New U.S. Fixed Admission Rule for F-1 Students Effective September 2026

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule changing how the authorised stay of individuals in the F, J and I nonimmigrant classifications is determined.

The most significant change for international students is the elimination of Duration of Status — D/S for F-1 students and its replacement with a fixed admission period carrying a specific expiration date.

The final rule was published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, and is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. The document also identifies the regulation as a major rule subject to congressional review. DHS states that it will publish a further notice if the effective date changes as a result of that process.

What is Duration of Status?

Under the previous framework, most F-1 students were admitted with the notation D/S on their Form I-94 records.

D/S did not provide a specific expiration date. A student could generally remain in the United States while:

Pursuing a full course of study at an approved institution;
Continuing to comply with the conditions of F-1 status;
Participating in authorised practical training;
And using the permitted departure period after completing the programme or training.

DHS states that the absence of a fixed expiration date made oversight of certain F, J and I nonimmigrants dependent in part on information maintained and updated by schools, programme sponsors and participants. The new rule is intended to provide more frequent review and help the government determine whether individuals continue to maintain lawful status.

What will change under the new rule?

Once the rule takes effect, F-1 students will no longer be admitted for D/S. Instead, their immigration records will include a fixed expiration date.

The admission period will generally be based on the programme length shown on Form I-20 but will not exceed four years for an admission or extension period. Students may still enter the United States up to 30 days before the programme start date and will generally receive an additional 30-day departure period after completing the programme or authorised post-completion practical training.

This does not mean that all academic programmes in the United States are limited to four years.

A student enrolled in a longer programme, such as a doctoral degree, may continue studying if the student remains eligible and receives an approved extension of stay from USCIS.

Students may need to apply for an extension of stay

A student who needs to remain in the United States beyond the expiration date of the authorised admission period will generally need to file an Extension of Stay — EOS application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or depart and seek readmission with appropriate documentation.

This is an important departure from the previous process. Under the D/S framework, a Designated School Official could update a qualifying student’s programme end date in SEVIS and issue a revised Form I-20.

Under the new framework, an academic programme extension issued by the school will not, by itself, extend the student’s immigration stay.

The DSO may continue to support or recommend the academic programme extension, but USCIS will determine whether the student is legally eligible to remain in the United States for the additional period.

A student who files a timely EOS application may continue pursuing a full course of study while USCIS adjudicates the application, even after the original admission period expires.

The F-1 departure period will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days

Under the previous regulations, F-1 students generally had a 60-day grace period after completing their programme or authorised post-completion practical training.

During this period, a student could prepare to depart, transfer to another programme, take steps to change immigration status or pursue another permitted option.

The final rule reduces this period to 30 days.

If a student ends a programme or training earlier than expected, the student and eligible dependants must depart the United States or take action to maintain lawful status within 30 days of the revised end date.

Students planning further study, a school transfer, OPT or a change of immigration status will therefore need to begin preparing earlier.

New restrictions on school transfers and programme changes

The final rule also introduces restrictions concerning school transfers, changes in educational objectives and movement between academic levels.

Students generally must complete the first academic year before transferring

An F-1 student will generally be required to complete the first academic year at the school that issued the initial Form I-20 before:

Transferring to another SEVP-certified school;
Or changing the educational objective or programme of study.

SEVP may authorise an exception in an appropriate case.

Additional restrictions apply at the graduate level

Students at the graduate level or above will generally be prohibited from changing their educational objective during the programme.

Graduate students will also be restricted from transferring schools while their programme is in progress unless SEVP approves an exception based on extenuating circumstances.

Further study must generally be at a higher educational level

After completing a programme, an F-1 student will generally be permitted to begin another programme only at a higher educational level.

The rule prohibits a student from remaining in F-1 status by beginning another programme at the same or a lower educational level after completing the current programme.

For example, a student completing a bachelor’s degree may proceed to a master’s programme. Beginning another bachelor’s programme solely to continue F-1 status may no longer be permitted under the new framework.

English-language training will be limited to 24 months

The rule limits F-1 students enrolled in language-training programmes to an aggregate stay of 24 months.

This period includes programme breaks and annual vacations.

Students planning to begin with an English-language programme before moving to a college or university should therefore have a defined academic progression plan.

Which reasons may not support an extension?

DHS states that certain causes of delayed programme completion will generally not be considered acceptable reasons for an extension.

Examples identified in the final rule include:

Academic probation;
Academic suspension;
Repeated inability to complete the programme;
Or unwillingness to complete the course of study within the expected period.

Every application will depend on its facts, but students should not assume that receiving a new Form I-20 from the school will automatically result in USCIS approving additional time in the United States.

Are OPT and STEM OPT being eliminated?

The final rule does not eliminate Optional Practical Training or STEM OPT.

Students must, however, ensure that their authorised admission dates align with their OPT filing plans, approved employment periods and any required extension-of-stay application.

The rule provides a six-month transitional filing reprieve for certain students applying for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT. Students should review their individual timelines with their DSO and follow updated USCIS and SEVP guidance.

Does the rule affect students already in the United States?

The final rule includes procedures for transitioning individuals in F, J and I status from D/S to fixed admission periods.

Students already in the United States should therefore monitor transition guidance, their Form I-20 programme end dates and any updated expiration date appearing in their admission records.

DHS and SEVP are expected to continue publishing implementation guidance for students and certified schools.

What should Vietnamese students do?

Vietnamese students currently studying in the United States or preparing to begin their studies should take several practical steps.

1. Review Form I-20 carefully

Students should confirm:

The programme start date;
The programme end date;
The academic level and major;
The school information;
And the accuracy of the SEVIS record.

2. Check Form I-94 after every entry

After arriving in the United States, students should verify:

That the admission classification is F-1;
The Admit Until Date;
And the accuracy of personal information.

Under the new framework, the I-94 expiration date will become especially important because it identifies the authorised admission period.

3. Begin extension planning early

Students enrolled in programmes extending beyond their authorised admission dates should not wait until shortly before expiration to prepare an EOS application.

Documents may include:

An updated Form I-20;
DSO support or recommendation;
Evidence that the student maintained F-1 status;
Academic records;
An explanation of the need for additional time;
And evidence of financial support.

4. Consult the DSO before changing programmes or schools

Decisions that were previously relatively routine, such as transferring after one semester or changing graduate programmes, may be restricted under the final rule.

Students should not stop attending, transfer their records or enrol in a new programme before confirming their eligibility.

5. Maintain a coherent academic plan

A study plan should clearly explain:

Why the student selected the field;
Why the chosen academic level is appropriate;
The expected completion timeline;
Any intended OPT;
And the student’s plan after graduation.

Repeated school changes, lateral degree enrolments or unexplained programme delays may create greater compliance risk under the new framework.

Will this change the F-1 visa application process in Vietnam?

The rule primarily concerns admission periods and maintenance of status after a student enters the United States. It does not replace the entire F-1 visa process conducted through a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Applicants will still generally need to:

Obtain Form I-20 from an SEVP-certified school;
Pay the SEVIS fee;
Complete the visa application;
Attend an interview when required;
And demonstrate a genuine academic purpose, sufficient financial capacity and a credible study plan.

However, students should now also consider the fixed admission period, possible EOS filings and the new restrictions on transfers and academic changes when developing their overall study plan.

Conclusion

Replacing Duration of Status with fixed admission periods represents a significant change to the management of international students in the United States.

For most students who follow a clear academic plan, progress on schedule and comply with F-1 requirements, the rule does not mean that completing a programme lasting longer than four years will be impossible.

It does mean that students will need to manage the following more carefully:

The expiration date on Form I-94;
The programme end date on Form I-20;
Extension-of-stay filing deadlines;
Transfer and programme-change restrictions;
OPT planning;
And the new 30-day departure period.

VNIS Education recommends that students and families regularly review updates from DHS, USCIS, SEVP and the school’s DSO.

Each student’s circumstances are different. This article provides general information and should not be treated as legal or immigration advice for an individual case.

Sources: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Student and Exchange Visitor Program and the Federal Register.