The bottom line. A DHS final rule replaces open-ended "duration of status" admission for F students, J exchange visitors, and I foreign media with a fixed admission period of up to four years, effective September 15, 2026, subject to congressional review.

The Department of Homeland Security, acting through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, published the final rule in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026 (91 FR 44976), amending 8 CFR parts 214, 248, and 274a. It ends a framework in place for F students since 1979 and for J and I nonimmigrants since 1985, under which these categories were admitted for the length of their program rather than to a specific departure date.

The rule affects a large population. DHS reported more than 1.8 million admissions in F status in fiscal year 2024, over 500,000 in J status, and 37,330 in I status. The rule has been classified as a major rule subject to congressional review; DHS said it received close to 22,000 public comments on the proposed version.

DHS said the change will "provide additional protections and oversight" and let officers verify status at set intervals.

What the Rule Changes

Instead of remaining until a program ends, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will generally be admitted for the length of their program listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day departure period. Those needing more time must file an extension of stay with USCIS or depart and re-enter. I representatives of foreign information media will generally be admitted for up to 240 days, with an extension process available. Nationals presenting a passport issued by the People's Republic of China (other than Hong Kong or Macau SAR passports) are limited to 90-day admission periods in the I category.

Extensions, Biometrics, and Unlawful Presence

Under the prior system, students and exchange visitors generally obtained program extensions through a designated school official or responsible officer without direct interaction with DHS. The rule shifts extension-of-stay decisions to USCIS immigration officers and allows collection of biometrics as part of the process. DHS states that officers, not school officials, will determine whether an alien remains eligible.

The rule also changes when unlawful presence accrues. DHS said that under a fixed admission period, affected nonimmigrants generally begin accruing unlawful presence after their authorized stay expires, which can trigger the statutory three- and ten-year inadmissibility bars under INA §212(a)(9)(B) upon departure.

New Limits on Study and Transfers

The rule caps English language training at an aggregate 24 months. It restricts F-1 students below the graduate level from transferring or changing majors or educational levels within their first academic year, unless SEVP authorizes an exception. Graduate-level students generally may not change educational objectives at any point, and may transfer only for extenuating circumstances. Aliens who complete a program may not obtain F-1 status for a program at the same or lower educational level; this limitation applies to programs completed after the effective date. The F-1 post-completion departure period is reduced from 60 to 30 days.

Transition Provisions

F and J nonimmigrants properly maintaining status on September 15, 2026, who were admitted for duration of status may generally remain until their program end date, not to exceed four years from the effective date, plus their departure period. Certain F-1 students who timely file for post-completion OPT or a STEM OPT extension on or before March 18, 2027, need not file a separate extension-of-stay application. I nonimmigrants in the United States on the effective date may complete their activity for up to 240 days (90 days for the specified PRC passport holders).

Sector Response

Higher education and exchange organizations warned in comments that the rule adds administrative burden, could reduce enrollment, and may disrupt doctoral programs, medical residencies, and research that commonly exceed four years. DHS estimated the rule's annualized cost between $443.1 million and $448.6 million and acknowledged possible enrollment declines, but said the quality of U.S. institutions would continue to attract applicants and that program-length admissions could reduce repeated filings for longer J categories.

What This Means Right Now

  • F-1 students in programs longer than four years, including many doctoral and certain undergraduate tracks, will generally need to file an extension of stay with USCIS or depart and re-enter to continue their studies.

  • J-1 exchange visitors, including physicians and research scholars, may generally continue authorized employment for up to 240 days while a timely-filed extension is pending, but not indefinitely.

  • Affected nonimmigrants who overstay a fixed admission period generally begin accruing unlawful presence, which can lead to multi-year reentry bars upon departure.

  • Certain applicants may qualify for extensions based on compelling academic reasons, documented medical conditions, or circumstances beyond their control, though eligibility generally depends on maintaining status.