Duration of Status Rule Change

Yes, but not everyone will be affected immediately. DHS included transition provisions for some students and scholars already in the United States with the D/S designation. 

A Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) is an electronic immigration record issued by the CBP each time a non-U.S. citizen is admitted to the United States.

The Form I-94 shows important information about your admission to the United States, including:

• Your immigration status (such as F-1 or J-1)
• Your date of entry
• Your port of entry
• Your authorized period of stay, which may be listed as D/S (Duration of Status) or include a specific Admit Until Date (AUD)

The Form I-94 is an important immigration document, and should be reviewed, printed, and retained after every entry into the United States to ensure the information is correct.

You can access and print your most recent Form I-94 at:
 https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home

Review the current program end date on page 1 of your I-20 or DS-2019 and discuss your program timeline with your academic department. Students and scholars who may be eligible for a program extension, meaning there is a documented academic, research, or medical reason that necessitates additional time to complete the program, should request an extension immediately. F-1 and J-1 students may initiate an extension request through iCats. J-1 scholars should first consult with their academic department; the department will initiate the extension request if circumstances allow. 

Otherwise, continue maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status and watch for updates from our office. 

More information will be provided as guidance becomes available. 

Students and scholars who enter the United States before September 15, 2026, and who remain in the U.S., should have the D/S designation of their I-94 form. Ensure that you have an available copy of your most recent I-94 and that it has the D/S designation. I-94s can be retrieved from the following website: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home.

Important note: Students entering the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, will have a specific AUD on their I-94.
 

If the program end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 is before September 15, 2030, you may generally remain in the United States until that program end date, provided you continue to maintain your immigration status. Eligible F-1 students covered by the transition provisions also retain the current 60-day grace period following program completion.

If you need additional time beyond the program end date listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019 that was valid on September 15, 2026, you should continue to request a program extension through normal university procedures. In addition, you will generally need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to remain in status beyond that date.

Under the final rule, F-1 students who:

• Were admitted in Duration of Status (D/S) and are covered by the transition provisions; and
• Timely file a post-completion OPT or STEM OPT application (Form I-765) on or before March 18, 2027 

are not required to file a separate Extension of Stay (EOS) application for the requested OPT or STEM OPT period.

Students must first attend ISSS’ mandatory OPT workshop and obtain an OPT-recommendation Form I-20 before submitting Form I-765 to USCIS. Failure to submit the OPT I-20 with the OPT application will result in denial of the OPT application.

For students who qualify for this transition benefit, the OPT or STEM OPT application serves as an exception to the separate EOS filing requirement that would otherwise apply under the new regulations.

As additional guidance is released regarding OPT and STEM OPT under the final rule, ISSS will provide updated information and FAQs.

The transition provisions do not automatically cover your entire program.

If the program end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019 that is valid on September 15, 2026, extends beyond September 15, 2030, the transition provisions generally only authorize your stay through the four-year transition period. To remain in the United States beyond September 15, 2030, and continue your program, you will generally need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Example

• Rule effective date: September 15, 2026
• Program end date on I-20 or DS-2019: December 15, 2031

Under the transition provisions, the student may generally remain through September 15, 2030. To continue beyond that date and complete the program, students and scholars must apply for an EOS prior to their I-20 or DS-2019 end date. 

Specific EOS procedures will be shared once our office has further guidance. 

No. Students and scholars should not file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) simply because the new rule takes effect on September 15, 2026.

Most current students and scholars who are maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 status and are covered by the transition provisions do not need to immediately file an EOS. The transition provisions generally allow eligible individuals to continue their academic, research, or exchange programs without taking immediate action.

However, after the rule becomes effective, if you need additional time beyond the end date on the Form I-20, Form DS-2019, or applicable employment authorization, you will generally need to file an EOS at that time.

Yes. F-1 students who are maintaining status under D/S on September 15, 2026, may remain until the program end date listed on the Form I-20 that was valid on that date, but not longer than four years after September 15, 2026. These students continue to receive the existing 60-day grace period following the end of their authorized stay while covered by the transition provisions.

The final rule reduces the F-1 grace period from 60 days to 30 days. 

The J-1 grace period remains unchanged and will continue to be 30 days.
 

The final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. F-1 students who are admitted to the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will generally receive a Form I-94 with a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) and will be subject to a 30-day grace period following the end of their authorized stay.

Current F-1 students who are maintaining status under D/S on September 15, 2026, and who remain covered by the transition provisions, will continue to receive the existing 60-day grace period following the completion of their program of study or OPT authorization.
 

Not necessarily. The grace period generally begins after the program end date listed on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, or after the final day of authorized OPT authorization (F-1 students only).    Students who complete their academic requirements before the end date listed on their I-20 or DS-2019 may receive an updated form with a revised program end date. The grace period would begin based on the updated program end date.

Potentially. F-1 students will have a shorter timeframe in which to complete transfer-related actions because the grace period has been reduced from 60 to 30 days. This rule has included substantial changes to transfer regulations for F-1 students. Additional guidance will be provided in the coming weeks.   

J-1 students: J visa transfer regulations have not changed. If you are a J-1 student interested in transferring, please review our website here.

Students may still be able to begin a new program if otherwise eligible, but the shorter 30-day grace period means students should plan much earlier than under the previous rules. 

This rule has included substantial changes to F-1 regulations related to changing degree levels. Additional guidance will be provided in the coming weeks.
 

Students pursuing OPT should continue to pay close attention to application deadlines and filing requirements. The shorter grace period makes advance planning even more important. ISSS will provide additional guidance regarding any OPT-related impacts in the coming weeks.

Students generally must take appropriate action before the grace period expires, such as departing the United States, transferring to another eligible program, or obtaining another lawful immigration status. Students should consult their DSO or ARO before the grace period ends.

For F-1 students, an educational objective generally refers to the academic program a student is pursuing, including the degree level and field of study identified on the Form I-20.

Examples may include:

• Bachelor's degree in Biology
• Master's degree in Public Health
• Doctoral degree in Chemistry
   

Generally, no. 

The final rule requires F-1 students to complete their first academic year before changing educational objectives unless an exception is approved by SEVP*. An academic year is defined as a complete fall and spring semester, or a complete spring and fall semester, depending on a student's initial term of enrollment. This means that students cannot change or add majors within the first academic year.

Students considering a change or addition of a major should consult ISSS before taking any action. 

Students who have transferred their immigration record to Ohio University from another SEVP-certified school should refer to the transfer-specific question below. 

*Some examples of exemptions provided by DHS are school closures, program elimination, and temporary inability to hold the program due to natural disaster. 

Possibly.

Students who have completed their first academic year may have additional flexibility; however, the final rule imposes requirements that must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Students considering a change or addition of a major should consult ISSS before taking any action. 

Possibly.

After the first academic year, students may have additional flexibility to add another major within their current bachelor's degree program. However, because the final rule includes restrictions related to educational objectives, each situation should be reviewed individually before changes are made to an academic program.

For example, a student who enters Ohio University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in History could possibly add a major in Political Science because both are under the Bachelor of Arts at Ohio University. 

Students should consult ISSS before adding additional majors.

Possibly.

Ohio University offers many types of undergraduate degrees to F-1 students: 

• Associate of Arts (AA)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
• Associate of Science (AS)
• Associate of Applied Business (AAB)
• Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ)
• Bachelor of Science/Scientiae Baccalaureus (BS, SB)
• Bachelor of Music (BM)
• Bachelor of Nursing (BN)/Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BB/BBA)
• Bachelor of Science in Education (BEd/BSEd)
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

The final rule prohibits F-1 students from maintaining their F-1 status at the same educational level after completing a degree at that level. For example, students will not be able to complete the requirements for one bachelor’s degree and continue their studies in a second bachelor’s degree. As a result, students pursuing multiple bachelor’s-level degrees should carefully consider the timing of degree completion. 

Based on our current interpretation of the final rule, students pursuing multiple undergraduate degrees at the same educational level should plan to complete all degree requirements for every degree at the same time.

For example, a student who enters Ohio University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in History could possibly add a Bachelor of Criminal Justice after their first academic year but would want to make sure that both degrees would be completed at the same time. The addition of a second degree cannot delay the completion of the primary educational objective.

Additional guidance may be issued by SEVP regarding dual-degree and multiple-degree scenarios. 

Students should consult ISSS before requesting any major change.
 

Possibly. 

The final rule prohibits F-1 students from maintaining their F-1 status at the same educational level after completing a degree at that level. For example, students will not be able to complete the requirements for one bachelor’s degree and continue their studies in a second bachelor’s degree. As a result, students pursuing multiple bachelor’s-level degrees should carefully consider the timing of degree completion. 

Based on our current interpretation of the final rule, students pursuing multiple undergraduate degrees at the same educational level should plan to complete all degree requirements for every degree at the same time. 

Possibly.

The final rule generally requires F-1 students to complete their first academic year before changing educational objectives. Our current interpretation is that a student who transfers to Ohio University at the same educational level after successfully completing at least one academic year at another institution has already satisfied the one-year requirement.

For example, a student who transfers from another university after completing one year of a bachelor's degree program may generally be considered eligible to request a change of major, subject to any other applicable restrictions.

However, a student who completes an associate's degree and is admitted to Ohio University to begin a bachelor's degree program is beginning a new educational level and educational objective. Under our current interpretation, that student would generally need to complete one academic year in the bachelor's degree program before changing majors.

Because the final rule does not specifically address all transfer scenarios, ISSS is awaiting additional guidance from SEVP. Students should consult ISSS before requesting a change of major or educational objective.

Generally, no.

The final rule prohibits F-1 students at the graduate level (master's or doctoral students) from changing educational objectives during their program of study.

Examples of prohibited changes may include:

• Changing from a Master's in Engineering to a Master's in Computer Science
• Changing from a PhD in Chemistry to a PhD in Mathematics
• Changing from a PhD in Physics to a Master’s in Physics

Graduate students should consult ISSS before considering any change to their academic program.

Generally, no.

The final rule requires educational progression to a higher educational level. Students who complete a master's degree generally may not begin another master's degree in F-1 status after the final rule goes into effect.

Generally, yes.

Because a doctoral degree is a higher educational level than a master's degree, this type of educational progression is generally consistent with the final rule. Students who complete a master's degree may generally continue to a PhD program, provided they otherwise maintain F-1 status.

After September 15, 2026, students who receive a new I-20 to transition to a doctoral-level program may need to take one of the following actions: 

• File a timely application for EOS with USCIS, or
• Request reentry into the U.S. with the new I-20 and valid, unexpired F-1 visa stamp at a U.S. port of entry, thus receiving a new AUD.

In addition, students should be aware that the final rule reduces the F-1 grace period from 60 days to 30 days for students subject to the new regulations. As a result, students planning to progress from a master's degree to a doctoral program should begin discussing their plans with ISSS and their academic department well before graduation.
 

Generally, yes.

The final rule's restrictions on educational-level progression apply to students who complete a program after the rule's effective date. Students who were already pursuing a second master's degree program before September 15, 2026, may be able to continue that program under the transition provisions, provided they remain eligible for those protections and continue to maintain their F-1 status. 
 

The final rule allows progression to a higher educational level but generally prohibits graduate students from changing educational objectives during their current program of study. As a result, students should expect to complete their current master's degree before beginning a doctoral program. Students considering a master's-to-PhD pathway should consult ISSS well in advance of graduation to discuss timing and immigration requirements.

Based on our current interpretation, a master's degree that is awarded in addition to a PhD program may be permissible if the student's primary educational objective remains the doctoral degree. 

However, students should plan to complete all master's degree requirements before, or at the same time as the PhD degree requirements. Students should not complete a PhD and then continue studying solely to complete a master's degree at a lower educational level, and students who are unsuccessful in a doctoral-level program cannot continue only with a Master’s-level program.

The addition of a program cannot delay the completion of the primary educational objective.

Because the final rule does not specifically address all concurrent-degree scenarios, ISSS is awaiting additional guidance from SEVP.

Possibly.

The final rule prohibits F-1 students from maintaining their F-1 status at the same educational level after completing a degree at that level. For example, students will not be able to complete the requirements for one master’s degree and continue their studies in a second master’s degree. As a result, students pursuing multiple master’s-level degrees should carefully consider the timing of degree completion.

Based on our current interpretation of the final rule, students pursuing multiple master’s degrees at the same educational level should plan to complete all degree requirements for every degree at the same time.

DHS describes extenuating circumstances as rare and exceptional situations outside the control of the student and school. Examples include:

• School closure
• Loss of SEVP certification
• Prolonged inability to provide instruction because of a natural disaster or emergency
• Certain educational progression needs in elementary or secondary education settings

Academic fit, rankings, location, cost, scholarships, research opportunities, or personal preference generally would not qualify for an exception. For graduate students, transferring to follow a faculty advisor who has moved to another institution will not qualify as an exception.

Students would generally work through their International Student Advisor, sometimes known as a Designated School Official (DSO), in the International Student and Scholar Services Office. SEVP expects to coordinate with DSOs when qualifying circumstances occur and may authorize transfers when appropriate.

After completing your first academic year, or after completing your program of study, you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to another school if you:

• Are fully admitted to a higher-level program at a new school. 
• Are maintaining valid F-1 status.
• Have been enrolled full-time (unless you received an approved reduced course load).
• Have either: 
  • completed your degree program,
  • completed at least one academic year, or
  • are participating in or have completed post-completion OPT or STEM OPT.
• Are not on academic probation or suspension.
• Do not have a history of repeatedly failing to complete courses or other academic objectives.
• Will begin classes at the new school within five months of: 
  • transferring from your current school, or
  • completing your current program, whichever occurs first.
• If on OPT or STEM OPT, will begin classes at the new school within five months of: 
  • transferring from the school that recommended your OPT/STEM OPT, or
  • the end of your OPT/STEM OPT authorization, whichever occurs first.
     

After confirming eligibility: 

1. The student will submit their new admission letter and SEVIS transfer request in iCats.
2. The DSO will enter transfer information into SEVIS.
3. The new school will gain access to the SEVIS record on the release date chosen by the student.
4. The new school will issue a Form I-20.
5. The student may need to file an EOS with USCIS. Proper filing timelines could be dependent on the student’s I-20 end date, AUD, and applicable grace period.

Generally yes, so long as you are transferring to a higher-level program, such as an associate’s to bachelor’s, or bachelor’s to master’s.

Students should be aware of the applicable length of their grace period (30 or 60 days), which depends on whether they are subject to the transition provisions outlined above.

Students with a 30-day grace period who also need to file an EOS application should carefully consider their transfer release and account for I-20 processing times at their new school. 

Students who are under the rule’s transition provisions and are eligible for the 60-day grace period may still need to file an EOS after receiving a transfer I-20 from their new school.  

Not necessarily.

Students can move between campuses operating under the same SEVP certification, as this is considered a campus reassignment rather than a transfer. 

Ohio University’s certification includes the following campuses:

• Athens
• Zanesville
• Lancaster
• Chillicothe
• Eastern
• Southern

Prior to beginning a program of study at a regional campus, students must confirm that their program is available in an in-person format. 

No.

The restrictions on changing educational objectives apply to students who complete a program and then seek F-1 status at the same or lower educational level. Students may only request a transfer to a higher-level educational objective.

For example, moving from an associate degree to a bachelor's degree would be an acceptable progression, but completing a bachelor’s degree and transferring for a new bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or undergraduate-level certificate may no longer be acceptable. 

These are separate provisions:

Transfer Restriction

A graduate student generally may not transfer to another institution during their current graduate program.

Same Educational Level Restriction

A student who completes a master's degree after September 15, 2026, generally may not maintain, obtain, or be granted F-1 status for another master's degree because it is the same educational level.

Graduate students generally may not transfer schools while enrolled in a graduate-level program unless SEVP approves an exception based on extenuating circumstances.

However, graduate students may be eligible for a SEVIS transfer if they:

• Are fully admitted to a higher-level program.
• Are maintaining valid F-1 status.
• Have been enrolled full-time (unless an approved reduced course load was authorized).
• Have either: 
  • completed their degree program; or
  • are participating in or have completed post-completion OPT or STEM OPT.
• Are not on academic probation or suspension.
• Do not have a history of repeatedly failing to complete courses or other academic objectives.
• Will begin classes at the new school within five months of: 
  • transferring from your current school, or
  • completing your current program, whichever occurs first.
• If on OPT or STEM OPT, will begin classes at the new school within five months of: 
  • transferring from the school that recommended your OPT/STEM OPT, or
  • the end of your OPT/STEM OPT authorization, whichever occurs first.

Generally, no.

The final rule prohibits graduate-level F-1 students from transferring schools during their program of study unless SEVP authorizes an exception based on extenuating circumstances.

Students who have completed their master's degree may be eligible to transfer to another institution, provided they otherwise meet the transfer requirements and are progressing to a higher educational level consistent with the final rule.

No.

Doctoral-level degrees are terminal degrees, meaning there are no higher degree levels available for the student. Students who have completed a doctoral-level degree while in F-1 status will not be eligible to transfer to a new institution. 

After confirming eligibility:

1. The student will submit their new admission letter and SEVIS transfer request in iCats.
2. The DSO will enter transfer information into SEVIS.
3. The new school will gain access to the SEVIS record on the release date chosen by the student.
4. The new school will issue a Form I-20.
5. The student may need to file an EOS with USCIS. Proper filing timelines could be dependent on the student’s I-20 end date, AUD, and applicable grace period.

Generally yes, so long as you are transferring to a higher-level program. This means students earning a master’s degree can only transfer to a doctoral-level degree program.

Students should be aware of the applicable length of their grace period (30 or 60 days), which depends on whether they are subject to the transition provisions outlined above.

Students with a 30-day grace period who also need to file an EOS application may have a very short timeframe to file their application. Students should carefully consider their transfer release and account for I-20 processing times at their new school.

Students who are under the rule’s transition provisions and are eligible for the 60-day grace period may still need to file an EOS after receiving a transfer I-20 from their new school.  

Not necessarily.

DHS states that transfers authorized under the exception are intended to allow a student to continue, to the extent practicable, in the same educational objective. The exception is designed to preserve continuity of study and not to create a pathway for changing academic goals.