International Student Services
Learn About the End of Duration of Status (D/S) and Upcoming Changes
On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule ending Duration of Status (D/S) for individuals in F and J nonimmigrant status and establishing new regulations governing these classifications.
The rule becomes effective September 15, 2026, and applies to:
- Individuals who enter the United States in F or J status on or after September 15, 2026.
- Individuals who are already present in the United States, even if their current Form I-94 lists "D/S" (Duration of Status). A transitional provision will apply during the first year of implementation for those who were already in the United States before the rule takes effect.
We recognize that this announcement may create uncertainty and prompt many questions about how these changes will affect our F-1 and J-1 international student community. At this time, many implementation details are still being reviewed. International Student Services (ISS) is actively collaborating with immigration experts, legal resources, and national organizations to carefully analyze the final rule, understand its requirements, establish implementation timelines, and determine any immediate impacts for our students.There is no action you need to take at this time.
This communication is intended to keep you informed while ISS conducts a thorough review of the new regulations. Because the final rule is extensive and complex, it will take time to fully evaluate its implications before providing guidance. Our priority is to ensure that any information we share is accurate, complete, and reflects the latest guidance available.
During this review period, we kindly ask that you do not send emails regarding individual F-1 or J-1 student cases related to these regulatory changes, as we may not yet have definitive answers. We also ask for your patience as we update our website and other resources. ISS webpages will continue to reflect current guidance until our review is complete and we have determined the immediate impacts of the new regulations.
We appreciate your patience and understanding and will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.
The following documents will guide you through the application process for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT):
Curricular Practical Training:
Optional Practical Training: