DHS Ends Duration Of Status: What This Means For F-1/J-1 Visa Holders

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule ending the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) policy for F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors. Beginning September 15, 2026, individuals entering the U.S. under F or J status will no longer receive an open-ended period of stay tied solely to maintaining their status. Instead, they will be admitted for the length of their academic or exchange program, subject to a maximum admission period of four years, followed by a 30-day grace period.

The change represents one of the most significant reforms to student and exchange visitor visas in decades and will affect how international students plan their education, career, and long-term immigration strategy in the U.S.

What is the Duration of Status (D/S)?

Under the previous system, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors were admitted to the United States for Duration of Status (D/S) rather than until a specific expiration date. As long as they maintained their visa status and complied with the terms of their academic or exchange program, they could remain in the country without applying for periodic extensions, even if their studies or research continued for several years. This flexibility has long been a defining feature of the F and J visa programs.

The Rationale

DHS first proposed eliminating Duration of Status on August 27, 2025, arguing that the existing framework allowed foreign nationals to remain in the United States for extended periods without sufficient government oversight. According to DHS, replacing D/S with fixed admission periods would strengthen monitoring of F, J, and I nonimmigrant visa holders, improve program integrity, and address national security concerns associated with open-ended periods of admission.

Key Changes

Admission Will Match Program Length

F-1 and J-1 visa holders, along with their eligible dependents, will now be admitted through the program end date listed on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, rather than receiving Duration of Status.

Four-Year Maximum Admission

Regardless of program length, admission will generally be capped at four years. Students or exchange visitors who require additional time must file Form I-539 with USCIS to request an extension of stay. As of July 2026, the filing fee for Form I-539 is $470.

Extension Requests Are Subject to USCIS Review

Unlike the previous D/S system, extensions are no longer automatic. USCIS will review each request individually, may require biometrics, and retains discretion to approve or deny the application based on whether the applicant satisfies the regulatory requirements.

Admission Will Match Program Length

F-1 and J-1 visa holders, along with their eligible dependents, will now be admitted through the program end date listed on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, rather than receiving Duration of Status.

Grace Period Reduced to 30 Days

Following completion of their academic or exchange program, F-1 and J-1 visa holders will have 30 days to prepare for departure or take other authorized action. This shortens the previous 60-day grace period available to many F-1 students.

New Restrictions on School Transfers

The new rule also places additional limitations on changing educational institutions.

• Undergraduate students may not transfer to another school until they have completed one full academic year at the institution whose Form I-20 was used for entry.

• Graduate students generally may not transfer to another institution while remaining in the United States. Instead, they must depart the U.S. and re-enter using a new Form I-20 issued by the new school.

Restrictions on Changing Educational Objectives

Students will also face tighter limits on changing their academic plans.

• Undergraduate students may not change their major until completing one academic year at their current institution.

• Graduate students are generally prohibited from changing institutions without leaving the United States and obtaining a new Form I-20.

No Same-Level or Lower-Level Programs

Students who complete a degree program will generally be prohibited from enrolling in another program at the same or a lower educational level while remaining in F-1 status.

English Language Programs Limited to Two Years

Students enrolled in English language training programs will be limited to a maximum of 24 months. This time limit continues running during academic breaks and annual vacations.

Part of a Broader Shift in U.S. Immigration Policy

The elimination of D/S is not an isolated policy change. Rather, it is part of the Trump administration's broader effort to tighten immigration rules across multiple visa categories and increase government oversight of temporary immigration programs.

Earlier this year, the administration implemented significant reforms to the H-1B program, including replacing the long-standing lottery system with a weighted selection process that prioritizes higher-paid workers and introducing substantially higher employer filing fees. Combined with the new restrictions on F-1 and J-1 visa holders, these changes signal a clear policy direction toward greater scrutiny, more frequent government review, and fewer automatic immigration benefits.

For international students, this means that relying solely on temporary visa categories may become increasingly uncertain as immigration policies continue to evolve.

Looking Beyond F-1 and H-1B

As the U.S. immigration landscape becomes more restrictive for temporary visa holders, many international students are beginning to explore more permanent immigration pathways that are not dependent on employers or academic institutions.

Unlike F-1 or H-1B status, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program provides a direct path toward permanent residency. Once an investor files an eligible EB-5 petition while lawfully present in the U.S., many applicants may also qualify to file for Adjustment of Status concurrently, allowing them to apply for employment authorization (EAD) and travel document advance parole (AP) while their green card application is pending.

For students who want greater flexibility to work, change employers, or remain in the U.S. without being tied to continually changing nonimmigrant visa rules, EB-5 has become an increasingly attractive long-term option.

Why Thousands Are Choosing EB-5?

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Speak with our EB-5 specialist today and learn how the program can help you achieve permanent residency.

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