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Thousands of international students who plan to study in the United States will need to pay attention to an important modification in immigration rules. Starting September 15, 2026, a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation will go into effect that will change how the stay of those traveling to the country with an F student visa is authorized.
The measure ends one of the most well-known elements of this type of visa: "duration of status." Until now, many students could remain legally in the United States as long as they remained enrolled in an authorized academic program. With the new rule, each student will receive a fixed period of admission and must complete additional procedures if they need more time to remain in US territory.
Which visa category will be affected?
The change primarily impacts F visa holders, used by foreign students taking academic courses in schools, colleges, universities, and institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
According to the DHS, the modification is also part of a broader update that affects certain categories of exchange visitors and foreign media representatives, although the most detailed changes were announced for students with F visas.
What changes from September 15?
Before the new rule went into effect, students with F visas were admitted under the "duration of status" modality, which means they could remain in the United States for as long as necessary to complete their authorized academic program.
With the new regulation, students will receive a specific admission expiration date. The authorized period will be based on the duration of the academic program appearing on Form I-20 and cannot exceed four years, and will include:
Up to 30 days before the start of the program to enter the United States.
Up to 30 days after concluding studies to prepare to leave the country or change to another immigration status.
There will be special limits for some students
The new policy also establishes stricter restrictions for certain educational programs.
For example:
Students enrolled in English language teaching programs will have a maximum admission period of 24 months.
Public high school students will be able to stay for a maximum of 12 months to complete their studies.
Border students who cross regularly between their country of residence and the United States will also be admitted with a fixed expiration date.
What happens if the student needs more time?
One of the biggest changes is that students who need to extend their stay to finish their studies, start a new academic program, or participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT programs will have to complete additional procedures.
In these cases they will have two options:
Apply for an Extension of Stay with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Leave the United States and apply for a new period of admission upon returning through Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
To request an extension, it will be necessary to submit Form I-539, pay the corresponding fees, and provide the required biometric data.
New restrictions for changing majors or universities
The regulation also tightens several rules related to students' stay in the country.
Among the most relevant changes are:
Undergraduate students and other programs below the graduate level will not be able to change their major during their first year of study, except for exceptional circumstances authorized by the SEVP.
Graduate students will not be able to change their major during their studies.
Undergraduate students also will not be able to transfer to another institution during their first academic year without special authorization.
Graduate students will have even greater restrictions on transferring universities.
Additionally, after finishing their studies they will no longer be able to enroll in another program at the same educational level or a lower one using the same period of admission.
The time allowed to remain in the United States after graduating is reduced
Another important modification affects the so-called "grace period" after graduation.
Currently, many students have 60 days to prepare for their departure from the United States after finishing their studies. With the new rule, that period will be reduced to 30 days.
This means that those who conclude an academic program must act more quickly to leave the country, change their immigration status, or process any additional authorization that allows them to continue remaining legally in US territory.
What will happen to students who are already in the United States?
The DHS established a transition period for those who are already in the country under the current rules.
Students admitted before September 15, 2026 under the duration of status modality will be able to continue their studies without requesting an immediate extension. However, they must respect the new provisions when they need to extend their stay beyond the limits established by the regulation.
Likewise, those who travel outside the United States after the rule goes into effect could receive a new fixed period of admission when re-entering the country.
What students must do
Authorities recommend that all students with an F visa consult with their Designated School Official (DSO) as soon as possible, review their Form I-20, and understand how the changes will affect their particular situation.
The new regulation represents one of the most important adjustments for international students in recent years and will force thousands of applicants and F visa holders to plan the duration of their studies and immigration procedures more carefully starting September 15, 2026.
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