On September 15, 2026, a new rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security takes effect, significantly changing the rules for international students of USA universities and colleges on F‑1 visas. Instead of the previous "Duration of Status" (D/S) — which allowed students to stay as long as their programme lasted — there is now a fixed admission period. In most cases, this does not exceed four years.
In an official clarification on the Study in the States portal, DHS specifies: starting from September 15, 2026, F‑1 students receive a fixed period of admission — for the period indicated on Form I‑20, but not exceeding four years, plus 30 days for arrival and 30 days for departure. More details: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/final-rule-establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-faq
What Changes: A Fixed Period Instead of Indefinite Status
Previously, border officials would stamp "D/S" on Form I‑94 — and a student could remain in the country as long as they were studying, even if their programme lasted longer than four years (for example, in PhD programmes). Now, instead of D/S, a specific date will be entered on the I‑94 — an "Admit Until Date" (AUD). This date is tied to the programme end date on Form I‑20, but cannot exceed four years.
If the programme lasts longer than four years, the student is required to file an application for Extension of Status with USCIS before the AUD expires. This is not an automatic procedure — it will require vetting and a justification for the additional time.
Grace Period: Cut from 60 to 30 Days
One of the biggest changes is the reduction of the grace period after programme completion. Previously, graduates had 60 days to leave the country, transfer to another school, or change status. Now this period has been halved — to just 30 days.
This applies not only to programme completion but also to early completion. If a student finishes their studies earlier than the date on their I‑20, the 30‑day countdown begins from the actual completion date.
Transfers and Change of Major: New Restrictions
The new rules place significant restrictions on academic mobility.
For undergraduate students, the following restrictions apply. During the first academic year, changing majors or transferring to another school is not permitted without mitigating circumstances. An exception is only possible in cases of extraordinary events beyond the control of the school and the student — for example, revocation of a school's SEVP certification, a merger of schools, or a natural disaster. After completing the first year of undergraduate study, changing majors and transferring to another school is generally permitted, provided the student has no academic debt and does not demonstrate a persistent inability to complete their studies.
For graduate and doctoral students, the rules are stricter: after enrolling in a programme, it is not possible to add or change a specialisation. Changing to a lower educational level (for example, from a master's to a bachelor's) is prohibited. Transfers to another school for doctoral students are also significantly restricted. Double majors are only allowed if the student selected both from the start.
Fee Increases: SEVIS and New Charges
The financial side has also changed. The SEVIS I‑901 fee, which was previously $350, was increased to $380 at the beginning of 2026. In February 2026, a proposal was published to further increase it to $400 from October 1, 2026, but at the time of writing, this increase has not been finalised.
In addition, a new fee is being introduced — the Visa Integrity Fee of $250. This applies not only to F‑1 but also to B1/B2, J‑1, H‑1B, and other visas. According to the law firm Hummel Law, this fee is being introduced from fiscal year 2026 (starting October 1, 2025) and applies to tourist, student, work, and exchange visas. It is a refundable deposit designed to encourage compliance with visa regulations — it can be returned upon timely departure and compliance with status.
More details can be found here: https://hummellaw.ca/new-usa-visa-integrity-fee-how-it-affects-canadian-permanent-residents/#Are_Canadian_Permanent_Residents_Exempt
The consular fee for filing an F‑1 visa application remains at $185.
Who the New Rules Apply To
The new rules apply to all students who enter the U.S. or re‑enter the country after September 15, 2026.
For those already in the U.S. when the rules take effect and who have a "D/S" notation on their I‑94, a transition period applies: they retain their status until the end of their programme (or until the end of OPT), but for no more than four years from September 15, 2026. After leaving the country and re‑entering, they will fall under the new rules.
What to Do Now
If you are planning to apply for an F‑1 visa in 2026 or are already studying in the U.S. — here are a few practical steps.
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Check the date on your I‑94 upon your next entry — instead of D/S, there will be a specific AUD date. Make sure it corresponds to the duration of your programme.
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If your programme lasts more than four years, make sure you allow enough time to apply for an Extension of Status with USCIS. This is not an automatic procedure, and you should start well in advance.
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Keep the shorter grace period in mind when planning your next steps — 30 days after graduation instead of the previous 60. If you were counting on OPT, this does not change the OPT timeline itself, but the window for submitting documents and looking for a job becomes tighter.
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Be careful when planning a change of major or transfer — especially in your first year and at graduate level. Doctoral students should remember that after starting a programme, changing specialisation or transferring to another school will be nearly impossible.
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Finally, factor the new fees into your budget: SEVIS is now $380 (with a possible increase to $400) plus the $250 Visa Integrity Fee.
In Summary
2026 has brought the most significant changes to F‑1 student rules in decades. A fixed admission period instead of indefinite status, a shorter grace period, stricter rules on changing majors and transferring, and higher fees — all of this means students and their families need to plan more carefully. The system is now less flexible and more restrictive. However, with proper preparation and a clear understanding of the new rules, studying in the US is still achievable. The key is not to rely on outdated information and to plan according to the 2026 rules.