DHS Rule Ending Duration of Status (D/S)

Employment authorization which allows J-1 students to gain practical experience during or after their academic program. AT is authorized by OISS.

The date on your Form I-94 that indicates when your authorized period of admission expires. Starting September 15, 2026, all F and J students and scholars will be admitted for a specific end date that will be noted on your Form I-94. The AUD should include the grace period following your program.

The government agency responsible for admitting foreign nationals at U.S. ports of entry.

The government agency overseeing CBP, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The current framework (through September 14, 2026) under which F-1 and J-1 students and scholars are admitted, whereby they can remain in the U.S. as long as they continue to maintain their immigration status and have a valid Form I-20 or DS-2019.

An application submitted through Form I-539 to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain an additional period of authorized stay beyond the approved AUD.

The official Department of Homeland Security (DHS) record of admission that documents a foreign national’s immigration classification and authorized period of admission. It is issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a port of entry or by USCIS on an I-797 Notice of Action received from an EOS application.

An application submitted through Form I-765 to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain work authorization post-graduation which is available to F-1 international students.

An application submitted through Form I-765 to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain extended work authorization after a period of OPT. STEM OPT is only available for F-1 international students in eligible fields of study based on an approved DHS list.

USCIS oversees immigration-related petitions that are submitted from within the U.S. They are responsible for adjudicating EOS applications.

Updates regarding the rule and change can be found on the OISS DHS Rule Ending Duration of Status (D/S) webpage. This information constitutes our best verifiable interpretation at this time. 

On July 17, 2026, DHS published final regulatory changes replacing “duration of status” with a “fixed time period of admission” or AUD scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

No, the rule does not impact WashU’s ability to admit international students in any way.

No. One of the most common misconceptions about the new rule is that it creates a four-year limit on F-1 or J-1 immigration status. It does not.

Instead, four years is the maximum length of a single period of admission. Students and scholars may remain in F-1 or J-1 status beyond four years if they continue to satisfy the applicable immigration requirements and apply for and obtain additional periods of authorized stay as and when necessary.

This is particularly important for doctoral students, medical residents, postdoctoral researchers, and many exchange visitors, whose academic or research activities routinely extend beyond four years. Likewise, students participating in OPT, STEM OPT, or AT may also remain beyond their academic program when they continue to qualify for those benefits and apply for and obtain an additional period of authorized stay.

The new rule changes how additional time is requested and obtained, not whether additional time is available.

The rule applies to:

• F-1 academic students
• F-2 dependents
• J-1 students/exchange visitors
• J-2 dependents

Individuals who enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, will receive a fixed period of admission with an AUD shown on their Form I-94.

Individuals who were admitted in F or J status before September 15, 2026, for D/S, are covered by special transition provisions established in the regulation. This does not mean the new rule does not apply. Current students admitted with D/S can remain in the U.S. through the end date of their I-20, not to extend beyond 4 years past the rule effective date of September 15, 2026. They will not receive a new I-94 with an AUD unless they travel and re-enter or file an EOS and receive an I-797A approval notice which will have a new I-94 with a fixed AUD attached on the bottom of the form.

Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) and people in H-1B, O-1, TN, or any other non-immigrant status at WashU.

Yes. F-2 and J-2 dependents will also receive a fixed period of admission. The period of admission for F-2 and J-2 dependents may not exceed the authorized period of admission for the principal F-1/J-1 student or J-1 scholar. F-2 and J-2 dependents also need to apply for an EOS to remain in the United States beyond their AUD.

If an F-2 or J-2 dependent receives an AUD that is earlier than the F-1 or J-1 principal status holder, all members of the family are bound by that earlier AUD. Please contact OISS at oiss@wustl.edu in the event one or more dependents’ AUDs do not match the principal status holder’s AUD.

Yes, the AUD may be different from the program end date on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Typically:

For individuals with programs longer than four years who are admitted under D/S: The AUD should be four years from September 15, 2026 plus the grace period.

For individuals with programs longer than four years who enter on or after September 15, 2026: The AUD should be four years from the program start date, plus a 30-day grace period.

For students engaging in approved OPT or STEM OPT: The AUD should be the employment end date on the Employment Authorization Document, plus a 30-day grace period.

It depends:

• Students and Exchange Visitors traveling to the United States will receive an AUD from CBP at a U.S. port of entry. The AUD will be on the student’s Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” accessible from the Form I-94 website.
• Students and Exchange Visitors approved for an EOS or change to F-1 status or J-1 status within the U.S. (Form I-539) will receive an AUD from USCIS. The AUD will be listed on the Form I-94 attached to the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.” 

Students and Exchange Visitors can locate the AUD on their Form I-94 Record, accessible from the Form I-94 website. Students and Exchange Visitors approved for an EOS or change of status can locate the AUD on the Form I-94 attached to the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.”

Students and Exchange Visitors admitted under D/S will not see a new AUD until or unless they travel or are approved for an EOS through USCIS. This group can remain in the U.S. through the end date of their I-20 or DS-2019, not to extend beyond 4 years past the rule effective date of September 15, 2026.

An Extension of Stay (EOS) is a request submitted online or by paper with Form I-539 to USCIS to extend your authorized period of admission without leaving the United States.

F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 applicants can request an EOS by filing Form I-539, together with the required supporting documentation and filing fee (currently $420 for online filing and $470 for paper filing).

If approved, USCIS will issue a new Form I-94 (as part of the I-797 Notice of Action) with a new AUD, allowing you to remain in the U.S. for the approved period (including a 30-day grace period).

You may receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) for your EOS application while it is pending. If you receive a RFE from USCIS in response to your EOS application, please contact OISS right away.

If your EOS application is denied, you must leave the U.S. immediately. You are not given a grace period and will begin accruing lawful presence right away. If your EOS application is denied, please contact OISS right away.

An EOS extends your authorized stay, not your underlying academic program or exchange visitor activity. Before filing an EOS application, students and scholars must first obtain any necessary extension of their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 from OISS.

Many students and scholars will complete their academic programs, research appointments, or exchange visitor activities before their AUD expires.

However, an EOS may become necessary when:

• your academic program is longer than 4 calendar years;
• your research or exchange visitor appointment is extended;
• you require additional time to complete degree requirements;
• your OPT, STEM OPT, or AT continues beyond your current authorized stay; or
• another circumstance arises for which you would need additional time in F or J immigration status.

If you have plans to travel outside of the U.S. and have (or will apply for) a valid F or J visa, you may be eligible to request an extended period of stay from CBP. Students and Exchange Visitors must travel with their updated I-20/DS-2019 (if applicable), a recommendation from OISS that they receive additional time, and proof that the additional time is required.

This documentation makes an individual eligible to request entry to the U.S. It does not guarantee entry. The decision to allow entry to students and scholars is solely that of CBP. All current travel risks remain.

Whether travel or an EOS is preferable depends on the individual’s circumstances. Please contact OISS to discuss your specific case and review the OISS travel website.

After every international trip, students and scholars should promptly retrieve and review their new Form I-94 from the CBP website.

In particular, verify that:

• your immigration classification is correct (F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2);
• your AUD is consistent with your expected period of admission + 30 day grace period;
• your name and passport information are correct; and
• there are no obvious admission errors.

If you believe your Form I-94 contains an error, contact OISS as soon as possible. Errors are often easier to correct immediately after entry than weeks or months later.

If you will re-enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, contact OISS at oiss@wustl.edu before your return.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact OISS. We will continue to communicate updates as DHS and USCIS release further details.

If you complete your degree within the period authorized on your Form I-94, you may never need to apply for an additional period of authorized stay while pursuing your undergraduate degree. However, if you later participate in OPT, require additional semesters to complete your program, or otherwise remain in the United States beyond your AUD, you will need another period of authorized stay through either travel and readmission or an approved EOS.

It depends. There are restrictions on when and the types of students that can change their major.

F-1 students enrolled in programs at the undergraduate level cannot change their major during their first year of study.

F-1 students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change their major or program at any point during their program of study. 

You may be able to make changes to your major or program before the rule goes into effect. Work with your academic department as soon as possible on any changes. If your I-20 or DS-2019 reflect the wrong major or program, contact OISS.

Many students in master’s programs will complete their studies before their Form I-94 expires. However, students who plan to participate in OPT, continue directly into another (higher) degree program, or require additional time to complete their studies will eventually need to apply for an EOS to receive another period of authorized stay.

If you are in a PhD program and will earn a master’s degree along the way, this is allowed under immigration regulations. You can earn both degrees. The master’s degree will not be reflected on your I-20 and is considered “incidental” to your PhD program by the government. Upon completion of your PhD, you are eligible for Post-Completion OPT (or AT for J-1 students).

If you are in a PhD program and wish to “master out” of the program, meaning that you will complete the master’s degree and will not complete the PhD program, this is not allowed under new immigration regulations.

You are permitted academically to complete the master’s degree. At the time you drop your doctoral program, your SEVIS record will be terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal” of your PhD program. You will have a 15-day grace period to leave the U.S. You will not be eligible for Post-Completion OPT (or AT for J-1 students).

If you were admitted to the United States for D/S before September 15, 2026, simply being beyond your fourth year of study does not require you to leave the United States or immediately apply for an EOS. Most doctoral students already in the United States will continue under the transition provisions until their current program end date (or EAD expiration date, if applicable), subject to the overall transition deadlines established by the regulation.

Students admitted under “D/S” are permitted to stay in the U.S. through their I-20/DS-2019 program end date plus grace period (60 days for F-1 students, 30 days for J-1 students) or for up to 4 calendar years beyond September 15, 2026 plus grace period, whichever is earlier.

If you travel and reenter the U.S., you will receive a new I-94 with a specific AUD. This should match the end day calculated as listed above. However, F-1 students who travel will only receive a 30-day grace period included in their AUD (no longer a 60-day grace period).

You will be admitted for a fixed period of time rather than D/S. If your doctoral program extends beyond your initial period of admission (capped at 4 years), you will eventually need another period of authorized stay through either travel and readmission to the U.S. or by applying for an EOS from USCIS.

If your department extends your appointment and OISS issues an updated Form DS-2019, you should determine whether your current Form I-94 remains valid for the entire reappointment period. If your current admission will expire before the extended appointment ends, you will need another period of authorized stay through travel and readmission to the U.S. or by applying for an EOS from USCIS.

If you are graduating in Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Spring 2027, and eligible to apply for OPT, there are additional factors to consider now depending on timing. In the transition provisions, a student whose application for OPT is received by USCIS before March 18, 2027, does not need to also apply for an EOS. However, this transition provision no longer applies if you travel and reenter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026.

Because post-completion employment often extends beyond a student’s initial period of admission, many students will eventually need another lawful period of authorized stay. Whether an EOS is required depends on factors including when the student entered the U.S., whether the transition provisions apply, the timing of any international travel, and the expiration of the student’s current period of admission.

If you are currently on OPT and eligible to apply for STEM OPT, there are additional factors to consider now depending on timing. In the transition provisions, a student whose application for STEM OPT is received by USCIS before March 18, 2027, does not need to also apply for an EOS. However, this transition provision no longer applies if you travel and reenter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026.

Yes, current international students and scholars can continue to travel. If you will re-enter the U.S. before September 15, 2026, follow current OISS travel guidance. Students and scholars who enter before September 15, 2026 should still be admitted for D/S. Review the Student and Scholar travel webpages for our current guidance.

Students who are eligible and plan to apply for OPT before March 18, 2027, should check in with OISS before traveling outside the U.S.

Yes, current international students and scholars can continue to travel. However, as of Sept. 15, 2026, upon returning to the United States, these individuals will be admitted with a new fixed period of admission, which is the program end date on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, up to a maximum of four years (plus a 30-day grace period). Students and scholars who have plans to travel outside the U.S. and re-enter on or after September 15, 2026 should contact OISS at oiss@wustl.edu before travel.

Students who are eligible and plan to apply for OPT before March 18, 2027, should check in with OISS before traveling outside the U.S.