ISSS NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT FOR JULY 21, 2026
Additional Information Related to DHS Ending “Duration of Status” for F and J Nonimmigrants
On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule ending the long-standing “Duration of Status” (D/S) policy for F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants. The rule is currently scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
Under this new rule, international students, exchange visitors, and scholars will no longer be admitted to the United States for an indefinite period tied to their immigration status (referred to as “D/S”). Instead, they will be granted a fixed period of stay, followed by a limited 30 day grace period. Individuals who need to remain in the United States beyond their authorized period of stay will be required to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension of stay. The rule also introduces several additional changes, including new restrictions related to program extensions, transfers, changes in major, and changes in educational level.
Important Notice
This rule has been designated a “major rule” and is therefore subject to congressional review. While the current effective date is September 15, 2026, congressional action could delay, modify, or prevent implementation of the rule.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will continue to monitor developments and will provide updates if there are any changes resulting from the congressional review process.
Key Changes at a Glance
Under the new rule, admission to the United States for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars will include a fixed expiration date based on either:
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- The program end date listed on the immigration document, or
- Four years from the date of admission plus 30 days,
Whichever is shorter.
In most cases, individuals who are physically present in the United States when the rule takes effect may be permitted to retain D/S for up to four years, provided they maintain their immigration status, do not travel internationally, and do not require a program extension.
Additional changes include:
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- USCIS approval required for extensions of stay.
- Reduction of the F-1 grace period from 60 days to 30 days.
- New limitations on student mobility and academic changes, including restrictions on transferring between U.S. institutions and changing educational objectives, degree levels, or fields of study.
The full rule, Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media (156 pages), is available here.
More Information Forthcoming
We understand that this announcement may be concerning and raises many questions for members of Binghamton University’s international community.
Please know that ISSS is actively reviewing the rule and assessing its potential impact on students and scholars. Our team is working closely with national professional organizations, immigration attorneys, government-relations experts, and peer institutions across the country to better understand the implications of these changes.
We will provide a detailed analysis, additional guidance, and answers to frequently asked questions as soon as possible.
What You Should Do Now
While ISSS continues to evaluate the new regulations, it is essential to remain fully compliant with current immigration requirements. We encourage all international students and scholars to:
- Review your I-94 record and confirm whether your admission is currently listed as “D/S.”
- Maintain your immigration status by remaining enrolled full-time (if applicable) and continuing to meet all F-1 or J-1 requirements.
- Report any change of U.S. address within 10 days of moving.
- Review your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date. If you are discussing a bona fide program extension with your academic department (and your current program end date is in the near future), submit your extension request as soon as possible.
- Monitor your university email regularly and continue reading ISSS newsletters, announcements, and official communications for accurate and up-to-date information.
ISSS remains committed to supporting Binghamton University’s international students and scholars. We will continue to share timely updates and guidance as more information becomes available.
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