Major New F-1 Rule: What Students Need to Know

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a major final rule changing how F-1 students are admitted to and remain in the United States.

The biggest change is the end of "Duration of Status," or D/S. But the rule goes considerably further. It changes how students extend F-1 status, affects post-completion OPT and STEM OPT, shortens the general departure period, and places new restrictions on certain school transfers and academic programs.

The rule contains numerous additional provisions. This article focuses on several of the changes most likely to affect F-1 students and recent graduates.

1. F-1 Students Will Receive a Fixed Expiration Date

For decades, most F-1 students have been admitted for Duration of Status, shown as D/S on the Form I-94. The new rule replaces D/S with a fixed period of admission.

An F-1 student generally will be admitted through the program end date reflected on the Form I-20, but for no more than four years at one time, plus the applicable departure period.

Importantly, this does not mean that students must complete every degree within four years. Students in longer programs may seek additional time. What changes is that many students will now have to obtain an extension of their F-1 stay rather than simply relying on an updated Form I-20.

The Form I-94 will therefore become much more important. Students admitted under the new system should check their I-94 after every entry to the United States and know their specific Admit Until Date.

2. Staying Longer May Require an Application to USCIS

Under the existing D/S system, a student who needs additional time to complete a program can often obtain an extended Form I-20 through the school's Designated School Official.

Under the new system, an updated I-20 alone may no longer be enough. If the student's authorized admission period will expire before the student completes the program or other authorized F-1 activity, the student generally must either apply to USCIS for an extension of stay or depart the United States and seek a new period of admission.

A student who timely files an extension-of-stay application may generally remain in the United States and continue studying while USCIS adjudicates the application.

This also makes the I-94 expiration date a critical immigration deadline.

3. Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT Become More Complicated

The rule does not eliminate OPT or STEM OPT, but it changes how they interact with F-1 status.

For students subject to the new fixed-period system, post-completion OPT may require two separate USCIS filings: the application for employment authorization and an application to extend F-1 status.

Where both are required, filing the applications does not itself authorize a student to begin new post-completion OPT employment. The required employment authorization and extension of stay generally must be approved before the student begins that employment.

The existing 180-day automatic employment extension for qualifying, timely filed STEM OPT extensions remains in place.

There is also important temporary relief for students already in the United States under D/S. Qualifying F-1 students who timely file for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027 generally will not be required to file a separate extension-of-stay application for that OPT period.

4. Existing Students Receive Transition Protection, But Travel Matters

The new system does not automatically place every current F-1 student on a fixed I-94 expiration date.

Students who were admitted for D/S, are present in the United States, and are properly maintaining F-1 status when the rule takes effect generally may continue under a transition provision through the program end date on the Form I-20 then in effect, subject to a four-year transition limit.

For these F-1 students, the existing 60-day departure period also generally remains available during the transition.

International travel, however, can change the analysis. A student who leaves the United States after the rule takes effect and is readmitted in F-1 status will generally receive a new I-94 containing a fixed expiration date.

Travel can be particularly important for students approaching OPT or STEM OPT. A transition-eligible student who departs before filing the qualifying OPT or STEM OPT application and then returns under the new fixed-period system may become subject to the new extension-of-stay requirement.

5. The Rule Also Restricts Transfers and Certain New Degree Programs

The final rule includes significant academic restrictions that are separate from the elimination of D/S.

Among other changes, F-1 students below the graduate level generally must complete the first academic year before transferring schools or changing educational objectives, unless SEVP authorizes an exception.

Graduate students face stricter rules. An F-1 student at the graduate level generally may not change educational objectives during the program and generally may not transfer to another school during the program unless SEVP authorizes an exception for qualifying extenuating circumstances.

The rule also generally prohibits an F-1 student who completes a program at one educational level from then beginning another F-1 program at the same or a lower educational level. These restrictions generally apply prospectively, so programs completed before the rule takes effect do not count toward the new same-or-lower-level limitation.

What F-1 Students Should Take Away From the New Rule

F-1 students will increasingly need to think about three separate documents and dates: their Form I-20, Form I-94, and, where applicable, Employment Authorization Document. Those documents may no longer operate on the same timeline.

Students should pay particular attention if they:

• Expect to apply for OPT or STEM OPT

• Need additional time to complete a degree

• Plan international travel

• Are considering transferring schools or changing programs

• Want to pursue another degree after completing their current program

This article addresses only some of the major changes affecting F-1 students. The final rule contains additional provisions concerning extensions of stay, employment, educational programs, dependents, English-language training, travel, reinstatement, and other aspects of F-1 status.

Effective Date

The final rule published on July 17, 2026 states an effective date of September 15, 2026. Because the rule is classified as a major rule subject to congressional review, DHS has stated that it will publish a further notice if the effective date changes or the rule is terminated.

Students should confirm the rule's effective date and any subsequent DHS implementation guidance before acting in reliance on the new requirements.

This article provides general information about U.S. immigration law and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, regulations, agency guidance, and effective dates may change, and the application of the law depends on the facts of each individual case.