On July 17th, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published the final rule in the Federal Register introducing a fixed period of admission and extension of stay procedure (EOS) for F and J status holders.  The new rule will go into effect on September 15th, 2026.  

I-94 Fixed Date Admission Changes Effective September 15th, 2026

  • Nonimmigrants in F or J status will no longer be admitted to the United States with an I-94 for Duration of Status (D/S).  They will now be admitted for a fixed date period known as their Admit Until Date (AUD) on their I-94.  The AUD will be limited to the program end date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years, plus a period of 30 days following their program end date.  
  • Current nonimmigrants in F or J status present in the U.S. on September 15th, 2026 will have an AUD until the program end date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019 plus sixty days, not to exceed November. 14th, 2030.  The November 14th, 2030 date is four years from the final rule effective date (September 15th, 2026) plus a sixty day grace period.
    • If a nonimmigrant in For J status travels and enters the U.S. after September 15th, 2026, they will be admitted to the U.S. with an AUD of their program end date, up to four years, plus a 30 day grace period.   
  • The grace period for F-1 students will change from 60 days to 30 days.  
  • Nonimmigrants requiring more time to complete their program, start a new program, or apply for OPT/STEM OPT, past their I-94 AUD, will need to file an extension of stay (EOS) through the Form I-539 with USCIS, or depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission upon reentry.  
    • Students may apply for an EOS starting 180 days before their AUD expires. 

 

Student Program Mobility Changes Effective September 15th, 2026

  • Undergraduate students may change their educational objectives (e.g. change of majors) or transfer schools only after their first year of study.  
    • This provision identifies that a new undergraduate student to the U.S. will need to remain at the school and major their I-20 was issued for, for one academic year (fall and spring semester) before changing majors or transferring schools. 
  • Graduate students are not eligible to change their educational objectives (i.e. change majors or education levels) at any point during their program of study.  
    • Graduate students will need to remain in their education level that they are admitted to the U.S. in and will need to continue with their original education objective.  
  • After completing a program at a particular education level, F-1 students are barred from pursuing a subsequent program at the same or lower education level. 
    • After completing a program F-1 Students will only be able transfer or change education levels to a higher education level such as completing a bachelors program and moving to a masters program or completing a masters and moving to a doctorate program.  A student will not be able to go from a bachelors program to an associates program or a doctorate program to a masters program.    Doctorate students should be aware of this, and that their I-20 cannot be updated if they will master out, and therefore wouldn't be eligible for OPT at the masters level.  

 

OPT and STEM OPT Updates

  • For current F-1 students admitted for duration of status who are present in the United States on the final rule’s effective date: These students may remain in the United States without applying for an EOS up to the Program End Date on their Form I-20 or the end of their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT that is valid on the final rule’s effective date, not to exceed Nov. 14, 2030 (four years, plus a 60-day departure period).
  • Students in the United States who timely filed for post completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT on or before six months of the final rule’s effective date do not need to apply for an extension of stay (EOS).
  • For current F-1 students admitted for duration of status who are present in the United States 60 days when the final rule takes effect on Sept. 15, 2026, and who timely filed for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT by March 18, 2027: These students do not need to file a separate application for an EOS.
    • For F-1 students who travel before filing for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT and are readmitted into the United States with a fixed period of admission AUD: These students must file both an EOS application and an application for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT.

Additional Resources

 

For additional questions, please email isso@iastate.edu or set up an appointment with an international student or scholar advisor.  

 

Please note, this is general guidance only, it does not constitute legal advice. You should consult an immigration attorney if you require specific advice regarding your immigration status.