D/S Final Ruling

What changes on September 15, 2026?
DHS is replacing Duration of Status (D/S) admission for F-1 students with a fixed period of admission. When you enter or reenter the United States in F-1 status on or after September 15, CBP will issue an electronic Form I-94 with a specific Admit Until Date (AUD).

What is an Admit Until Date (AUD)?
Your AUD is the date on your Form I-94 that identifies the end of your authorized period of admission. Under AUD, this date becomes a critical immigration deadline. Your AUD may be different from the program end date on your Form I-20.

How long will I generally be admitted?
The admission period is generally based on the length of the academic program shown on your Form I-20, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day departure period after completion. CBP determines the terms of admission each time you enter the United States.

Does this change my F-1 visa?
No. The visa in your passport is primarily an entry document. The final rule changes the period of admission shown on your Form I-94; it does not by itself change the validity dates printed on your F-1 visa.

Does my Form I-20 still matter?
Yes. Your Form I-20 continues to document your school, program, program dates, and other F-1 information. Under the new rule, the program information on the I-20 is also important in determining the period of admission. Keep every Form I-20 issued to you.

I am in the United States on September 15 and my I-94 says D/S. Do I need to file anything immediately?
For most students who were admitted in F-1 status for D/S before September 15, are physically present in the United States on the effective date, and are maintaining valid F-1 status, no immediate I-539 filing is required solely because the rule takes effect.

How long can I remain under the transition provisions?
A qualifying F-1 student may generally remain through the program end date on the Form I-20 that is valid on September 15, 2026, or through qualifying post-completion OPT/STEM OPT that is valid on that date, plus the legacy 60-day grace period. The transition period cannot extend beyond November 14, 2030.

Do I keep the 60-day grace period if I remain under the transition provisions?
Yes. Qualifying F-1 students who remain covered by the D/S transition provisions retain the 60-day grace period. If you later depart and reenter under the new fixed-date system, the new 30-day departure period generally applies.

What happens if I travel internationally after September 15?
If you depart and reenter the United States on or after September 15, you will generally be admitted under the new fixed-period system and receive an AUD. Before international travel, contact ISP so we can review your documents and discuss how reentry may affect your immigration timeline.

Where do I find my AUD?
Your AUD will appear on your electronic Form I-94 issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). After every entry to the United States, review your I-94 for your name, F-1 classification, and Admit Until information.

Access your I-94 at: CBP Form I-94 website

What if my I-94 is incorrect?
Contact ISP immediately. Do not assume an error will correct itself, and do not wait until the AUD is approaching.

Should I contact ISP before traveling internationally?
Yes. Travel can change which admission rules apply to you. We strongly recommend that F-1 students contact ISP before international travel and check their new I-94 immediately after returning.

What if I need more time than my AUD allows?
You may need an Extension of Stay (EOS). Taylor's DSO first recommends the EOS in SEVIS. SEVIS will then issue an updated Form I-20 reflecting the EOS recommendation. You will follow ISP instructions for any required Form I-539 filing with USCIS. Under the fixed-date system, extending the program end date on your Form I-20 does not by itself extend your authorized period of admission.

When might I need an Extension of Stay?
An EOS may be needed in several situations when your current AUD does not cover the required period, including completing or extending a program of study, changing a program or educational level, transferring to a new school, post-completion OPT, STEM OPT, or certain reinstatement cases. ISP will help determine whether an EOS is required in your situation.

When can I apply for an Extension of Stay?
The final rule permits an EOS request to be filed up to 180 days before the authorized period of admission expires. Do not wait until the deadline. Contact ISP well in advance so we can help you understand the school-related documentation and timing.

Who decides my Extension of Stay request?
USCIS adjudicates Form I-539 Extension of Stay applications. Taylor can provide immigration advising and required school documentation, but Taylor does not approve the USCIS application.

What will an Extension of Stay look like in SEVIS and on my I-20?
SEVIS will track an EOS as Requested, Pending, Approved, Denied, Abandoned, or Withdrawn. The revised Form I-20 will be four pages, and page 2 will display EOS information such as the reason, request status, USCIS receipt number when available, and the recommended new end date.

What if my academic program end date needs to change?
Contact ISP before your current program end date and well before your AUD. Under the new SEVIS workflow, "Extend Program" becomes "Extend Program of Study," but extending the program end date and extending your lawful period of admission are separate actions. Depending on your AUD, both a SEVIS program extension and an EOS may be required. Do not wait until the deadline; the former PDSO option to request a program extension up to 15 days after the program end date is being removed.

Can I change my major?
Possibly, but the new rule includes additional restrictions on changes to a student's educational objective. Undergraduate students are generally subject to a one-academic-year restriction before changing educational objective or transferring, unless an applicable exception is approved. Graduate students face stricter limits on changing educational objective during a program. Contact ISP before making the change.

Can I begin another degree after finishing my current program?
The final rule places restrictions on beginning a new program at the same or a lower educational level after program completion. Students considering another Taylor program or a program at another school should meet with ISP well before completing the current program.

What if I want to transfer to another SEVP-certified school?
The final rule adds requirements and timing considerations for transfers. Do not withdraw, stop attending, or finalize a transfer plan without first speaking with ISP so the SEVIS transfer can be handled properly.

What if I need to drop below full-time enrollment?
The longstanding F-1 full-course-of-study requirement still applies. Never drop below full-time enrollment before receiving any required DSO authorization for a Reduced Course Load. Speak with ISP first.

Is CPT still available?
Yes. The final rule does not eliminate CPT or make substantive changes to the basic CPT eligibility framework. CPT must still be an integral part of the curriculum and must be authorized by a DSO in SEVIS before employment begins. Taylor students must follow Taylor's CPT process, including the applicable practicum-course requirement.

Can I begin an internship while my CPT request is being processed?
No. Do not begin CPT employment until the DSO has authorized the CPT in SEVIS and you have received the Form I-20 showing the CPT authorization and authorized dates.

Is OPT still available?
Yes. Eligible students may still apply for OPT and STEM OPT. Under the new system, some students may also need an Extension of Stay to cover the requested training period. A temporary transition rule applies to certain D/S students who timely file Form I-765 for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT by March 18, 2027. ISP will provide individualized guidance when you are ready to apply.

Is the grace period changing from 60 days to 30 days?
For students admitted under the new fixed-period system, the standard post-completion departure period is generally 30 days. Qualifying students who remain under the D/S transition provisions retain the legacy 60-day grace period until they leave the transition system.

What should I do before graduation?
Plan early. Before completing your program, meet with ISP to discuss your next step: post-completion OPT, another eligible academic program, another lawful status if applicable, or departure from the United States. The new 30-day period gives students less time to make post-completion decisions after the fact.