Immigration Policy Updates:
International Student FAQs

Currently, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors are admitted to the U.S. for Duration of Status (D/S), meaning they can remain in the U.S. as long as they are maintaining their F-1 or J-1 status. The D/S annotation can be found on the I-94 admissions record.

Effective September 15, 2026, F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants (and their F2 and J2 dependents) would receive a fixed end date on their I-94 admissions record rather than D/S when they enter the U.S. In most cases, admission would be limited to the program end date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019 form or up to a maximum of four years from the program start date, whichever is shorter, plus a 30 day grace period. 

Individuals needing additional time to complete their academic or exchange program may need to submit a formal Extension of Stay (EOS) request to USCIS.   

No, the rule has not gone into effect. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final rule eliminating Duration of Status (D/S) on July 17, 2026, but it does not take effect until September 15, 2026. Current D/S policies remain in effect through September 14, 2026. 

September 15, 2026. Current D/S policies remain in effect through September 14, 2026.    

• F-1 students currently in the United States admitted under duration of status may remain in the United States without applying for an EOS up to the Program End Date (PED) on their I-20 or the end of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) STEM OPT extension that is valid on the final rule’s effective date, not to exceed November 14, 2030. This is four years, plus a 60-day grace period.
• J-1 students currently in the United States admitted under duration of status may remain in the United States without applying for an EOS up to the PED on their DS-2019 or the end of their post-completion academic training that is valid on the final rule’s effective date, not to exceed October 15, 2030. This is four years, plus a 30-day grace period.

Yes, current students may continue to travel; however, if returning to the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, students may be admitted with a new fixed period of admission, which is the Program End Date (PED) on their I-20 or DS-2019 up to a maximum of four years, plus a 30-day departure period for both F and J students and dependents.

Possibly. DHS has established an Extension of Stay (EOS) process that would allow students and their dependents (if applicable) to apply for an extension beyond the 4-year maximum. More information to come as UC San Diego reviews the updated regulations in detail.   

If you do not travel outside the U.S., your I-94 admit until date will not change. However, the next time you re-enter the U.S., your I-94 ‘admit until’ date will be updated, not to exceed four years.

Yes, if your passport expires soon, we recommend renewing it as soon as possible. Under the new regulations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will determine the length of your authorized stay when you are admitted to the U.S. If your passport expires before the end of your F-1 or J-1 program, CBP may limit your period of admissions to match your passport expiration date instead of the full length of your F-1 or J-1 program or the 4-year maximum, whichever is shorter.  

Current F-1 students admitted for duration of status who have been in the United States when the final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, and who file a timely OPT or STEM OPT application by March 18, 2027, do not need to file a separate application for an Extension of Stay (EOS) and will maintain a 60-day grace period post-OPT and STEM OPT.

Current F-1 students who travel before filing for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT and after the effective date of September 15, 2026, may be readmitted into the United States with a fixed period of admission and will have to file both an EOS application and an application for OPT or STEM OPT.

Current F-1 students who are beneficiaries of a timely filed cap-subject H-1B petition and who are eligible for a “cap-gap” extension do not need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) and may remain in the United States in F-1 status until the approval of the H-1B petition or April 1 of the fiscal year for which H-1B status is being requested, whichever comes first.

Under the current rule, your ISEO advisor, in conjunction with your academic college or department, can determine if there are justifiable reasons for a program extension. 

Here are some examples USCIS may consider in determining if a student is eligible for an extension because a student needs more time to complete degree: 

• Academic reasons related to research
• Student had a medical reason RCL
• Delays due to a natural disaster

Students who depart the United States without an approved Extension of Stay (EOS) application and are applying for admission with a valid I-20 or DS-2019 may be admitted for the length of time indicated by the Program End Date (PED) on their I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period.  

You should be prepared to show your receipt notice from a timely filed Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can then either give you an admit-until date that matches your previously authorized period of stay OR they can give an admit-until date of your Program End Date (PED), not to exceed four years plus a 30-day grace period. In the latter case, your pending EOS is considered abandoned since you have a new admit-until date.

Yes, F-2 and J-2 dependents will also be admitted for a fixed period of stay once the rule goes into effect. More information will be provided soon.  

At this time, UC San Diego is reviewing the recently published regulations and evaluating their impact on F-1 and J-1 student processes. We will provide additional guidance and implementation details as they become available.  

In the meantime, students are encouraged to review official government resources that are currently available. Please note that resources have only been published for F-1 Students at this time:  

• Study in the States Final Rule Fact Sheet 
• Study in the States Final Rule FAQs 

International travel always carries some level of risk as ability to enter/re-enter is determined by a consular officer (visa appointment) and CBP officer (port of entry) and they have significant discretion when determining eligibility for entry/re-entry. However, during periods of regulatory or policy changes, there may be additional risks to consider, as the impact can vary depending on the implemented changes.   

What we know now is that students who enter on or before September 14 will be issued an I-94 with D/S (Duration of Status), and students who enter after September 14, will get an I-94 with an AUD (Admit Until Date). UC San Diego recommends that you:   

• Review iTravel.ucsd.edu to ensure you have necessary documents to support a successful entry/re-entry into the U.S   
• Review updates from iUpdates.ucsd.edu    
• Stay informed about current immigration and travel-related developments    
• Monitor visa appointment availability and processing times, if you need a new visa   
• Consider the possibility of delays related to visa issuance or administrative processing, see International Travel Considerations.    

We understand that this news is raising many questions and concerns for our students. ISEO is closely reviewing the final rule and will provide updates once they become available. At this time, ISEO cannot provide individual guidance. Once the full impacts of the final rule are assessed and our review is complete, we will provide resources and advising services with additional information. Individuals with concerns about travel or potential impacts to their status should consider consulting with an immigration attorney to discuss their specific circumstances and risk factors.  

Additional student FAQs are coming soon, following UC San Diego's initial review of the final rule. Thank you for your patience. 

F-1 Students: 

• Study in the States Final Rule Fact Sheet
  
• Study in the States Final Rule FAQs

• To date, the U.S. government has not posted any J-1 student – specific guidance.