ISSS NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR JULY 16, 2026
ISSS Reviewing New Department of Homeland Security Regulation
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is set to publish a new regulation that will impact F-1 and J-1 students, scholars, and their dependents. The new regulation is expected to be published in the Federal Register tomorrow. This regulation will change the way that end dates are established for F and J status, and the new rules will place some additional restrictions and requirements on our international student and scholar populations. Please be advised that the changes in this new regulation will have a delayed effective date; at this point we expect the new rule to be effective on September 15, 2026.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services and other Binghamton University administrators are carefully reviewing this new regulation to ensure that we are able to provide the most accurate and updated information to our international community. We will send additional updates in the coming days and weeks to our entire international student and scholar listserv, as well as providing targeted emails and advising to specific populations, to ensure that all are aware who are impacted by this change.
As always, we encourage all of our international students and scholars to:
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- Use caution when planning travel outside the U.S. This is especially true if you are planning to travel outside the U.S. and return after the expected effective date of this new regulation.
- Apply for any needed I-20 or DS-2019 extensions as early as possible. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and you will need an extension beyond the current end date of your immigration document, you should apply for a program extension as soon as possible. If you are a J-1 scholar and you will need an extension beyond the current end date of your DS-2019, you should speak with your inviting professor about requesting an extension on your behalf.
- Apply for Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT, for J-1 students) as early as possible. If you are planning to apply for either of these opportunities, you should submit a complete request to ISSS as soon as possible. If you are currently on approved OPT and plan to apply for a STEM OPT extension, you should submit that request to ISSS as early as possible; you can apply for STEM OPT up to 90 days before the end of your OPT EAD card.
- Continue to monitor your Binghamton University email for important updates from ISSS on this and other topics.
We understand that regulatory changes of this scale can feel overwhelming and may prompt questions and concern. Please know that you are not navigating this alone. Our team is working diligently to review and interpret the new guidance so we can provide clear, accurate information as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience as we continue to assess the details and determine how they may affect our international community. Updates will be ongoing—please continue to monitor your email so you have the most current information and support throughout this transition.
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