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Proposed Rule to Eliminate F-1/J-1 Duration of Status (D/S)

September 18, 2025

Proposed Rule to Eliminate F-1/J-1 Duration of Status (D/S)

On August 28, the Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule to establish a fixed time period for students and exchange visitors in F and J immigration statuses. It is important to note that this is a proposed rule and is not currently in effect. When or if a final rule is published, it may be different than this proposed rule.

If this rule is implemented as proposed, key changes include:

  1. eliminating Duration of Status (D/S) and changing F and J statuses to have specific end dates for their permission to stay in the US, tied to their program end date, but not to exceed 4 years
  2. requiring students and exchange visitors who need additional time to apply for an extension of stay to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with an application form and fee
  3. prohibiting F-1 graduate students from changing their academic program/school prior to degree completion
  4. prohibiting F-1 students from completing a second degree in the US at the same educational level or from changing to a lower educational level (from PhD to master’s, for example)
  5. requiring undergraduate F-1 students to complete an academic year before being able to change their educational objective or transfer to another school
  6. decreasing the F-1 grace period from 60 to 30 days

Again, these are proposed changes and are not currently in effect. ISO will notify students and scholars if or when any actual changes are published, along with the effective date of changes. It is important to note that the university responded to the proclamation during the 30-day comment period on Monday, September 28, 2025.  After the comment period, DHS will review all comments and will consider changes to the proposed rule. After any revisions are made, DHS will again place it in the Federal Register as a final rule with an effective date. This process can take several months to complete.

We know proposed rule changes can cause uncertainty and anxiety, and we want students and scholars to know that we are here to support you. Please reach out to ISO you have any questions.