F students were previously admitted to the United States for an unspecified period of time—known as duration of status.

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule, Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students and Exchange Visitors.

Beginning on Sept. 15, 2026, F students who seek admission to the United States will be admitted for a fixed period of time, up to the length of the program of study listed on their Form I-20 not to exceed four years. Individuals may generally seek admission up to 30 days before their program start date and will generally receive a 30-day period for departure following completion of the program, practical training, or other authorized activity.

The four-year limit applies to a single period of admission and does not establish a maximum total time a student may remain in F-1 status. Students who remain eligible may obtain additional admission periods through an Extension of Stay or through travel and readmission.

F students who need additional time in the United States (for example, to complete their program of study, begin a new program of study, or to engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT) may need to work with ISS to obtain the required SEVIS action and an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019 and then timely apply to USCIS for an Extension of Stay (EOS), unless they elect to depart the United States and seek a new period of admission through reentry.

Yes. F-2 dependents will also receive a fixed period of admission. The period of admission for F-2 dependents may not exceed the authorized period of admission for the principal F-1 student. F-2 dependents also need to apply for an extension of stay to remain in the United States beyond their Admit Until Date.

F students will continue to be admitted for duration of status until this date. After Sept. 15, 2026, new and continuing students who enter the United States will be admitted with a fixed period of admission.

F students who are currently in the United States as on Sept. 15, 2026, and who were admitted under duration of status may remain in the United States without taking any immediate action. Special transition rules generally allow these individuals to continue under their current admission until they obtain a new period of admission or authorized stay, depart and reenter the United States, change immigration status, require additional time beyond their authorized period, or otherwise become subject to the new rules. The transition period generally may not extend beyond Nov. 14, 2030.

Students must 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 begin a new program of study or to engage in post-completion OPT or STEM OPT. Alternatively, a student may travel and seek readmission with a new period of admission from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to begin a new program of study.

Yes, current F students can continue to travel; however, as of Sept. 15, 2026, upon returning to the United States, these students may be admitted with a new fixed period of admission, which is the Program End Date on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” up to a maximum of four years (plus a 30-day departure period).

Certain students who were admitted under D/S and timely file Form I-765 for OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, may qualify for transition relief and may not be required to file a separate EOS application. Students should consult ISS regarding their individual circumstances.

The Admit Until Date (AUD) is a nonimmigrant’s maximum period of admission to the United States and is the last day a nonimmigrant is authorized to stay in the United States.

Yes, the Admit Until Date (AUD) may be different than the Program End Date on the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Typically:

• For programs less than four years: The AUD is the Program End Date, plus 30 days for departure.
• For programs longer than four years: The AUD is four years from the Program Start Date, plus 30 days for departure.
• For students engaging in optional practical training: The AUD is the employment end date on the Employment Authorization Document, plus 30 days for departure.

Students traveling to the United States will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a U.S. port of entry.

Students approved for an extension of stay or change to F-1 status will receive an AUD from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Students can locate their Admit Until Date (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.” Students should carefully review their Form I-94 after each entry to the United States, as the I-94 will reflect the Admit Until Date (AUD) governing the authorized period of stay.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is responsible for adjudicating extension of stay (EOS) applications.

Yes. Students applying for an extension of stay (EOS) for additional time to complete their current program of study, begin a new program of study, or engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT must work with their designated school official (DSO) before applying for an EOS. DSOs will:

• Recommend an EOS in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Enter an updated Program End Date in SEVIS, if needed.
• Provide students with an updated Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” containing the EOS recommendation.

No. A program extension refers to the process by which a designated school official recommends extending the Program End Date in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for F students.

An extension of stay (EOS) refers to the process by which F students apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for additional time in the United States to complete their program of study, begin a new program of study, or engage in post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT.

Students can apply for an extension of stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by:

• Timely completing and filing the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” along with all required documentation.
• Paying the required fee.
• Providing required biometrics.

Yes. F-2 dependents can either be included on the primary F-1 student’s extension of stay (EOS) application or file their own EOS application.

Students must apply for an extension of stay (EOS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must receive their Form I-539 before the student’s authorized period of admission (as indicated by the Admit Until Date) expires. Students may apply for an EOS starting 180 days before their authorized period of admission expires.

Be aware that students who file for an EOS within the 30-day departure period may not begin or continue employment (e.g., on-campus employment, off campus employment, curricular practical training).

Yes, students with Program End Dates more than four years in the future and who need additional time beyond their Admit Until Date to complete their current program of study must either apply for an extension of stay (EOS) or obtain a new period of admission through travel and readmission before their current authorized stay expires.

Yes, students with Program End Dates more than four years in the future and who need additional time beyond their Admit Until Date to complete their current program of study must either apply for an extension of stay (EOS) or obtain a new period of admission through travel and readmission before their current authorized stay expires. These students must:

• Be able to demonstrate a compelling academic reason, documented illness or medical condition or circumstances beyond their control.
• Have their designated school official:
  • Process a program extension in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
  • Recommend an EOS in SEVIS.
  • Provide an update Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

• Timely file for an EOS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, providing all supporting documentation, including their Form I-20.

Yes, students who need additional time beyond their Admit Until Date to complete an authorized period of post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) OPT must either apply for an extension of stay (EOS) or obtain a new period of admission through travel and readmission before their current authorized stay expires. These students must:

• Have their designated school official:
  • Recommend either post-completion OPT or STEM OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
  • Recommend an EOS in SEVIS.
  • Provide an updated Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” endorsed for practical training.

• Timely file for an EOS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), providing all supporting documentation, and apply for employment authorization with USCIS.

Yes. Students who want to pursue a degree at a new, higher education level must:

• Receive a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” for the new program of study.
• Timely file for an extension of stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, providing the Form I-20 for the new program of study.

After applying for an extension of stay (EOS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review a student’s application to ensure they are eligible for the extension and complied with the terms of their admission. In doing so, USCIS will conduct background and security checks and directly review evidence to ensure students are eligible for the requested extension.

Students who timely file an extension of stay (EOS) application before their Admit Until Date (AUD) expires, including before the start of the 30-day departure period, may continue on-campus employment, off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, and curricular practical training for up to 240 days while the application is pending.

However, students who file an EOS during the 30-day departure period must stop all employment while the EOS is pending and may only resume work if the extension is approved.

Yes. Students can travel internationally while their extension of stay (EOS) application is pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Upon readmission to the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may admit students for the remainder of their previously authorized Program End Date or grant a new period of admission based on updated documentation, such as a new Form I-20.

If CBP grants a new period of admission that extends beyond a student’s previously authorized stay while an EOS application is pending, USCIS may consider the pending EOS application abandoned.

If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves an extension, students and any accompanying F-2 dependents will receive an updated Admit Until Date reflecting the additional time needed to complete their program of study or practical training (not to exceed four years). USCIS will issue a new paper Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” containing the updated AUD and attach it to the bottom of the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.”

If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denies the extension, students and any accompanying F-2 dependents must depart the United States according to their original Admit Until Date or immediately if that date has passed.

Refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ website for additional information about the extension of stay process and filing the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”

Yes. F students with unexpired visas who choose to travel may also apply for admission with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry and receive a new Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” with a new period of admission based on their updated Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record and supporting documentation.

• Students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change educational levels during their first year of study.
• Students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change educational levels at any point during their program of study.
• Students cannot change to a program of study at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a master’s program to a bachelor’s program)
• Students cannot change to a program of study at the same educational level (e.g., moving from a bachelor’s program to a bachelor’s program)
• Once they have completed a program of study students can enroll in a new program of study at a higher education level.

• F students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change their major during their first year of study.
• Students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change their major at any point during their program of study.

• F students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot transfer to another school during their first year of a program of study and must complete their first year at the school that initially issued their Form I-20
• Students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot transfer at any point during their program of study.

F students now have 30 days to depart the United States following completion of their program of study or post-completion optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics OPT.

Yes. The 30-day departure period is included in a student’s Admit Until Date (AUD).