New DHS Final Rule for F-1 Students

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule in the Federal Register, "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media." The rule amends the regulations that provide the framework for a fixed period of admission, extension of stay (EOS) and maintenance of status for F nonimmigrant students.

The final rule will take effect on Sept. 15, 2026. F students will continue to be admitted to the United States for duration of status until this date.

Beginning on Sept. 15, 2026, F students will be admitted for a fixed period of time instead of duration of status. This fixed period of time is based on the length of a student's program of study listed on their Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for arrival and an additional 30-day period for departure. Students who need additional time to complete their program of study, begin a new program of study, or to engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT must apply for an extension of stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission from U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon reentry.

F students in the United States admitted with duration of status prior to Sept. 15, 2026, can remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their Form I-20/DS-2019 or the end of their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extension, not to exceed Nov. 14, 2030 (four years, plus a 60-day departure period). Additional information about transitioning from duration of status to a fixed period of admission is available in the final rule.

The final rule introduces major changes related to maintaining F nonimmigrant student status:
Change of educational level: F students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change educational levels during their first year of study, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances. Students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change educational levels during their program of study.

Additionally, students are prohibited from the following after completion of a program of study:

• Changing to a program of study at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a master’s program to a bachelor’s program); or
• Changing to a program of study at the same educational level (e.g., moving from a bachelor’s program to a bachelor’s program).
• Change of major: F students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change their major during their first year of study, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances. Additionally, students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change their majors at any point during their program of study.
• Transfer: F students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot transfer to another school during the first year of a program of study and must complete their first year at the school that initially issued their Form I-20, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances. Students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot transfer at any point during their program of study, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
• Departure period: F students now have 30 days to depart the United States after completion of their program of study or post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extension, a decrease from the previous 60-day period.

Students should review resources on Study in the States and the final rule to familiarize themselves with these changes.