Effective September 15, 2026
International students in the United States will face significant changes beginning September 15, 2026, when a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule eliminating the traditional “Duration of Status” or D/S system for F, J, and I nonimmigrants takes effect. For decades, many F-1 students were admitted for “Duration of Status,” meaning they generally could remain in the United States while properly maintaining their student status rather than having a specific expiration date controlling their authorized stay.
Under the new rule, that system changes significantly. Students will need to pay much closer attention to their authorized admission period, program dates, employment authorization, and potential applications to extend their stay. The changes are particularly important for students planning to use Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or STEM OPT.
1. F-1 Students Will Now Have a Specific Period of Admission
One of the most significant changes is that F-1 students will no longer simply rely on D/S for the duration of their studies. Under the new rule, the period of admission generally will be limited to the length of the program listed on the current Form I-20 or a maximum of four years, whichever is shorter.
This makes immigration planning much more important. A student whose academic program, OPT, STEM OPT, or other authorized activity extends beyond the student’s authorized admission date may need to take additional steps to extend the period of authorized stay.
2. The F-1 Grace Period Is Reduced From 60 Days to 30 Days
Another major change affects the amount of time students have after completing their academic program. Previously, F-1 students generally had a 60-day grace period after completing their program or authorized practical training. Under the new rule, that period is reduced to only 30 days.
This shorter period means students must plan much earlier for what happens after graduation, including:
- Applying for OPT;
- Changing immigration status;
- Beginning another qualifying academic program;
- Making appropriate arrangements for continued lawful stay; or
- Departing the United States.
Waiting until graduation to consider these options may create unnecessary immigration problems.
3. Important New Restrictions Affecting CPT
Students who already have properly authorized CPT are not expected to lose that existing authorization merely because the new rule takes effect. However, the rule creates additional restrictions that may affect future CPT eligibility.
Among the changes identified in the practice guidance are restrictions on F-1 students enrolling in degree programs at an academic level they have already completed and restrictions affecting graduate students who seek to change their degree program or educational objective. These changes could have significant consequences for students who planned their education around a second degree, a change in graduate program, or future CPT opportunities.
4. OPT Is Still Available—but the Filing Deadline Changes
The new rule does not eliminate Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students seeking post-completion OPT will continue to generally obtain an OPT recommendation from their school’s Designated School Official (DSO), receive an updated Form I-20, and file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with USCIS.
However, the post-completion filing window becomes shorter. The practice pointer explains that the filing period changes from: 90 days before program completion through 60 days afterward to: 90 days before program completion through only 30 days afterward.
Students therefore have significantly less time after completing their studies to properly submit an OPT application.
5. Some Students May Need to File Form I-539 in Addition to Form I-765
This is one of the most important practical consequences of the new system. A student’s employment authorization and authorized period of admission may not necessarily end on the same date. If the student’s authorized admission expires before the anticipated OPT end date, the student may need to extend the authorized admission period.
According to the practice guidance, students may potentially accomplish this by either:
- Filing Form I-539 with USCIS to extend their authorized stay; or
- Traveling internationally and seeking a new admission to the United States.
DHS recommends that extension applications be filed at least 180 days before the authorized admission expiration date. As a result, some students who previously expected to simply file an I-765 for OPT may now find themselves dealing with both an I-765 employment authorization application and an I-539 extension-of-stay application.
6. International Travel Can Have Serious Consequences
Students should be particularly careful about international travel while an I-539 extension application is pending. The practice pointer warns that travel abroad may result in abandonment of a pending Form I-539, subject to the circumstances described in the rule.
In certain circumstances, a student may instead return using a valid F-1 visa and appropriate documentation, including the OPT-authorized Form I-20 and Form I-765 receipt, and seek admission based on the anticipated OPT period. Because travel can affect a pending extension request, students should obtain individualized advice before leaving the United States while an immigration application is pending.
7. USCIS Processing Delays Could Affect OPT
A particularly concerning issue is the interaction between Form I-539 and Form I-765 processing times. Although the rule indicates that the two applications may be adjudicated simultaneously, the practice pointer warns that students could potentially receive Requests for Evidence asking for proof that the I-539 has been approved.
More importantly, delays in adjudicating the I-539 and I-765 could reduce—or potentially eliminate—a student’s available OPT period. DHS also confirmed that premium processing is not currently available for these I-539 extension-of-stay applications and did not commit to making it available in the future. This makes early planning extremely important.
8. STEM OPT Continues, Including the 180-Day Automatic Extension
There is some good news for STEM students. The existing 180-day automatic employment authorization extension for qualifying STEM OPT applicants remains unchanged. A student whose initial post-completion OPT EAD is expiring and who timely files for the 24-month STEM OPT extension can continue working under the applicable 180-day automatic extension rules.
However, if the student’s authorized admission date does not cover the entire recommended STEM OPT period, the student may still need to address the admission period through an I-539 extension or qualifying international travel and readmission.
9. Certain Students May Receive Up to a 240-Day Work Authorization Extension
The rule also provides an automatic extension of up to 240 days for certain categories of student employment, including:
- On-campus employment;
- CPT;
- Special Student Relief; and
- Severe economic hardship employment authorization.
However, the extension is subject to important requirements. The extension application must have been filed while the student remained work-authorized before the program end date shown on the Form I-20.
Importantly, an extension application filed during the new 30-day grace period does not provide an automatic extension of work authorization.
10. Students Should Be Extremely Careful About Unauthorized Employment and Social Media
The new environment also makes consistency in a student’s immigration and employment history increasingly important. The practice guidance specifically cautions students to make sure the dates and descriptions of their employment history are consistent across:
- Immigration applications;
- Visa and status documents;
- Résumés and CVs; and
- Social-media platforms such as LinkedIn.
Students should also be cautious about describing unpaid internships as employment or engaging in activities that could potentially constitute unauthorized self-employment, including certain influencer or name/image/likeness income activities. The guidance warns that USCIS social-media vetting may make unauthorized employment easier for immigration authorities to identify, potentially resulting in Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny, or denials.
11. Important Transition Protection for Certain Current F-1 Students
Students already in the United States when the rule takes effect should pay particularly close attention to the transition provisions.
According to the practice pointer, students who are physically present in the United States and maintaining F-1 status on September 15, 2026 may be eligible to apply for post-completion OPT without filing an I-539 extension-of-stay application if they apply by March 18, 2027, subject to the applicable transition rules. For students who qualify, this transition period could be extremely important.
What Should F-1 Students Do Now?
Students should not wait until their I-20, authorized admission period, or employment authorization is close to expiring. The new system requires students to coordinate several different dates: the program end date, authorized admission expiration date, OPT/STEM OPT dates, EAD expiration date, I-539 filing requirements, and international travel.
A mistake involving any one of these dates could potentially affect lawful status or employment authorization. Students should therefore review their Form I-20, I-94/admission information, anticipated graduation date, OPT or STEM OPT plans, and any planned international travel well in advance.
The Bottom Line
The September 15, 2026 rule does not eliminate F-1 status, CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT. However, it significantly changes how international students must maintain their authorized stay in the United States. The elimination of Duration of Status means that immigration compliance will become much more date-driven.
For many students, immigration planning will no longer involve simply maintaining a valid I-20 and complying with F-1 requirements. Students may also need to carefully monitor their authorized admission expiration date and, in some circumstances, file additional applications with USCIS to remain authorized throughout their academic or practical-training period. Because the consequences of missing a deadline can be significant, international students should begin planning well before their current authorized period expires.
Important: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules are highly fact-specific, and students should obtain individualized advice regarding their immigration status, employment authorization, travel, or extension-of-stay requirements.
