US Ends Duration of Status for F, J, and I Visas: What Changes for Students in 2026

The United States of America is abolishing the “Duration of Status” system for student and exchange visas – find out what new restrictions await F, J and I visa holders, how the status extension procedure will change and what you need to do now

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For decades, international students in the United States of America have lived by a simple rule: you study - you stay. The Duration of Status (D/S) system gave them the flexibility that real academic life requires. But this rule is reaching its final months. The Trump administration is confidently advancing the reform, which is already being called the biggest change in student visa policy in thirty years. We tell you.

How to enter US universities in 2026? Detailed guide at the link.

Studying abroad is not only about diplomas and grades, but also legal subtleties that can determine the entire course of your educational trajectory.

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What is Duration of Status and why is it being abolished?

The D/S system has been in place for over three decades. It allows F and J student visa holders to remain in the United States for the duration of their studies – without a fixed departure date on Form I-94. Has the university decided to extend the deadline for completing their thesis? The DSO (Designated School Official) amends Form I-20, and the student continues to be legally in the country.

The government argues that it is this flexibility that has become a vulnerability. According to DHS, as of April 2026, at least 2,134 individuals who entered the United States on an F student visa between 2000 and 2010 are still in active F-1 status – that is, 16–26 years later. The agency cites national security risks and the inability to properly track visa violations. Critics, including NAFSA (the Association of International Educators), point to a lack of real data to support these claims: most of the problems can be solved simply by improving the SEVIS system, without breaking the entire architecture of student visas.

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How exactly does the US plan to change the Duration of Status system?

The proposed rule would replace the open-ended “Duration of Status” date on Form I-94 with a specific end date of stay tied to the length of the study program or four years – whichever is less.

The key changes are as follows:

1. Fixed term up to 4 years. The student will receive a specific date on Form I-94. If the program is shorter, the term will be appropriate. If it is longer, they will have to apply for an extension.

2. Extension through USCIS, not through the university. Currently, the extension request is processed directly by the DSO at the university. Under the new rule, students will file an official application (Form I-539) with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services along with a fee and biometric verification.

3. The grace period is halved. The current 60-day grace period after completing the program will be reduced to 30 days. This will significantly complicate job searching and obtaining OPT.

4. Language study restrictions. The maximum cumulative duration of language courses (IEP) will be 24 months, including breaks and vacations.

5. A ban on changing programs. Undergraduate students are prohibited from changing their major or transferring to another university during their first year. Graduate students lose this opportunity altogether.

Important! It is worth noting a new risk that did not exist before: now illegal stay begins to accumulate only after an official decision by USCIS or a court on a violation of status. Under the new rules, it will start automatically from the date the I-94 expires. This means much more serious consequences for those who miss the deadline.

Read also, the US launches paid expedited appointment for B-1/B-2 visa interviews.

What is the current status of the Duration of Status system change process?

The process is almost complete.

- On May 5, 2026, DHS submitted the final rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.

- On June 17, 2026, OMB/OIRA announced the completion of the review “with changes.”

The next step is to submit the rule to the Register of Federal Regulations for publication. Once published, the rule will take effect 60 days later. The new requirements are expected to apply to students arriving for the fall semester of 2026.

Important! Until the rule is published in the Federal Register, the D/S system remains in legal effect.

The ranking of the highest-paid professions in the United States is in this article.

New Duration of Status Requirements in the US Are a Hit for OPT and Graduate Studies

One of the biggest concerns is the fate of Optional Practical Training (OPT). USCIS Director Joseph Edlow has openly stated his desire to limit F-1 students’ access to post-graduation work authorization. Under the new rules, if a student’s I-94 expires 30 days after graduation and the application takes longer to process with USCIS, the student could lose legal status before they can start working.

The numbers illustrate the scale of the problem. International students make up nearly 70% of those enrolled in math and computer science programs, and more than half in engineering programs. In fields related to artificial intelligence, seven out of ten students are international. If STEM OPT becomes less available or riskier, these programs will be the first to feel the impact.

The situation is no less worrisome for graduate students. Doctoral programs in the US traditionally last between five and eight years. The four-year limit without automatic renewal means that every graduate student will be forced to contact USCIS in the middle of writing their dissertation – with unpredictable results.

The top 10 universities in Europe according to QS Europe 2026 in this article.

What universities say and why expect chaos?

Universities are already preparing for radical changes: they are rewriting websites, reworking admission procedures, reorganizing international student departments. The additional burden on USCIS will also not go away – and the already overloaded system will receive millions of new applications for renewal. According to DHS, the new rule will affect at least two million nonimmigrant visa holders each year.

Enrollment of international students at American universities for the spring semester of 2026 fell by 20% compared to the previous year, and a 17% reduction in new students for the fall of 2025 resulted in a loss of more than $1 billion in revenue for universities. The D/S rule will add a new wave of uncertainty to this.

The best countries to study and live abroad in 2026 at the link.

Can the Duration of Status rule be challenged in the United States?

Legal challenges are already being prepared. The argument will most likely be the same one that has worked many times before: the rule is “arbitrary and capricious” within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act. The government must prove that the need for the changes outweighs the harm they will cause – and there are big problems with the evidence here. NAFSA and the university community are already documenting specific examples of damages for further lawsuits.

In the meantime, NAFSA is blunt: if the rule goes into effect in its current form, the damage will be felt on college campuses, local communities, and the global positioning of the United States as a country to study.

For the TOP fully funded scholarships to study abroad in 2026, see our previous article.

What should international students planning to study in the US do now?

If you are an international student or planning to enroll in a US university, there is no need to delay. Here are the minimum things you should do:

1. Check with your DSO for the exact date of completion of your program as indicated on your I-20 form;

2. Plan a time buffer for filing an extension application through USCIS - the process can take months;

3. Monitor the publication of the final rule in the Federal Register;

4. Consult with an immigration lawyer or education lawyer about your specific situation.

The rules of the game are changing. And the best defense is to know about these changes in advance.

Changes to the US visa system are exactly the moment when a mistake in the documents or a missed deadline can be very expensive: from loss of status to a multi-year entry ban.

Visit World's education lawyer specializes in supporting students at all stages - from choosing a program and consulting on a student visa to supporting you in emergency situations and representing your interests in conflicts with an educational institution.

If the rules are changing, and you plan to study in the USA in 2026, professional legal advice is not a luxury, but a necessity. A specialist will help you navigate the new requirements for extending your status, correctly calculate the deadlines and avoid critical mistakes.

Get advice today and move into the future with confidence tomorrow!

Reminder! In 2026, obtaining a Green Card in the USA has become much more difficult due to the strengthening of immigration policy and new checks on applicants. The authorities are introducing stricter control rules that affect both new candidates and existing residents. We have already told you what changes are already in effect and how they may affect your plans to move to the USA.

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