Important: Beginning September 15, 2026, new federal regulations change how F-1 students are admitted to the United States and how students request additional time to complete their studies. Students should carefully monitor their Form I-94, Form I-20, and program end date and consult their DSO before making changes to their educational plans or traveling internationally.
Q. What does the new rule change?
Starting on Sept. 15, 2026, admission to the United States in F status will have a fixed admission end date on the Form I-94, referred to as the “Admit Until Date” (AUD).
Students in F status who are admitted to the U.S. with a fixed AUD must subsequently apply to the U.S. government to request an extension beyond their AUD if they require additional time in the United States to complete their academic degree program.
Students currently in the U.S. in F status (who were admitted with the D/S rule prior to Sept. 15, 2026) who travel internationally or apply to the U.S. government for an extension will transition to a fixed end date, which will be either the end date on their current Form I-20 or 4 years, whichever is earlier plus a 30-day grace period.
The grace period to depart the U.S. upon expiration of status for students in F status decreases from 60 days to 30 days, if the student enters the United States in F status on or after Sept. 15, 2026.
New prohibitions and limits impact the ability of a student in F status to change educational objectives including transferring schools, changing majors, and changing the level of educational study.
Q. What is an Admit Until Date (AUD)?
The Admit Until Date (AUD), as noted on an individual’s Form I-94 arrival record, is the date that the individual's U.S. immigration status expires, provided they otherwise maintain their immigration status.
Previously, international students in F status were admitted to the United States with an AUD of Duration of Status (D/S). The new rule eliminates D/S and replaces it with a fixed admission (stay) end date.
Q. If I am a current F-1 student admitted under Duration of Status (D/S), do I need to apply for an extension of status?
F students currently in the United States admitted under duration of status and present in the United States on Sept. 15, 2026, may remain in the United States without applying for an extension of stay (EOS) up to the Program End Date on their Form I-20, or the end of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) that is valid on the final rule’s effective date, not to exceed Nov. 14, 2030 (four years, plus a 60-day departure period).
Students may apply for an EOS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services if they wish to remain in the United States beyond this date, including if additional time is needed to complete their current program of study, begin a new program of study or to engage in post-completion OPT or STEM OPT. Alternatively, students may depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission from U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon reentry.
Q. How do I know when my F-1 admission expires?
Check your Form I-94 for your Admit Until Date (AUD). The AUD is the date your period of admission expires, provided you otherwise maintain F-1 status. Students traveling to the United States after September 15, 2026 will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a U.S. port of entry. The AUD will be on the student’s Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” accessible from the Form I-94 website.
Q. How do I know when my F-1 admission expires?
Check your Form I-94 for your Admit Until Date (AUD). The AUD is the date your period of admission expires, provided you otherwise maintain F-1 status. Students can locate their AUD on their Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” accessible from the Form I-94 website. Students approved for an extension of stay or change of status to F-1 can locate their AUD on the Form I-94 attached to the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.”
Q. How do I apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS)?
To apply for an extension of your F-1 status, you would need to first apply to HCC International Services for an extended Form I-20. There are two options to extend your stay:
Submit Form I-539 to USCIS with the signed Form I-20 and other supporting documents and USCIS filing fee (current filing fees can be found on the USCIS website), or
Depart the U.S. and re-enter using the extended Form I-20 To do this, you need to have a valid F visa in your passport and not be subject to a travel ban or restriction.
Q. Can I remain in the United States while my Extension of Stay application is pending?
Yes. If USCIS receives a properly filed EOS application before your current admission period expires, you may generally remain in the United States while the application is pending.
Q. Who decides whether my Extension of Stay is approved?
Your DSO may determine whether you are eligible for a program extension and issue an extended Form I-20. USCIS makes the final decision on your Extension of Stay application.
Q. Can I request premium processing when filing Form I-539 for Extension of Stay?
No. Premium processing is not currently available for EOS applications. EOS applications must be submitted using the standard USCIS processing procedures. Students should file well in advance of their admission expiration date to allow sufficient time for adjudication (but not more than 6 months in advance).
Q. What are valid reasons for securing an extension approval by USCIS?
Valid reasons for receiving approval for an EOS can include medical or academic reasons, or delays in program completion due to a natural disaster. USCIS may apply stricter standards and use its own discretion when determining if a program extension is warranted. The rule emphasizes that USCIS should be the governing agency in determining eligibility for a legal status extension, and they can use agency discretion to determine if an extension is warranted.
Q. What are some reasons why an extension request may be denied by USCIS?
Any failure to maintain status could result in a denial by USCIS. Generally, if the delays in program completion are shown to be due to poor academic performance, failing classes, or otherwise failing to make normal academic progress, USCIS can deny an extension request. If the student is deemed to have exceeded the normal time period for a given academic program, an extension also might be denied. Proof of sufficient financial resources for the additional period of study will also be required, and an application could be denied if funding is deemed insufficient. Violations of U.S. laws outside of immigration rules could also be considered by USCIS, as could possible fraud issues, and violations of required non-immigrant intent - which requires F visa holders to maintain the intention of returning to their home country.
Q. How are my dependent spouse or children affected?
Dependent status holders (F-2) will need to file for extensions as well. Dependents, in general, will need to be included in Form I-539 extension filings with the principal F-1. However, there may be individual circumstances (i.e. a child aging out) that may require some dependents to file separate EOS applications.
If the F-1 principal decides to travel to obtain an extension, the dependents will need to travel as well or file a separate Form I-539 to extend their stay prior to their current Admit Until Date (AUD). Families will need to be diligent in monitoring expirations dates of all family members when extensions are filed or family members travel. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to ensure dependents apply for extensions or travel timely. Consult with an immigration attorney when needed.
Q. Can I transfer schools or change my academic program?
The new regulations significantly restrict these options. Undergraduate students generally may not transfer to another school or change their academic program during their first academic year unless SEVP approves an exception based on extenuating circumstances.
Q. What are the transfer-out steps if I need to file an Extension of Stay request?
You need to meet the one academic year attendance at HCC before requesting a transfer-out. Once accepted at the new institution, you may request that your SEVIS record be transferred. The transfer release date is typically scheduled for the day after your current semester ends and grades are posted, although another date may be selected based on your individual circumstances. Under current SEVIS functionality, your new institution cannot issue a transfer Form I-20 until the transfer release date is reached. Once your SEVIS record is released, your new institution can issue your transfer Form I-20.
If you must apply for an EOS under the new rules, you should file Form I-539 after receiving your new Form I-20 and before your current period of admission expires.
If your EOS application is timely filed, you may begin studying at your new institution while it is pending and may continue any otherwise authorized on-campus employment for up to 240 days, provided you remain otherwise eligible.
Because the timing of the SEVIS transfer and the EOS application are closely connected, you should work with both HCC International Services and your new institution well before the end of your current program to ensure there is sufficient time to complete each step.
Alternatively, you can travel and re-enter the US on the new I-20 with if you have a valid F-1 visa and passport.
Q. Can I change my educational level (Language Training, Certificate, Associate), program of study, or transfer to another institution before I complete my current program?
Yes, but only after you complete one full academic year at HCC and meet the program requirements unless the U.S. government authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
Q. Can I change my educational level (Language Training, Certificate, Associate), program of study, or transfer to another institution after I complete my current program?
There are restrictions:
You can only change to a program of study at a higher educational level. (Certificate to Associate) You will need to apply for an extension with USCIS or exit and re-enter with a new Form I-20.
You cannot change to a program of study at a lower or the same educational level.
For example:
Q. What happens if I graduate early?
Program completion ends eligibility to continue in F-1, even if your I-20 expiration date has not been reached. If you complete your academic program before the expiration date on your Form I-20, you enter your applicable grace period. Under the new rule, students admitted for a fixed period generally have a 30-day grace period following program completion. Students who remain subject to the previous duration of status (D/S) rules generally have a 60-day grace period. Before the end of your applicable grace period, you must take one of the following actions:
Q. How are ESL students affected by the rule?
ESL students are limited to a total ESL academic program of two years inclusive of any holiday breaks. Students will not be eligible for an extension of an ESL program beyond two years.
Q. How does this rule affect individuals with approved or pending practical training?
F-1 students who have a Form I-94 for duration of status, and already timely filed an application for employment authorization (Form I-765) with USCIS based on post-completion optional practical training (OPT) may remain in the U.S. while the application is pending and they are not required to file an EOS application. If the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is approved, the F-1 student’s status is extended until the EAD expiration date plus the 60-day departure period. If the EAD is denied, the F-1 student’s status ends on the program end date or four years from the effective date of the rule plus the 60-day departure period.
F-1 students with applications for employment authorization based on other types of employment, such as economic hardship, may remain in the U.S. through the program end date plus the 60-day departure period.
F-1 students who timely file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, based on post-completion OPT on or before March 18, 2027, are not required to file Form I-539 for the requested OPT period. But if the student travels abroad after the effective date and re-enters the U.S. before applying for OPT, then the student will need to file both an EOS (Form I-539) and Form I-765.
Beginning March 19, 2027, F-1 students applying for post-completion OPT EAD (Form I-765) must also apply for an EOS if their period of admission will end before the EAD end date.
The final rule expressly allows DHS to extend the period in which a Form I-539 EOS application is not required to be filed. DHS can extend this period in six-month increments by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. Students remaining in the United States without international travel will continue to benefit from the transition provisions until those provisions no longer apply.
Reference: Study in the States website.
Disclaimer: Our office can provide general information and guidance about your options but cannot provide individualized legal advice. Contact your DSO before taking action to ensure you have the information you need to make an informed decision.
