US DHS Ends F-1, J-1 Duration of Status From September 15: Students Face Fixed Admission Periods

The US Department of Homeland Security's new rules replacing the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) system for F-1 and J-1 students and exchange visitors are set to take effect on September 15, 2026, moving international students into a fixed-period admission system.

Under the final rule published in July, most newly admitted F-1 and J-1 students will receive a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94 rather than being admitted for D/S. The admission period will generally run through the programme end date or four years from the programme start date, whichever is earlier, with a departure period added under the new framework.

The implementation is already becoming an operational issue for US universities. Rutgers University is holding a dedicated F-1/J-1 information session on September 11, covering the new rule and its implications for students and scholars. Rutgers says it is continuing to assess federal guidance as implementation details develop.

What Is Changing for F-1 and J-1 Students?

The most significant change is the replacement of D/S with a fixed admission period.

Previously, most F-1 and J-1 students were admitted for Duration of Status, allowing them to remain in the US while maintaining their immigration status and complying with the requirements of their programme.

From September 15, newly admitted students and exchange visitors will generally receive an I-94 with a specific admission end date. For most F-1 and J-1 entrants, the period will be tied to the programme end date, subject to a four-year maximum.

The change does not shorten every academic programme to four years. Instead, students whose programmes or authorised stay extend beyond the admission period will need to follow the new extension procedures.

Students Needing More Time May Have to Apply for an Extension

The fixed-admission system makes immigration deadlines more important for students whose studies take longer than originally planned.

Students who need to remain in the US beyond their authorised admission period will generally need updated immigration documents and an Extension of Stay application using Form I-539. Rutgers says the process can involve a filing fee, biometrics and potentially an interview.

This is particularly relevant to students who change academic plans, require additional time to complete their degree, or encounter delays that push their programme beyond the date reflected in their immigration documentation.

Universities are therefore advising students to monitor their I-94 admission date alongside the programme end date on their Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Current F-1 Students Get Transition Protections

The change does not mean every F-1 student in the US will immediately receive a new fixed admission date on September 15.

Students already maintaining F-1 or J-1 status with a D/S admission on September 15 will generally fall under transition provisions. Rutgers says current students may continue under the transitional framework until the end date on their current I-20 or DS-2019, or four years after September 15, 2026, whichever comes first, subject to the applicable rules.

This distinction is important for Indian students already studying in the US. The new system primarily changes how future admissions and extensions are handled, rather than automatically requiring all existing students to file new applications on September 15.

F-1 Grace Period Will Fall From 60 Days to 30 Days for New Entrants

The final rule also changes the post-programme grace period for F-1 students.

Students entering the US in F-1 status on or after September 15, 2026, will generally receive a 30-day grace period after completing their programme rather than the existing 60 days. Students already in F-1 status on September 15 generally retain the existing 60-day period under the transition provisions unless they depart and re-enter.

The shorter period is important for students moving from study to the next immigration stage, including those planning to transition to employment-related status or make arrangements to leave the US.

For students planning to use Optional Practical Training (OPT), the timing of applications and immigration documentation will therefore require closer attention under the new framework.

CPT and Employment Planning Become More Time-Sensitive

The rule also has implications for employment authorisation and practical training.

Rutgers is specifically briefing students about the implications of the new DHS framework for F-1 Optional Practical Training and other employment-related processes, while the final rule establishes new procedures governing authorised employment when an extension of stay is pending.

The practical significance is that students cannot treat the programme end date, I-94 admission date, I-20 and employment authorisation as interchangeable documents. Students using CPT or preparing for OPT need to ensure that their underlying immigration status and authorised period support the employment activity.

Universities are consequently placing greater emphasis on advance planning and coordination with international student offices.

Why Universities Are Holding Dedicated Briefings

The fact that universities are conducting dedicated sessions immediately before the rule takes effect reflects the complexity of implementing the new framework.

Rutgers says federal agencies and higher-education institutions are still reviewing and interpreting the rule, with guidance from agencies including DHS, USCIS, CBP, the Department of State and SEVP expected to continue developing.

Other universities, including Johns Hopkins and Columbia, have also established dedicated resources explaining the transition from D/S to fixed admission periods.

For institutions, the changes potentially require revisions to student advising, immigration monitoring and processes around programme extensions, travel, employment and academic changes.

The US International Student Market Is Large, With India as the Top Source

The changes are particularly relevant to Indian students because India is the largest source country of international students in the US.

The Open Doors 2025 report recorded 363,019 Indian international students in the US during the 2024/25 academic year, a 10% increase from the previous year. Chinese students were the second-largest group at 265,919.

The US hosted 1,177,766 international students overall in 2024/25. Of these, 294,253 were participating in Optional Practical Training, representing a 21% increase from the previous year.

That OPT figure is particularly relevant because changes to admission periods and immigration compliance can affect students planning the transition from academic study to practical training and employment.

New Students Need to Pay Closer Attention to Their I-94

For students entering the US after September 15, the I-94 Admit Until Date becomes a critical immigration deadline.

The AUD is not the same as the visa expiration date. The visa determines whether a student can seek entry to the US, while the I-94 admission date determines how long the student is authorised to remain after admission.

Students should therefore check their I-94 after entering the US and ensure that it is consistent with their immigration documents and programme circumstances.

If a programme is expected to extend beyond the authorised admission period, students should contact their university's international office well before the deadline rather than waiting until the final weeks.

What the New DHS Rule Means for US-Bound Indian Students

For Indian students planning to begin US programmes from September 2026 onward, the change adds another layer to immigration planning.

Students should understand the relationship between their I-20, I-94, visa, programme end date, CPT and OPT authorisation before travelling. Those whose academic plans change or who need additional time to graduate may have to take formal immigration action under the new framework.

The change is also relevant to students evaluating the US as a study-abroad destination. The academic programme itself is not being shortened by the rule, but immigration compliance becomes more date-specific, particularly for students whose studies, training or employment extend beyond their initial admission period.

Key Changes Under the New F-1/J-1 Framework

The exact application of transition provisions varies by the student's circumstances and immigration documents, so students should follow guidance from their university's designated international office and the relevant federal agencies.

What Students Should Do Before September 15

Students already in the US should first determine whether they fall under the transition provisions rather than assuming that the new fixed-period system immediately applies to them.

Students entering or re-entering the US on or after September 15 should carefully review their I-94 after arrival and compare the admission date with their I-20 or DS-2019.

Those planning CPT, OPT, programme extensions or academic changes should also speak with their university's international student office early. The new system places greater importance on immigration deadlines, making last-minute extensions or status corrections potentially more complicated.

The broader significance is that the US is moving from a system in which maintaining status largely determined the duration of a student's authorised stay to one where fixed admission dates and formal extensions play a much greater role.

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