US F-1 Visa New Rules 2026: What Changes From September 15 For International Students, OPT & Programme Transfers; Harvard, Columbia, Yale Issue Guidance
· Free Press Journal
US F-1 Visa New Rules 2026: A major change in how international students are admitted and maintain their status in the United States will take effect from September 15, 2026, when the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) replaces the long-standing “duration of status” system with a fixed period of admission for F-1 students.
DHS published the final rule, titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media,” in the Federal Register.
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Under the existing system, F-1 students are generally admitted for “duration of status”, or D/S, allowing them to remain in the US while maintaining their student status and making progress towards completing their programme. From September 15, students will instead receive a specific period of admission linked to their programme.
The change will also affect students who need additional time to complete their studies, begin another programme or undertake post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT.
What changes for F-1 students from September 15?
Under the new rule, F-1 students will generally be admitted for the length of their programme as listed on their Form I-20, subject to a maximum admission period of four years.
Students will also receive a 30-day period before their programme start date to enter the US and, after completing their programme or eligible post-completion training, a 30-day period to prepare for departure or seek another lawful status.
This represents a change from the previous 60-day post-completion grace period for F-1 students.
Certain programmes have additional limits. Students enrolled in English-language training programmes will generally be limited to 24 months, in addition to the applicable departure period. Students attending public high schools are limited to an aggregate period of no more than 12 months.
Students may need to apply for extension of stay
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of an Extension of Stay (EOS) process for students who need to remain in the US beyond their authorised admission period.
Students who need additional time to complete their current programme, begin a new programme or undertake post-completion OPT or STEM OPT may need to apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension.
Students are advised to work with their Designated School Official (DSO) before filing an EOS application. After receiving an updated Form I-20 with the appropriate recommendation, students must generally file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS, pay the required fee and provide biometrics where required.
Students with an unexpired visa who travel outside the US may alternatively seek a new period of admission from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when they return, subject to the applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements.
New restrictions on changing programmes & majors
The final rule also introduces changes affecting students who want to change their educational level, major or institution.
For students enrolled below the graduate level, changing educational levels or majors during the first year of a programme will generally not be permitted unless an exception is authorised because of extenuating circumstances.
For students at the graduate level or above, the restrictions are stricter. The rule generally prevents them from changing their educational level or major during their programme, unless an applicable exception is authorised.
Students who have completed a programme will also face restrictions on enrolling in another programme at the same or a lower educational level. For example, moving from a master's programme to another programme at the same level or to a bachelor's programme will generally not be permitted under the new framework.
Transfer rules also changing
The new rule changes how F-1 students can transfer between institutions.
Students below the graduate level generally cannot transfer to another school during their first year of study and must complete the first year at the institution that initially issued their Form I-20, unless an exception applies.
For students enrolled at the graduate level or above, transfers will generally not be permitted during their programme, subject to authorised exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
What happens to students already in the US?
The new system will not simply reset the admission period for every existing F-1 student on September 15.
DHS has established a transition framework for students who are already in the US under duration of status when the rule takes effect.
Such students may generally remain in the US without immediately filing an EOS application until the programme end date listed on their Form I-20 or the end of their valid post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, subject to the transition provisions and the overall limits set by the rule.
DHS states that this transition protection will not extend beyond November 14, 2030, under the specified transition framework.
Students who need to remain beyond the applicable date may need to apply for an extension of stay or leave the US and seek a new period of admission when they return.
There are also specific provisions for students who are already in the US on September 15 and subsequently apply for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT by March 18, 2027.
International travel after September 15
International travel is another area that universities are highlighting to students.
Under the new system, students who leave the US after the rule takes effect and subsequently return may be admitted under the new fixed-period system. Their Form I-94 may therefore carry a specific “Admit Until Date” rather than the previous D/S notation.
Universities are advising students to understand the potential immigration consequences of international travel before leaving the US, particularly if they have upcoming programme changes, OPT applications or extension requirements.
Harvard University has told its international community that the new rule does not immediately prevent admitted Fall 2026 students from beginning their programmes. However, its guidance stresses that the rules will become important for students as they progress through their studies.
Harvard has also advised current F-1 and J-1 students and scholars who are already in the US to understand the transition provisions. The university has specifically highlighted international travel after September 15, noting that returning students may become subject to the new admission framework.
Harvard has recommended that F-1 and J-1 students registered in on-campus Fall programmes try to be physically present in the US on September 15, while also warning that students who leave and re-enter after the effective date will be subject to the new rule upon reentry.
The university has acknowledged that some questions, including those involving dual and joint-degree programmes and international travel, may require further clarification from federal agencies.
Columbia Advises Students To Return Before Classes
Columbia University has also issued guidance on the change. The university has explained that F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will move from duration of status to a fixed admission period linked to the programme length, with a maximum of four years.
Columbia recommended that students return to New York before the start of classes on September 8, 2026, citing the implementation period and the potential implications of the new rules.
The university has also advised students who require additional time to complete their degrees to prepare for the extension-of-stay process.
Yale preparing further guidance
Yale University has described the rule as a significant change to the way F-1 and J-1 students and scholars maintain and extend their status.
The university has cautioned that some provisions require further guidance from DHS, the US Department of State, USCIS, CBP and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Yale said it will continue reviewing the rule and plans to provide additional resources on Form I-539 extension-of-stay applications and Form I-94 admission records.
NYU highlights I-94 & travel requirements
New York University (NYU) has also warned students about the importance of their admission records following international travel.
Its guidance explains that students returning to the US after September 15 may receive a date-certain Form I-94, which could affect future OPT, Academic Training and extension-of-stay planning.
NYU has also advised F-1 and J-1 students not to use Global Entry, Nexus or CLEAR when entering the US, stating that these expedited-entry programmes may not account for the specific requirements applicable to international students and scholars and could result in an incorrect I-94.
Northeastern University warns about unlawful presence
Northeastern University has explained that, from September 15, the I-94 for affected students will show a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) instead of the D/S notation.
The university has warned that students who remain in the US beyond their authorised date without taking timely action to extend their stay could begin accruing unlawful presence.
Northeastern has also highlighted the changes to programme changes, transfers and the reduction of the F-1 post-completion grace period from 60 days to 30 days.
What International students should do now
With the rule taking effect on September 15, international students should review their immigration documents and understand how the new fixed admission framework could affect their individual circumstances.
Students should:
Check the programme end date on their Form I-20.
Understand how their Form I-94 will reflect their authorised period of admission.
Speak to their Designated School Official (DSO) before making changes to their programme, major or institution.
Plan well in advance if they may need an Extension of Stay (Form I-539).
Check the implications of international travel before leaving the US after September 15.
Keep records of their I-20, I-94, visa, OPT or STEM OPT documents and other immigration records.
Follow updates issued by their university's international student or scholar office and federal immigration agencies.
The new rule marks a significant shift from the decades-old duration-of-status framework. While current students will receive certain transition protections, universities are urging international students to pay closer attention to admission dates, travel, programme changes and extension requirements under the new system.