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Due to recently announced federal immigration rule changes affecting international students and visiting scholars in the United States, immigration information on this website is subject to change. The new rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. Ohio State is reviewing the changes and will update this website as additional information becomes available.

Duration of Status: Final Rule

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final rule in the Federal Register that ends “duration of status,” which previously allowed those on F or J visas to remain in the United States as long as necessary to complete their academic program, practical training or research activity provided they continue to meet all immigration requirements.

The final rule is set to take effect on September 15, 2026 and impacts how international students, scholars and exchange visitors are admitted to programs, restricts changes to programs and place limitations on the length of time they can stay in the United States.

Key changes for F and J students and scholars:

  • Removes the “duration of status” notation for F and J students and scholars upon admission to the United States and changes it to a fixed end date/“admit until date (AUD)”. The AUD will be the program end date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period for those that enter the United States on or after September 15, 2026.Currently duration of status allows students and scholars to be admitted and stay in the United States as long as they are maintaining their non-immigrant status, such as enrolling full time, making progress towards completing a degree or research activity. Under the new rule, students and scholars unable to finish their academic programs/research activity within four years would be required to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application and pay a fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request an extension to remain in the United States to finish their academic programs/research activity.
  • Prohibits undergraduate students from transferring schools or changing academic programs/majors within their first academic year, unless granted an exception from the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP). Currently students can leave Ohio State and obtain admission to another school to continue an academic program or change their major at any time.
  • Prohibits graduate students from changing their academic program or transferring to a different school at any point in their degree program, unless granted an exception from SEVP. Currently students can make changes in their academic program or leave Ohio State to attend another school any time during their graduate program.
  • Prohibits F-1 students from pursuing another academic program at the same or lower education level. Students who complete an academic program in F-1 status in the United States after September 15, 2026 will not be allowed to matriculate at the same or lower education level.
  • Limits participation in English Language Training programs to 24 months. Currently there is no limit.
  • Shortens the F-1 student grace period from 60 days to 30 days. Currently, that period is 60 days for F-1 students.
  • Allows certain transition provisions for F-1 or J-1 students and scholars currently in the United States admitted for duration of status on the implementation date of the final rule. Current students and scholars will not need to apply for a date certain I-94, but will need to apply for an extension of stay with USCIS if they plan to remain in the United States beyond their current program end date up to November 14, 2030 for F-1 students (four years plus a 60-day grace period) and up to October 15, 2030 for J-1 students and scholars (four years plus a 30-day grace period), whichever is shorter. If F-1 students do not depart the United States after September 15, 2026, they will retain their 60-day grace period.

Certain F-1 students covered by the transition provisions do not need to file a separate EOS application for post-completion OPT or STEM if they timely file an I-765 with USCIS on or before March 18, 2027. Travel and readmission with a fixed end date will eliminate the benefit.

Academic restrictions will apply to all as of September 15, 2026, regardless of travel.

If F-1/J-1 students or scholars travel outside of the United States on or after September 15, 2026, they will be admitted with a fixed-term end date and be subject to the new rule.

Quick facts and FAQs about the new rule, including the application of the transition period, are available on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s Study in the States website.

The Office of International Affairs will continue to provide updates on this important issue as new information becomes available.