This page is for you if you will attend the UW in Autumn 2026. This FAQ is a general information resource. You should contact ISS for case-specific advising.
General
Beginning September 15, 2026, you will be admitted to the U.S. for a specific period of study instead of for duration of status (D/S). Your I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) will be your I-20/DS-2019 program end date, not to exceed 4 years (whichever is earlier). The AUD will also include a 30-day grace period instead of a 60-day grace period. The AUD on your I-94 is the maximum time you will be allowed to stay in the U.S. without traveling & re-entering or applying for an Extension of Stay (EOS) to complete your program (if more than 4 years), transfer to another school, change of academic level, or change visa status.
The new regulations allow a transition provision which allows any F-1 or J-1 student present in the U.S. before September 15, to remain under Duration of Status (D/S). Students will retain D/S status through the end of their academic program or employment authorization as long as they are maintaining status and the program end date does not exceed 4 years. Students under D/S will also retain a 60-day grace period. Even if you remain under D/S, all F and J students will be subject to the new restrictions limiting changes to your educational objectives including major, degree level, and institution.
You must follow the new regulatory guidelines and will receive an updated I-94 with a fixed end date instead of D/S if you:
- Travel internationally after the new rules go into effect
- Need more time to complete your degree
- Apply for Optional Practical Training
- Plan to change your educational level
Regardless of whether you travel, the government will change all students to a fixed end date starting November 14, 2030.
The final rule will take effect September 15, 2026. Until then, current D/S rules remain. The effective date could change if the government delays implementation, Congress disapproves the rule, or a court intervenes, so you should continue to read emails sent by ISS and monitor the D/S hub for official updates on any delays or changes.
You do not need to take any action at this time. If you have upcoming international travel plans or you will be returning to the U.S., review the information about the new regulations and understand how traveling before or after September 15 might impact your entry. If you have any questions about upcoming academic changes, we recommend meeting with an ISS advisor to determine if any action is necessary before September 15.
Not immediately. If you are in the U.S. under D/S before September 15, your I-94 Admit Until Date will still indicate D/S. Any of the following actions, however, will result in the issuance of a new I-94 with a fixed AUD:
- Travel and re-entry on or after September 15, 2026
- Requesting an extension to your current academic program (I-20/DS-2019)
- Applying for OPT/STEM OPT after February 17, 2027
- Applying for Reinstatement
ISS generally send reminders and targeted guidance about I-20/DS-2019 program end dates using the data available to us. However, you are responsible for understanding and monitoring your immigration records and deadlines. This includes carefully reviewing and tracking your I-94 Admit Until Date and acting promptly to avoid violation of your F or J status before your period of authorized stay in the U.S. ends.
Yes. If you timely and properly file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS before your authorized period of stay expires, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. and continue your studies while USCIS reviews your application.
Academics
Under the new regulations, you will still need to submit an extension request to ISS with the reason you need an extension before your I-20 or DS-2019 ends. ISS will then issue you an extended I-20 or DS-2019, but the government now requires an additional step to review the extension. You will need to either:
- Use your ISS-extended I-20 or DS-2019 to file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS before the program end date; or
- Depart and seek readmission to the U.S. with your ISS-extended I-20 or DS-2019.
Plan early and contact ISS well before the AUD. Under the new policy, you will still need to submit an extension request to ISS with the reason you need an extension. ISS will then issue you an extended I-20 or DS-2019, but the government must now complete an additional step to review the extension. You will need to either
- Use your ISS-extended I-20 or DS-2019 to file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS before the AUD; or
- Depart and seek readmission to the U.S. with your ISS-issued extended I-20 or DS-2019.
The final rule creates new restrictions on some changes to your educational objective.
- If you are below the graduate level, you may not change your major during your first academic year.
- If you are a graduate student, you face stricter limits on changing your educational objectives and may not change your major or program at any point during your studies.
If you have questions about changing your major and whether the new regulations will impact you, meet with an ISS advisor to discuss your situation before you make any changes with your academic department.
The final rule creates new restrictions on your ability to transfer schools.
- If you are below the graduate level, you cannot transfer schools or change your academic program or level during your first academic year.
- If you are a graduate student, you cannot transfer programs at any time.
If you have questions about changing schools and whether the new regulations will impact you, meet with an ISS advisor to discuss your situation before taking any steps with the other school.
The rule limits your post-completion academic movement. After completing your program, you may pursue another program only at a higher educational level, subject to eligibility and timing requirements. You cannot start a new program at the same or lower educational level of your completed degree.
If you are in the U.S. before September 15 and your I-94 AUD remains D/S, you will keep the legacy 60-day grace period after completing your program under the transition provisions in the new regulations.
However, you will be subject to the new fixed AUD with a 30-day grace period if any of the following occur:
- Travel and reenter the U.S. any time on or after Sept. 15, 2026; or
- Apply for an Extension of Stay for more time, change of level, or transfer; or
- Apply for post-completion OPT after March 18, 2027
The D/S provision will not extend beyond Nov. 14, 2030, regardless of your prior D/S admission. Consult ISS before you make travel plans or request additional time to complete your program so we can help you understand which grace period applies.
If you are admitted to the U.S. under a date-specific Admit Until Date (AUD), your I-94 will have a fixed end date plus a 30-day grace period. This means you have 30 days after completing your program to depart the U.S., apply for post-completion OPT, transfer if eligible, change to a higher degree level at UW, or change status.
If your degree program is more than 4 years, you will be admitted to the U.S. for a maximum authorized period of stay of 4 years plus a 30-day grace period. To continue your degree program beyond 4 years, you will need to file an Extension of Stay with USCIS before the AUD or you can travel and reenter the U.S. to establish a new I-94 AUD plus grace period that matches your I-20/DS-2019 end date.
Employment
The rule does not change the standard F-1 employment categories, but it makes timing more important. Your employment authorization cannot extend beyond your valid status or authorized period of stay in the U.S. If you apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) before your I-20 program end date, the new rule allows automatic employment authorization for up to 240 days while USCIS reviews your EOS application. Before continuing work, consult ISS regarding employment eligibility if you have a pending EOS.
Yes, you can continue working on campus if you file an EOS application before your I-20 or DS-2019 end date and you are otherwise eligible for on-campus employment. Under the new rules, USCIS automatically extends your authorization for on-campus employment for up to 240 days while it reviews your EOS application. However, if you file your EOS application after your program end date but during the 30-day grace period, you will not receive automatic work authorization and may not work while USCIS reviews your application.
You must stop working if USCIS denies your EOS, if your 240-day period ends before USCIS makes a decision, or if you are otherwise no longer eligible for on-campus employment.
The final published rule does not address this issue. We need further clarification to determine whether this will be possible.
If you are in the U.S. under D/S status on Sept. 15, 2026, and timely file Form I-765 for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, you will not be required to file a separate EOS application. Under the D/S transition provisions, you will only be required to file Form I-765 for your requested OPT or STEM OPT period of stay. Once approved, your employment end date on the EAD card will replace D/S under the new rules.
However, D/S will no longer apply and you will become subject to the new fixed-AUD policy which will require you to file both an OPT/STEM OPT and EOS application with USCIS if you:
- Travel and reenter the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, including while on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT; or
- File for Post-completion OPT or STEM OPT after March 18, 2027.
The D/S transition provisions will not extend beyond Nov. 14, 2030 for all F-1 and J-1 students, regardless of your prior D/S admission.
Yes, if you entered the U.S. any time on or after Sept. 15 and you were given a date-specific I-94 AUD that does not include your requested period of work authorization, you will be required to file an Extension of Stay as well as the I-765 for OPT or STEM OPT.
The final rule preserves the general H-1B cap-gap policy. If you are on OPT or STEM OPT, you should still coordinate early with ISS, your employer, and immigration lawyers because a fixed AUD can create additional timing considerations.
Travel
If you travel internationally and are readmitted to the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, you will receive a new I-94 with a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) that includes a 30-day departure period. Entering the U.S. under the new rules will change your AUD from D/S to the new fixed-date policy based on your program end date. Nothing else has changed and traveling internationally after Sept. 15 does not necessarily create more risk. Before you travel, always review your passport, visa, travel signature, and I-20 or DS-2019 dates to make sure all are valid. If you have additional concerns or pending USCIS applications, consult ISS about your intended timeline for further guidance.
Departing and returning to the U.S. always carries some risk because CBP does not guarantee re-entry. However, the government allows this option while your extension of stay (EOS) application remains pending. Under the new rules, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may review and approve your re-entry at a Port of Entry based on your extended I-20. If CBP readmits you and issues a new I-94 with a fixed AUD, USCIS will close your pending EOS application. If you have concerns about traveling with a pending USCIS Extension of Stay application, meet with an ISS advisor before finalizing your travel plans.
When CBP admits you under the new fixed-Admit Until Date (AUD) rules, it will issue your I-94 AUD through the program end date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period.
For travel and entry to the U.S. starting on Sept. 15, 2026, your I-94 should show:
- Class of Admission: F-1 or J-1
- Admit Until Date: a fixed date, not to exceed 4 years
If your I-94 does not match this, contact ISS promptly before taking action.
The UW issues I-20s for the estimated time students need to complete all degree requirements for their programs. The new rule does not change how long the UW may issue an I-20 for a degree program. Under the new regulations, the authorized period of stay in the U.S. cannot exceed 4 years plus a 30-day grace period, even if your academic program is longer than that. The new regulation does not mean you must complete your degree in 4 years. It simply means the government wants F-1 and J-1 students to verify they are maintaining status and have a reason to stay longer than 4 years in the U.S. through either applying to USCIS for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or traveling and re-entering to receive an updated I-94 AUD that matches the program end date on your I-20/DS-2019, plus the 30-day grace period.
If you started a PhD program in Sept 2023 and your current program I-20/DS-2019 end date is June 9, 2028, when you travel and re-enter the U.S. under the new policy, your I-94 AUD should be July 9, 2028. Even though your full program lasts more than four years, CBP will admit you to the U.S. through the end of your program plus a 30-day grace period.
If you are starting a PhD program this September and your current I-20/DS-2019 program is June 13, 2031, your I-94 AUD will be Oct. 30, 2030 if you travel to the U.S. on or after September 15. You will be able to extend your stay by either traveling and re-entering the U.S. or applying to USCIS for an extension of stay any time before Oct. 2030.
Whenever you travel internationally during your studies in the U.S., CBP will update your I-94 when you re-enter. Your I-94 will show an AUD based on whichever period is shorter: your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date plus a 30-day grace period, or a maximum of four years.
No. This new rule and the fixed-date AUD do not change your visa’s expiration date or the policies governing how long you may remain in the U.S. after your visa expires. You must present the F-1 or J-1 visa stamp issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to enter the U.S. A valid visa allows you to request admission at a Port of Entry, where a CBP officer decides whether to admit you. After entry, your I-94 with either D/S or the new fixed AUD determines how long you may remain in the U.S. in F or J status.
Your status does not automatically end if your visa expires while you are in the U.S. However, you must obtain a new visa if you leave and plan to re-enter the U.S. Although you may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa, an expired or incorrect I-94 entry record or Form I-20/DS-2019 can jeopardize your F or J status. Contact ISS immediately if your I-94 has expired or contains incorrect information.