NOTE: This message represents a communication that was sent on September 15, 2026. Please visit the Duration of Status page for the latest updates.
Dear Students,
There is an important update on the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed rule that would have ended “Duration of Status” (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
On Monday, September 14, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the final rule from taking effect on September 15. As a result, the rule ending D/S will NOT take effect on September 15 as originally scheduled, and the current D/S regulations remain in place. What this means for our international students and scholars:
- F-1 and J-1 students and scholars and their dependents will continue to be admitted and to remain in the U.S. for Duration of Status (D/S), as long as they continue to comply with the terms of their immigration status. There is currently no specific Admit Until Date (AUD) for those in F-1/J-1 status.
- Students and scholars can still extend their F-1/J-1 status by submitting the extension request to the International Services Office (ISO). They do not currently need to apply for an Extension of Stay with USCIS.
- F-1 students are not subject to the proposed rule’s new limits on changing their educational objective, transferring institutions, or starting new programs of study—these restrictions also do not go into effect while the preliminary injunction is in place.
Please note that this is a preliminary court order, not a final resolution. The government can be expected to appeal the injunction, and the underlying litigation is ongoing. The rule may still take effect later, depending on how the case proceeds.
We know that this rule has created ongoing uncertainty, anxiety, and many questions for our international students and scholars. We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as soon as anything changes.