The US government has officially ended the 'Duration of Status' (D/S) system for F-1 students, with fixed periods of stay taking effect September 15, 2026. According to the Federal Register publication dated July 17, 2026, students entering the US on or after this date will receive admission for a fixed period instead of the earlier open-ended system. This change affects F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa holders, fundamentally altering how international students manage their immigration status in the United States. The rule is designated as a major regulation and is subject to congressional review, with litigation also possible.
Under the new rules, most F-1 students will receive admission valid for the duration of their academic programme, subject to a maximum of four years, and an additional 30-day grace period after completion. As reported by the Federal Register, this represents a significant reduction from the previous 60-day grace period after finishing studies. The four-year cap applies across F-1 and J-1 visas, with separate, shorter limits for some I-visa holders. The changes particularly impact students in doctoral programmes, research degrees and certain integrated courses that exceed four years, who will need to file Form I-539 (Extension/Change of Status) before their admit-until date expires or depart and seek readmission with updated documents.
Students who miss extension deadlines face serious penalties under the new framework. According to the Federal Register, those who overstay their authorised period will generally begin accumulating unlawful presence immediately after their permitted stay expires. The consequences include a three-year re-entry bar after more than 180 days of unlawful presence or a 10-year re-entry bar after one year or more of unlawful presence. These penalties may also affect future visa applications and changes of status, making timely extension applications critical for compliance. The familiar departure buffer has also been tightened, with the grace period cut to 30 days after program or OPT completion.
The new rules impose stricter limitations on academic program changes for F-1 students. As reported by the Federal Register, undergraduate students generally cannot change majors or programmes during the first year except in limited circumstances, while graduate students face stricter limits on changing programmes or transferring institutions. The final regulation prohibits F-1 foreign students who have completed a course of study at a particular educational level from undertaking programs at the same or lower level, though exceptions exist for students completing programs before September 15, 2026. F-1 students must complete their first academic year before transferring schools or changing objectives, and graduate-level students face strict limits on changing educational objectives or transferring during a program, absent narrow exceptions approved by DHS.
Current and incoming students must take immediate action to prepare for the new framework. According to the Federal Register, students should confirm their program end date, monitor their I-94 admit-until date, plan for any needed I-539 filings, and coordinate closely with their school's international office on transfers, level changes, OPT, and travel. Higher-education groups have countered that shifting extensions from campus advisers to federal adjudicators will strain an already backlogged system, complicate degree completion and research timelines, and risk dampening U.S. competitiveness for talent. Indian students planning to study in the US should implement several proactive measures, including keeping track of authorised stay and not relying solely on course duration, beginning extension planning several months before stay expires if programmes may exceed four years, and maintaining close contact with university international student offices.
