD), they will be required to request a SEVIS program extension from OIE and will also need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS)with the United States government. 
Reduced Grace Period for F visa holders:  
  • F visa holders will be subject to a 30-day grace period instead of a 60-day grace period. 
  • J visa holders will maintain a 30-day grace period. 
Academic Limits: 
  • F-1 undergraduate students: Undergraduate-level students will be required to complete one year of study before becoming eligible to change their major, education level or transfer to another U.S. institution.  
  • F-1 graduate students: Graduate level students will not be permitted to change their major or transfer their immigration record to another U.S. institution.  Graduate students will not be eligible to change their degree level unless they complete their degree at the graduate level and are moving to a higher degree level.   
  • F-1 student visa holders will not be permitted under the new rule to pursue a degree at the same or lower educational level. (Applies to programs completed after Sept. 15, 2026.)​ 

Transition Provisions 

All new and continuing F and J visa holders inside and outside the US are impacted by this rule change.  

Fixed Period of Admission/Status:   
  • If you are inside the U.S. on or before September 15, 2026:  
    • Those inside the U.S. who are maintaining their visa status on September 15, 2026, will be assigned an Admit Until Date (AUD)based on the program end date on their current Form I-20 or DS-2019 or their employment authorization end date on their OPT EAD card as of September 15, 2026, not to exceed 4 years from when the rule takes effect. The I-94 record will not automatically update to reflect the AUD and visa holders will be responsible for understanding their expected date of departure based on their I-20 or DS-2019 or Employment Authorization Document end date.   
  • If you enter the U.S. after September 15, 2026: 
    • F and J visa holders who are outside the U.S. and re-enter on or after September 15, 2026, will receive an I-94 with a fixed admission date or Admit Until Date (AUD). The date will be assigned based on the program end date on their current Form I-20 or DS-2019 or their employment authorization end date on their OPT EAD card plus a 30-day grace period. If the program end date exceeds 4 years from the effective date of the rule, the admit until date will instead be September 15, 2030, plus a 30-day grace period. 
Reduced Grace Period for F visa holders:  
  • If you are inside the U.S. on September 15, 2026, and remain inside the U.S.:  
    • F visa holders will maintain a 60-day grace period. 
    • J visa holders will maintain a 30-day grace period. 
  • If you enter the U.S. after September 15, 2026: 
    • F and J visa holders will receive a 30-day grace period. 
OPT Applicants: 
  • The new rule does not require F-1 visa holders who are inside the U.S. on September 15, 2026, who remain inside the U.S., and file the OPT application on or before March 18, 2027, to file a separate Extension of Stay application with the OPT application. 
  • The new rule does require F-1 visa holders entering the U.S. after September 15, 2026, or filing the OPT application after March 18, 2027, to file an Extension of Stay application with the OPT application 
  • Note, F-1 visa holders who re-enter the U.S. after September 15 and receive an adjusted  30 day grace period can file their OPT application as early as 90 days before the program end date and no later than 30 days after the program end date. 

What can I do now? 

  • Review your I-20 form or DS-2019 form. If changes are required, submit them to OIE by August 24, 2026, to ensure OIE has enough time to process the update request prior to the new rule taking effect on September 15, 2026.
    • Degree Level: Ensure that the degree level on your I-20 form aligns with your degree plans for fall term. Submit the Change of Level e-form in iStart to request the update from OIE.
    • CIP Code: Ensure that your priority 1 major aligns with the correct CIP code assignment on your I-20/DS-2019 form. Review Georgia Tech's degree program list webpage. You will find that the first 6 digits of the listed numerical CIP code match the numerical code that is listed in the major field on the I-20/DS-2019 form. It is the first 6 digits of the code that need to match, not the name of the CIP code category and the name of the degree program at GT. Submit the Change of Major e-form in iStart to request the update from OIE.
    • Program End Date: Check the program end date listed on your most recently issued I-20/DS-2019 form. If you know that you will require additional time to complete your degree program requirements or program objectives, move forward with connecting with your department and complete a program extension request in iStart. 
  • If you have plans to transfer to a new university/school and have obtained your admission, move forward with requesting the transfer of your immigration record. OIE advises that you request a transfer release date and obtain your new I-20 form from the new school before the new rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. More information about transferring your SEVIS record can be found on OIE's website.
  • As you wait for additional guidance, we realize these changes may create uncertainty. We want to remind you that Georgia Tech has several resources and campus partners that can assist you during this time. For a comprehensive list and summary of these resources, please visit our Fill Your Cup student resource webpage: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/isss/fillyourcup. J-1 scholars and affiliates are encouraged to visit this webpage for wellness resources: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/exchange-visitors-wellness-resources.

Duration of Status Rule Change: FAQ for F and J Visa Holders 

The Office of International Education is actively working to develop clear information and guidance on the new rule. Some areas depend on additional direction from federal agencies, and we're monitoring those closely. As soon as we have answers, we'll share them with you. In the meantime, please know that we're here to support you, and you can reach out to us with any questions or concerns. Please continue to monitor the FAQ below for updates. 

Q. When does the new rule take effect? 

A. The rule takes effect September 15, 2026. OIE will continue to process requests based on the policies currently in effect until September 14, 2026. 

Q. I am inside the U.S. and my I-94 indicates I’ve been admitted under D/S. Does this new rule still impact me? 

A. Regardless of whether you are a new or continuing student inside or outside the U.S., all F and J visa holders are impacted by this rule change.  

Those inside the U.S. who are maintaining their status on September 15, 2026, will be assigned an Admit Until Date (AUD) based on the program end date on their current Form I-20 or DS-2019 or their employment authorization end date on their OPT EAD card, not to exceed 4 years from when the rule takes effect. The I-94 record will not automatically update to reflect the AUD and visa holders will be responsible for understanding their expected date of departure based on their I-20 or DS-2019 or Employment Authorization Document end date.   

 F and J visa holders who are outside the U.S. and re-enter on or after September 15, 2026, will receive an I-94 with a fixed admission date or Admit Until Date (AUD). The date will be assigned based on the program end date on their current Form I-20 or DS-2019 or their employment authorization end date on their OPT EAD card plus a 30-day grace period. If the program end date exceeds 4 years from the effective date of the rule, the admit until date will instead be September 15, 2030, plus a 30-day grace period. 

Q. What will I need to do if I am unable to finish my degree or program objectives before my program end date and Admit until Date (AUD)? 

A. Currently and before September 15, 2026, F and J visa holders can request SEVIS program extensions from OIE  if they will not be able to complete their degree program requirements or program objectives before the program end date on the I-20/DS-2019 form.  

Effective September 15,2026 in addition to working with OIE for a SEVIS program extension, F and J visa holders  will also need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) to receive permission to remain inside the United States.  The EOS can be filed one of two ways: 

To be eligible for employment benefits such as CPT and on-campus employment, the extension of stay must be filed prior to the SEVIS program end date. Extensions of stay filed during the 30 or 60-day grace period after the SEVIS program end date may permit visa holders to remain inside the U.S. and engage in the  degree program, but do not permit  on-campus employment, CPT, or pre-completion OPT employment. 

Q. How does this impact OPT? 

A. F-1 students present inside the U.S. on September 15, 2026, and who remain inside the U.S. and file their OPT application prior to March 18, 2027, are not  required to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with their OPT application under the new rule.  

If the F-1 visa holder departs and re-enters after September 15, 2026, they will be admitted to the U.S. for a fixed period and will be required to file an extension of stay with their OPT application under the new rule. F-1 student visa holders will be eligible to apply for OPT 90 days before their SEVIS program end date and no later than 30 days after their program end date due to the shortened 30-day grace period 

Q. I'm a J-1 exchange visitor. Does this apply to me too? 

A. Yes. J-1 exchange visitors are subject to the same shift from D/S to a fixed period tied to the DS-2019 program end date, capped at four years, with a 30-day grace period.  

Q. What can I do now to prepare for this change? 

A. If you are currently in the U.S. on F or J visa status and maintaining that status, you are reminded to review your I-20 or DS-2019 form to ensure it accurately reflects your most up-to-date program information. If changes are required, submit them to OIE by August 24, 2026, to ensure OIE has enough time to process the update request prior to the new rule taking effect on September 15, 2026. 

  • Degree Level: Ensure that the degree level on your I-20 form aligns with your degree plans for fall term. Submit the Change of Level e-form in iStart to request the update from OIE. 
  • CIP Code: Ensure that your priority 1 major aligns with the correct CIP code assignment on your I-20/DS-2019 form. Review Georgia Tech's degree program list webpage. You will find that the first 6 digits of the listed numerical CIP code match the numerical code that is listed in the major field on the I-20/DS-2019 form. It is the first 6 digits of the code that need to match, not the name of the CIP code category and the name of the degree program at GT. Submit the Change of Major e-form in iStart to request the update from OIE. 
  • Program End Date: Check the program end date listed on your most recently issued I-20/DS-2019 form. If you know that you will require additional time to complete your degree program requirements or program objectives, move forward with connecting with your department and complete a program extension request in iStart.   

Q. I need some help understanding my immigration documents. Can you explain them to me   

A. To obtain F/J status in the U.S., you have 3 key documents: 

  • I-20/DS-2019 form 
    • The I-20/DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for the F or J Visa is a document issued by OIE used to obtain an F-1, J-1, F-2, or J-2 visa.
    • The program start date on the I-20 or DS-2019 reflects the first day of classes for the first term of attendance in the degree program. The program end date reflects the end of term when the student is expected to complete degree or program requirements.  The total program duration is the estimated time required to complete the degree or program requirements.  Program duration is determined by the academic department at the graduate level and is estimated based on a student’s expected academic plan of study. 
    • Click here to check out our in-depth overview of the I-20 form on our website. 
  • F/J Visa 
    • The F/J visa is a document issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate and stamped in your passport. You use this document to gain entry to the United States. 
    • The visa expiration date often does not align with the program end date listed on the I-20/DS-2019 form, but rather is assigned based on visa reciprocity tables between the home country and the U.S. 
  • I-94 Arrival/Departure Record 
    • The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is an electronic record issued to F and J visa holders by US Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) agents at the U.S. port of entry. 
    • The I-94 record records the entry date, location of entry, class of admission or visa type, and the authorized period of stay.  
    • The admit until date on the I-94 will change with the new rule. Previously F/J visa holders received an Admit Until Date of D/S or “Duration of Status.” Effective September 15, the I-94 record will reflect a fixed admission period and will list a specific date. The specific date listed will be assigned based on the program end date listed on the I-20/DS-2019 form not to exceed 4 years, plus a 30-day grace period. 

Q. How does the elimination of duration of status affect F-2 and J-2 dependents? 

A. Under the new rule, F-2 and J-2 dependents move from the old duration-of-status framework to their own fixed admission period, and that period is capped by the principal F-1 or J-1's authorized stay rather than set independently. The period of admission for F-2 and J-2 dependents may not exceed the authorized period of stay of the principal F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant. Notably, J-2 spouses are not granted the 240-day automatic work authorization extension available to certain J-1 principals with a pending timely filed extension application, and must have a valid EAD and period of admission to work. 

Q. Where can I find official information? 

A. The final rule is published in the Federal Register online at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/17/2026-14439/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant.  

Study in the States, DHS's official resource site, published a fact sheet online and an FAQ at the two links below: 

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/elimination-of-duration-of-status-quick-facts 

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/elimination-of-duration-of-status-frequently-asked-questions