US Universities Urge International Students to Return Before September 15 as DHS Replaces ‘Duration of Status’ Rule
The rule caps F and J visa stays at four years and shortens the post-study grace period to 30 days, Columbia said.
- The Department of Homeland Security will replace the "duration of status" system with a "fixed time period of admission" on September 15, 2026, prompting Columbia University to advise F-1 and J-1 students to return to New York by September 8.
- Under the new rule, international students will be admitted for their program duration, capped at four years, with those requiring extensions needing to apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services using Form I-539.
- The regulation shortens the post-degree grace period from 60 days to 30 days, directly affecting about 300,000 Indian students in the United States, most pursuing Master's degrees in STEM fields.
- Universities including Cornell University and institutions in Pennsylvania have issued similar guidance, updating internal advisories and encouraging students to monitor official updates regarding immigration status and travel requirements.
- Spanning 60 days, the implementation period follows the final rule publication; universities state returning before the transition takes effect helps students avoid uncertainty while immigration offices adjust to new requirements.
12 Articles
12 Articles
US universities urge international students to return before September 15 as DHS replaces ‘duration of status’ rule
US universities urge international students to return before mid-September. A new Department of Homeland Security rule replaces the duration of status system. This change will admit F and J visa holders for a fixed period. Students needing extensions must apply before their admission period expires. Institutions are updating procedures and advising students to stay informed.
US colleges urge F-1 and J-1 visa holders to return before 15 September as new rules near
The four-year cap on student visas proposed by the US Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism from Khanderao Kand of FIIDS, who warns it may harm education and research. International students are advised to return to the US before September 15 to avoid disruptions.
US Student Visa Rule Change: F-1, J-1 Holders Advised To Return By This Day
According to DHS, students already in the US under D/S on September 15 can continue to remain until the programme completion date mentioned on their Form I-20 or until the end of approved optional practical training.
"I see no hope." This is how a recent F-1 international student described their feelings upon learning of the new US student visa regulations. With the tightening of US student visa regulations, Washington State universities and international students are beginning to pay close attention to the policy's impact. Students interviewed stated that the new regulations have brought more uncertainty to their study abroad plans, from status changes and …
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