DHS Final Rule
On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a that eliminate duration of status (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants and add new academic mobility restrictions for F-1 students.
Final rule effective date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
If you have questions specifically related to the new rule, please email them to our dedicated mailbox for the rule: DHSRule@memphis.edu.
ISS will continue to monitor the implementation of the rule and any additional guidance from the government and will provide further information on this webpage as it becomes available. Please check this webpage regularly for the latest updates, instructions, and resources related to these changes.
Major Changes
Under the new rule, F-1 students and F-2 dependents who enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, will no longer be admitted for Duration of Status (D/S). Instead, they will be assigned a specific period of authorized stay. This period will be determined by the I-20 program end date plus a 30-day grace period, not to exceed 4 years, whichever is earlier.
Example 1: A continuing student travels and re-enters the U.S. on January 5, 2027. The student presents an I-20 showing a program end date of May 4, 2028 to the U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry. The student will likely be assigned a fixed admission period expiring on or around June 3, 2028 (May 4 + 30 days grace period).
Example 2: A continuing student travels and re-enters the U.S. on January 5, 2027. The student presents an I-20 showing a program end date of May 8, 2031 to the CBP officer at the port of entry. The student will likely be assigned a fixed admission period expiring on or around January 4, 2031 (maxmium 4 years from the date of re-entry).
Admit Unit Date (AUD)
- Reflected on the
- Last day the individual is authorized to remain in the U.S.
- Must depart the U.S. or take an authorized action to extend the stay before this date
- Students must monitor their AUD and avoid overstay.
Extension beyond the AUD
Option 1: FIling with USCIS
Require a recommended I-20 from ISS.
Option 2: Travel and Re-enter
Situations that student need to extend the AUD
- Need additional time to complete the program
- Apply for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extension
- Start a new degree program or transfer to another school after completing the program
F-2 dependents
The length of an F-2 dependent鈥檚 authorized stay is dependent on the F-1 student鈥檚 authorized stay. F-2 dependents cannot remain in the United States beyond the F-1 student鈥檚 authorized period, even if their own immigration documents show a later expiration date. If the F-1 student needs to extend their stay in the United States, they must also request an extension for their F-2 dependents.
The final rule reduces the grace period to 30 days.Students must prepare for departure, change status, apply for post-completion OPT, change to a higher education level, or transfer during this period.
Undergraduate Students
Students must complete their first academic year of a program of study at the school that initially issued their I-20 before changing major, changing educational level, or transferring schools, unless an exception is authorized by SEVP for extenuating circumstances.
Graduate Students
Students are not permitted to change their major or educational level at any point during their program of study. They may allow a school transfer only if SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
Examples of Extenuating Circumstances
- A school closure
- School鈥檚 prolonged inability to hold in-person classes due to a natural disaster
- Other causes that are beyond student's control
This exception is narrow, intended only to preserve continuity of study in emergency situations, and does not guarantee a transfer or authorize a change in educational objective.
Eligibility to enroll in a new degree program
After completion of a program, students who wish to begin a new program can only change to a higher educational level. For example, students completing a master's degree may begin a new doctoral degree program but may not start another master's degree program or a bachelor's degree program.
Transition Provisions for Current Students
The rule does not include any grandfathering provision. Instead, it provides only a temporary and limited transition period for students who are already in the U.S. before the effective date of the rule and remain in the U.S. after the effective date of the rule. The tranistion provisions are:
- Grace period remains 60 days.
- Students may remain in the U.S. until their I-20 Program End Date, not to exceed 4 years from September 15, 2026, plus 60-day grace period.
Example 1: If student's I-20 Program End Date is May 10, 2029, the AUD will be July
9, 2029.
Example 2: If student's I-20 Program End Date is December 8, 2031, the AUD will be
November 14, 2030.
- If students file OPT on or before March 16, 2027 (within 6 months after the rule effective date), there is no need to file I-539 for extension of stay.
FAQ and Resources
For more information including FAQs, please visit the following DHS page:
Other resources: