�鶹��Ѱ�����

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. government published a rule changing the regulations governing individuals in F and J visa status. The rule eliminates Duration of Status (D/S) admission and replaces it with a rule that limits the admission (duration of stay) of students in F-1 status to a maximum of four years. Such students must apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension if they wish to stay beyond their original period of admission. The new rule also limits “changes in educational objectives” (major or educational level) and transfers to other universities for students in F-1 status. The rule also decreases the grace period following completion of one’s degree program to 30 days.

The new rule eliminating D/S takes effect on Sept. 15, 2026. The current D/S rule remains in effect until that date.

The new rule introduces the following:

• Starting on Sept. 15, 2026, admission to the United States in F or J status will have a fixed admission end date on the Form I-94, referred to as the “Admit Until Date” (AUD).
• Students in F status who are admitted to the U.S. with a fixed AUD must subsequently apply to the U.S. government to request an extension beyond their AUD if they require additional time in the United States to complete their academic degree program.
• Students currently in the U.S. in F status (who were admitted with the D/S rule prior to Sept. 15, 2026) who travel internationally or apply to the U.S. government for an extension will transition to a fixed end date, which will be either the end date on their current Form I-20 or 4 years, whichever is earlier plus a 30-day grace period.
• The grace period to depart the U.S. upon expiration of status for students in F status decreases from 60 days to 30 days, if the student enters the United States in F status on or after Sept. 15, 2026.
• New prohibitions and limits impact the ability of a student in F status to change educational objectives including transferring schools, changing majors, and changing the level of educational study. (Details are below.)

The Admit Until Date (AUD), as noted on an individual’s Form I-94 arrival record, is the date that the individual's U.S. immigration status expires, provided they otherwise maintain their immigration status.

Previously, international students and scholars in F and J immigration status were admitted to the United States with an AUD of Duration of Status (D/S). The new rule eliminates D/S and replaces it with a fixed admission (stay) end date.

It depends on when the student last entered the United States on a F-1 visa or changed to F status. See below for detailed information. There are “transition” rules for students who are in F status in the United States prior to Sept.15, 2026. Different rules apply to students who are granted F-1 status on or after that date.

If you were admitted to the U.S. in F status prior to Sept. 15, 2026, and have not violated your F status, the transition provisions apply to you.

Students in F status in the United States prior to Sept. 15, 2026, may maintain the D/S admission end date provided they do not travel outside the United States on or after Sept. 15, 2026. The D/S admission end date is until the earlier ofthe program end date on your most recent Form I-20 or Sept. 14, 2030. If you do not��depart and reenter the United States on or after Sept. 15, 2026, you will retain your 60-day grace period upon completion of your degree program.

For students in F-1 status in an approved period of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (regular or STEM OPT) prior to Sept. 15, 2026, with an EAD in hand, their D/S admission end dates remain valid until the expiration dates of their valid Employment Authorization Documents. If you do not depart and reenter the United States on or after Sept. 15, 2026, you will retain your 60-day grace period upon expiration of your authorized period of OPT or STEM OPT.

No, students in valid F status who are inside the United States before Sept. 15, 2026, and have D/S on their Form I-94 do not need to take any action if you do not intend to travel internationally.

If the program end date on your Form I-20 is approaching and you need additional time to complete your degree, you have two options:

1. Apply for an extension from within the United States by requesting an updated Form I-20 from ISSS recommending an extension of your program end date. You must then submit Form I-539 to USCIS to request an extension of your F-1 status.
2. Request an updated Form I-20 from ISSS with a new program end date prior to leaving the United States. Apply to reenter the United States at a U.S. port of entry using the updated Form I-20 with a valid travel signature from an ISSS Designated School Office (DSO) and a valid F-1 visa. If admitted, you will receive a new Form I-94 with a new, extended AUD.

Important: Requirements and risks vary by option. ISSS can provide general information and guidance about your options but cannot provide individualized legal advice. Contact ISSS before taking action to ensure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.

Students that reenter the United States in F-1 status on or after Sept. 15, 2026, will receive a fixed admission end date on their Form I-94 arrival record and the duration of their grace period after completion of studies or authorized period OPT will be only 30 days. The fixed admission end date will be either the end date on their current Form I-20 or 4 years, whichever is earlier.

Students in F status that require time beyond their AUD to complete the requirements for their degree must submit prior to their AUD date a Form I-539 to the USCIS to request an extension of their F status (period of stay).

If you need time beyond the date on your Form I-94 to complete your degree you must either:

1. File Form I-539 with USCIS to request an extension of your F status or
2. Check that your Form I-20 has a valid travel signature from an ISSS Designated School Official (DSO) and that your F-1 visa stamp and your passport will be valid when you intend to reenter the United States. Exit the United States and apply for admission at a U.S. port of entry, requesting an updated Form I-94 with a new AUD.��

The government official will issue a new Form I-94 with an AUD that should match the Form I-20 end date or will be 4 years after the date of re-entry, whichever date is sooner.

Important: Requirements and risks vary by option. ISSS can provide general information and guidance about your options but cannot provide individualized legal advice. Contact ISSS before taking action to ensure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.

You must first request a program extension through the ISSS office and provide documentation of a compelling academic or medical circumstance that requires the extension. ISSS will review your request and supporting documentation to determine whether you may be eligible for a program extension.

If ISSS determines that you may be eligible, it will issue a new Form I-20 recommending an extension of your program. You must then submit the new Form I-20, along with Form I-539 and the applicable filing fees, to USCIS to request an extension of your F-1 status. USCIS will make the final decision to approve or deny your request.

You must first request a program extension through the ISSS office and provide documentation of a compelling academic or medical circumstance that requires the extension. ISSS will review your request and supporting documentation to determine whether you may be eligible for a program extension. If ISSS determines that you may be eligible, it will issue a new Form I-20 recommending an extension of your program.

You must then depart the United States before your AUD and apply for reentry in F status at a U.S. Port of Entry. When applying for reentry, you must present your new Form I-20 with a valid travel signature, a valid F visa, and a valid passport. Ultimately, the U.S. government official at the U.S. Port of Entry will determine whether you are admitted to the United States in F status and for how long.

When the new rule takes effect on Sept. 15, 2026, graduate students cannot transfer to another university to complete their degrees unless the U.S. government authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.

No, graduate students will not be allowed to change their majors at any point during their degree programs once the new rule takes effect.

No, starting on Sept. 15, 2026, a graduate student in F-1 status will not be able to downgrade their educational level during their program of study.

Yes, but only after you complete one full academic year at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder unless the U.S. government authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.��

Yes, but only after you complete one full academic year at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder unless the U.S. government authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.

Yes, but only after you complete one full academic year at �鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder unless the U.S. government authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.

Yes, both undergraduate and graduate students can change to a program of study at a higher educational level. You will need to apply for an extension with USCIS or exit and re-enter with a new Form I-20. Contact ISSS for additional information.

No, all students in F-1 status will be prohibited from changing to a program of study at a lower educational level after completion of another program of study.

No, all students in F-1 status will be prohibited from changing to a program of study at the same educational level after completion of a program of study.

You do not need to take any action. You hold valid F-1 status until the end date of your EAD with a 60-day grace period after that date.

When you reenter the United States and present your most recent Form I-20 (with a valid DSO travel signature) and your valid EAD, F visa stamp, and passport the government official will issue you a new Form I-94 with an AUD until the end date of your EAD plus a 30-day grace period. Please contact ISSS prior to your departure.

You do not have to refile the Form I-765 for the EAD. You do not have to file for an extension of stay. If your EAD application is approved on or after Sept. 15, 2026, you will be authorized to stay in the United States in F-1 status until the end date of your EAD plus you will have a 60-day grace period after that date.