Final Rule FAQs | Office of International Affairs

The Office of International Affairs anticipates more information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding specific application procedures and form changes in the coming weeks and months. This website will continue to be updated with additional guidance and resources as new information becomes available.

What is “Duration of Status?”

For over 30 years, the Department of Homeland Security’s “duration of status” rule has allowed individuals on F and 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 F and J visa categories include:
- F-1 students and F-2 dependents
- J-1 exchange visitors (students and scholars) and J-2 dependents

Individuals admitted under duration of status have an I-94 record indicating “D/S” as the admit-until date, meaning they may remain in the United States as long as they maintain valid immigration status and comply with the terms of their program, as documented on Form I-20 (for F status) or DS-2019 (for J status).

The final rule eliminated duration of status and now there is a fixed period of time in which F and J visa holders can remain in the United States.

What is a “fixed admission date”/ “Admit Until Date (AUD)?”

All students who enter the United States on or after the effective date of September 15, 2026 will have a maximum of four years or the length of the program (based on the program end date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019), whichever is shorter. The Admit Until Date (AUD) will be listed on the I-94. This "Admit Until Date" (AUD) will be limited to the program end date noted on their Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a period of 30 days following their program end date.

Is the AUD different than my program end date?

Yes, the program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 indicates how long it should take you to complete your academic program. Your authorized period of stay is based on the program end date (not to exceed four years) and includes the grace period (30 days for those who enter the United States after September 15, 2026; 60 days for those with continuous presence in the United States after September 15, 2026).

What is my AUD and how is it calculated?

For programs less than four years: AUD is program end date plus 30-day grace period
- If your program end date is less than four years:
  - AUD = Program End Date + 30-day grace period
  - Scenario #1: My program dates are August 25, 2026 - May 7, 2028
    My AUD is June 6, 2028 (May 7, 2028 + 30-day grace period)
- F-1 students who do not depart the United States after September 15, 2026 will retain their original 60-day grace period
For programs more than four years: AUD is four years from the program start date, plus 30-day grace period initially. If you need more time to complete your academic program after four years, you will need to apply for an extension of stay (EOS) with USCIS or travel with an updated immigration document.
- If your Program End Date is more than four years:
  - AUD = Four years + 30-day grace period (the AUD will be shorter than your program end date as listed on your I-20 or DS-2019)
  - Scenario #2: My program dates are August 25, 2026 - May 4, 2031
    My AUD is September 23, 2030 (August 24, 2030 + 30-day grace period)
- F-1 students who do not depart the United States after September 15, 2026 will retain their original 60-day grace period
For OPT/STEM: AUD is the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) end date plus 30-day grace period
- If you are on post-completion OPT/STEM OPT:
  - AUD = EAD card end date + 30-day grace period
  - Scenario #3: I am on post-completion OPT and my EAD card is valid from May 10, 2026 - May 9, 2027
    My AUD is June 8, 2027 (May 9, 2027 + 30-day grace period)
- F-1 students who do not depart the United States after September 25, 2026 will retain their original 60-day grace period
The International Student Resource Center has designed a new resource to assist international students in determining what the effective end date will be if students or scholars are present in the United States with a D/S notation before September 15, 2026, or what the Admit Until Date will be, if they enter on or after September 15, 2026.

ISRC D/S End Date Calculator Tool

Please note: This resource tool is for guidance only and every effort should be made to double check your program end date or admit until date with an immigration specialist at the Office of International Affairs.

When will this new change become effective?

Sixty days from when it was published in the federal register – September 15, 2026 – unless delayed by litigation or congressional review.

Will there be a transition period?

If students are physically present in the United States on September 15, 2026 and have been previously admitted under duration of status, they can remain in the United States without applying for an extension of stay (EOS) until the end date listed on their current I-20 (including post completion OPT or STEM OPT if currently authorized) or DS-2019, not to exceed November 14, 2030 (four years from the implementation date, plus the 60-day grace period) for F-1s and October 15, 2030 for J-1s (four years from the implementation date, plus the 30-day grace period). If a student’s program requires additional time beyond October/November 2030, students will need to apply for an EOS with USCIS. Students will not remain under the transition period if they depart and re-enter the United States after the effective date of September 15.
If students are currently in the United States and will be filing an OPT application within six months of the effective date of the rule (by March 18, 2027), students will not be required to apply for an EOS in addition to their I-765.

Where can I access my I-94?

Students can access their I-94 at cbp/gov/i94. You should check your I-94 after every entry into the United States to verify that the information is correct.
Make sure to check all of the details on the I-94 every time you enter the United States:
- Most recent date of entry: Be sure that it reflects your most recent date of entry into the United States
- Class of Admission: This should be F-1 or J-1
- Admit until Date: Students who enter on or after September 15, 2026, will have an AUD instead of D/S.
If all details look correct, be sure to save the I-94 for your records every time you enter the United States.
- If any details look inaccurate, such as the admit until date, please contact the Office of International Affairs at iss@osu.edu.

What else is included in the new rule?

Shortens the grace period from 60 days to 30 days for F-1 students to remain in the United States after they complete their academic program.
Undergraduates must attend the school listed on their U.S. visa and will not be permitted to transfer or change majors within the first academic year, unless approved for an exception from SEVP, which is rare and granted on a case-by-case basis.
Graduate students must graduate with the major that is listed on their initial I-20 and will not be permitted to change programs at any point, unless approved for an exception from SEVP, which is rare and granted on a case-by-case basis.
After completing a degree program in the United States after September 15, 2026, students are no longer permitted to pursue a degree at the same or lower level. (e.g. if students completed a master’s degree, they cannot pursue a second master’s degree; if students completed a PhD, they cannot pursue a master’s degree, etc.).
American Language Program students will have a two-year program limit.

What if I need more time to complete my program?

Students will need to apply for an extension of status with USCIS (Form I-539) and pay a $420 fee if they file online. (subject to change)

What are acceptable reasons to request an Extension of Stay?

Compelling academic reasons
Documented medical illness
Circumstances beyond the student’s control

Can I continue to study while my Extension of Stay is pending?

Yes, as long as your EOS application was received by USCIS in a timely manner (before your AUD end date), you can continue your studies while your application is pending.

Can I continue to work while my Extension of Stay is pending?

Yes, as long as your EOS application was received by USCIS in a timely manner (before the I-20 program end date), you can continue working on campus, on CPT or Severe Economic Hardship for up to 240 days while your application is pending. If your application is not approved by the end of your 240-day window, you must stop employment.

Will I need to apply for an Extension of Stay along with my OPT or STEM OPT application?

Yes. These applications can be filed concurrently but will require two separate filing fees. Students cannot begin employment on OPT until both their EOS and EAD have been approved for OPT. STEM extensions will still receive the 180-day automatic extension upon filing the I-765 with USCIS.

Will I need to apply for an extension of stay if I do a change of level at Ohio State or transfer to a new school to start a new degree program?

What happens if my Extension of Stay is denied?

The denial may not be appealed, but you may be able to file a motion to reopen if you have new facts or evidence that was not previously available. Students and any dependents must depart the United States by their original AUD date or immediately if that date has already passed – there is no grace period to depart the United States after a denial.

5. What happens if my I-94 expires?

Remaining in the United States after your authorized period of admission expires may result in:
Loss of lawful status and accrual of unlawful presence
Loss of employment authorization
Difficulty obtaining future visas
Possible removal proceedings
Problems returning to the United States

It is absolutely essential that students are aware and keep track of their program end date, employment authorization end date (if applicable) and their admit until date.

How will these changes impact my dependents?

Dependents will also receive a fixed end date and will need to apply for an EOS with USCIS to remain in the United States past their AUD.

They can be included in the primary EOS and will not need additional fees
They can also file separately, but would then need to pay their own fees

Generally, USCIS will grant the maximum period of stay authorized for the principal nonimmigrant, but there may be situations where one family member’s time limitation is less than the principal's (example: a child aging out).

When will this new change become effective?

On September 15, 2026, 60 days from when it was published in the federal register – unless delayed by litigation or congressional review.

What do I need to do right now?

Review your immigration documents.

Review your anticipated degree completion, research or program timeline.
Check the program end date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you know you will need more time to complete your program, apply for an extension now. Make sure the Office of International Affairs has extended your I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026.
Check your I-94 record.

What if I have questions specific to my individual circumstances?

The Office of International Affairs anticipates more information from DHS regarding specific application procedures and form changes in the coming weeks and months. This website will continue to be updated with additional guidance and resources as new information becomes available. Students may schedule an appointment to meet with in immigration specialist or email iss@osu.edu.

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.