Main Content

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Elimination of Duration of Status (D/S) and Transition to Admit Until Date (AUD)

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that replaces Duration of Status (D/S) with fixed periods of admission for most F-1 students, J-1 Exchange Visitors, I nonimmigrants, and their dependents. The rule becomes effective on September 15, 2026, and includes transition guidelines for those who are already in the United States.

What is Duration of Status: 

Under the previous regulations, students admitted in Duration of Status (D/S) were authorized to remain in the United States for the duration of their academic program while maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 status, any approved period of practical training, and the applicable grace period following completion of their program.

What is an Admit Until Date: 

Beginning September 15, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will generally issue an Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94 rather than admitting students or scholars for Duration of Status.

Grace Period Changes: 

Individuals admitted under the new AUD system after September 15, 2026, will generally receive a 30-day grace period following completion of their academic program. Current F-1 students who are already in the United States in Duration of Status will generally retain the existing 60-day grace period unless they:

  • File an Extension of Stay application with USCIS; or 
  • Depart the United States and are subsequently readmitted under the new AUD system. 

Additional Academic Program and Work Authorization Changes: 

In addition to the elimination of duration of status, DHS has approved additional regulatory changes impacting a students' ability to change "educational objectives" including majors and education levels. DHS also has provided for a "transition period" for students and scholars currently under the duration of status rule. Please review the sections below for all changes. 

See a presentation overview of the changes here: Duration of Status Elimination Webinar

Study in the States FAQs

  • Bachelor's student: Admission may generally be issued through the expected program completion date (up to four years), plus a 30-day grace period. 
  • Master's student: Admission may generally be issued through the expected program completion date, plus a 30-day grace period. 
  • Doctoral student: Admission may generally be issued through the expected program completion date, up to a maximum four-year admission period. Students whose doctoral programs extend beyond four years will generally need to apply for an Extension of Stay before their AUD expires. 

Students who are already present in the United States in Duration of Status prior to September 15, 2026, will generally remain in Duration of Status under the transition provisions.

However, students who:

  • Depart the United States and are readmitted after September 15, 2026;
  • File an Extension of Stay application and receive an AUD; or
  • Continue beyond the transition period established by the final rule

May become subject to the new AUD requirements. Students who expect to continue beyond the completion of their current academic program, including approved OPT or STEM OPT where applicable, should consult ISSS well in advance to determine whether an Extension of Stay application will be required.

Automatic Continued Authorization to Work During Extension of Stay Applications: 

Students who timely file an extension of stay (EOS) application before their Admit Until Date (AUD) expires, including before the start of the 30-day departure period, may continue on-campus employment, off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, and curricular practical training for up to 240 days while the application is pending. However, students who file an EOS during the 30-day departure period must stop all employment while the EOS is pending and may only resume work if the extension is approved. 

Students currently present in the United States filling for OPT and STEM OPT up to six (6) months after the final implementation of the rule on September 15th (March 14, 2027) will, generally, not be required to submit an Extension of Stay application and remain under Duration of Status - unless the student: 

  • Departs the United States and is readmitted after September 15, 2026;
  • Files an Extension of Stay application and receive an AUD; or
  • Continues beyond the transition period established by the final rule.

Students currently on OPT and STEM OPT will existing authorization that would require an application after March 18, 2027 will be require to submit both the I-539 application for Extension of Stay and the I-765 application for their work authorization category of OPT or STEM OPT. 

Automatic Continued Authorization to Work During Extension of Stay Applications: 

Students who timely file an extension of stay (EOS) application before their Admit Until Date (AUD) expires, including before the start of the 30-day departure period, may continue on-campus employment, off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, and curricular practical training for up to 240 days while the application is pending. However, students who file an EOS during the 30-day departure period must stop all employment while the EOS is pending and may only resume work if the extension is approved. 

Changing Majors

  • Bachelor's Students: Undergraduate students generally may not change majors during their first academic year (Fall and Spring semesters).
  • Master's and Doctoral Students: Graduate students generally may not change their major field of study after beginning their academic program except in limited circumstances permitted under the regulations.

Changing Educational Levels

  • All students generally may not move to a lower or equivalent educational level while maintaining the same period of admission.

SEVIS Transfers

  • Bachelor's Students: Undergraduate students generally may not transfer schools or change their educational objective during their first academic year. Transfers may generally occur after one academic year.
  • Master's and Doctoral Students: Graduate students generally may not transfer schools or change their educational objective after beginning their academic program unless they are progressing to a higher educational level.