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International Student Services

D/S FAQs – Alumni

This page is for alumni. These FAQs provide general information. Contact ISS for guidance about your individual circumstances.

General

Do the new regulations impact me if I am an alum with an active F-1 or J-1 immigration record?

Starting September 15, 2026, any alum participating in OPT, STEM OPT, or Academic Training who travels and reenters the U.S. will be assigned a fixed I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) under the new regulations. Your previous D/S status will be replaced with a specific end date. The fixed I-94 AUD should be based on the end date on your employment authorization document (EAD) or DS-2019 plus a 30-day grace period.

If you are physically present in the U.S. under D/S and maintaining your status before September 15, you will retain D/S under the transition provision in the new rules. The transition provision allows you to remain in the U.S. under D/S through the duration of your employment or training authorization dates but will not extend beyond November 14, 2030, for those in F status and October 15, 2030, for those in J status. If you are in the U.S. before the new rule takes effect, F-1 students will retain the legacy 60-day grace period under D/S. If you are a J-1 alum, you will continue to receive a 30-day grace period.

You will become subject to the fixed-period Admit Until Date policy and no longer eligible for D/S if you:

  • travel internationally and reenter the U.S. any time on or after September 15, 2026;
  • apply for OPT or STEM OPT after March 18, 2027;
  • extend J-1 Academic Training; or
  • begin a new eligible academic or exchange program.

Additionally, you will face new restrictions if you plan to pursue another degree. If you complete a program on or after September 15, 2026, you may only pursue a degree program at a higher educational level. Degree programs at the same or lower educational level will not be allowed under the new regulations. Any degree programs completed before September 15 will not be considered when the new rule takes effect.

When will the new regulations begin to affect me?

The final rule will take effect September 15, 2026. Until then, current D/S rules remain if you are traveling and reentering the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status. The effective date could change if the government delays implementation, Congress disapproves the rule, or a court intervenes. Continue to read emails sent by ISS and monitor the D/S Hub for official updates, changes, or delays.

Do I need to take any action before September 15?

You do not need to take action at this time. If you have international travel plans, you should consider how the timing of your reentry may affect your Form I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) and review ISS travel information. If you are planning to apply for OPT or STEM OPT, extend Academic Training, or begin another academic program, meet with an ISS advisor to determine whether any additional steps or actions are needed.

Will my D/S admission automatically be replaced with a specific date?

Not immediately. If you are physically in the U.S. under D/S before September 15 and you qualify for the transition provisions under the new rules, your I-94 Admit Until Date will still indicate D/S and will not automatically be replaced. Any of the following actions, however, will result in a fixed I-94 Admit Until Date:

  • traveling and reentry to the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026;
  • applying for OPT or STEM OPT after March 18, 2027;
  • extending J-1 Academic Training; or
  • beginning a new eligible program and receiving an Extension of Stay or seeking readmission to the U.S.

What should I watch for if I graduate in summer quarter 2026?

Your situation on September 15, 2026, will depend on whether you are physically present in the U.S. and within the post-completion 60-day grace period, whether you have a pending or approved OPT application, whether you are outside the U.S., or whether you have obtained another immigration status. Meet with an ISS advisor to discuss your circumstances and options.

Will my I-94 automatically change if I am in a valid F-1 grace period on September 15?

No, it will not automatically change. If you are physically present in the United States under a prior D/S admission before September 15, 2026, remain in the United States when the new rule takes effect, and continue maintaining your status, you will qualify for the D/S transition provision. The transition provision allows you to remain in that status and retain the 60-day legacy grace period. However, your grace period is still time-sensitive. You will lose eligibility for some options if you do not apply for OPT, request a SEVIS transfer or change of educational level, depart the U.S., or file a change of immigration status, before the end of your grace period. If you have questions or want to discuss your options during the grace period, meet with an ISS advisor.

Can I remain in the U.S. while my Extension of Stay application is pending?

Yes. If you timely file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS before your authorized period of stay expires, you can remain in the U.S. while your application is pending.

If I am an alum but I no longer hold F-1 or J-1 status, does the rule affect me?

The new rules apply only to the F-1 and J-1 visa classifications. If you are no longer in F-1 or J-1 status and you are not seeking entry to the U.S., an Extension of Stay, OPT, STEM OPT, Academic Training, or a new program in the F or J classification, the new rules should not affect your current immigration status. The rules could impact you later if you seek readmission to the U.S. or any other immigration benefit in F-1 or J-1 status.

Employment

I have a pending OPT application or plan to apply soon. Do I also need to apply for an Extension of Stay?

If you are physically present in the U.S. before September 15, 2026, your I-94 Admit Until Date should indicate D/S. Under the transition provisions, you will not be required to file an Extension of Stay if you timely file Form I-765 for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027.

If you entered the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, and received an I-94 with a fixed AUD, or if you file after March 18, 2027, you must file both an Extension of Stay application and I-765 post-completion OPT or STEM OPT with USCIS.

If my OPT is approved, how long can I stay in the U.S.?

If you qualify for the transition provisions, an approved OPT or STEM OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will allow you to remain in F-1 status through the EAD end date, followed by the legacy 60-day grace period.

If you travel and reenter the U.S. any time on or after September 15, your fixed I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) will extend through the end of your approved OPT or STEM OPT period, followed by a 30-day grace period. Carefully review your Form I-94 or USCIS approval notice to confirm your authorized period of stay under OPT or STEM OPT.

What grace period will apply to me after I complete my program, OPT, or STEM OPT?

If you are physically present in the U.S. on September 15, 2026, you should remain covered by the D/S transition provisions and you should retain the legacy 60-day F-1 grace period. If you travel and reenter the U.S. any time on or after September 15, you will receive a fixed I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) that extends through the end of your employment authorization period plus the new 30-day grace period. D/S will no longer apply if you reenter the U.S. once the new rules are in effect.

If you are not in the U.S. before September 15, 2026, or if you apply for OPT or STEM OPT after March 18, 2027, you will be transitioned to the new fixed AUD under the new rules. You will receive a fixed I-94 AUD based on your authorized employment period plus the new F-1 30-day grace period.

I will apply for OPT or STEM OPT after March 18, 2027. What does this mean?

If you apply for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT after March 18, 2027, you must file both an employment authorization application (Form I-765) and an Extension of Stay application (Form I-539) with USCIS. This requirement applies even if your Form I-94 still shows D/S.

How does the rule affect my H-1B cap-gap eligibility?

The final rule preserves the general H-1B cap-gap policy if you are an eligible F-1 student with a timely filed H-1B change-of-status petition. If you are participating in OPT or STEM OPT, coordinate early with ISS, your employer, and qualified immigration counsel because a fixed Admit Until Date may create additional timing considerations.

Can I start another degree after OPT?

The new rule includes restrictions on beginning a new academic program at the same or a lower educational level after you have completed a program any time on or after September 15, 2026. The new restriction applies only to programs you complete on or after September 15, 2026. If you completed the same or a higher level educational program before September 15, that degree will not be considered once the new rule is in effect and you should be able to begin a new academic program at the same or lower level.

If you completed your UW program before September 15, 2026, and you have questions about starting a new degree program, consult ISS before confirming your enrollment in another program.

Students are allowed to begin a new program at a higher educational level. However, starting September 15, students must timely file an Extension of Stay with USCIS or depart the U.S. and seek readmission with the new I-20 before beginning the new program.

Travel

Can I travel while my OPT application is pending?

Yes, but you should consider how travel may affect your readmission to the U.S. and any pending application:

  • If you reenter the United States before September 15, 2026, you should continue to be admitted for D/S under the current rules.
  • If you reenter the United States on or after September 15, 2026, you should receive an I-94 with a fixed Admit Until Date. If your OPT application is pending, the Admit Until Date should be based on the DSO-recommended OPT end date on your Form I-20, plus a 30-day departure period.

Remember: If you travel internationally and reenter the U.S. after the new rules take effect, you will be admitted under the fixed AUD policy. Consult ISS before traveling if you have questions about traveling while your OPT application is pending.

Can I travel if my OPT application is approved?

Yes, but you should consider how travel may affect your readmission to the U.S.:

  • If you reenter the U.S. before September 15, 2026, and remain eligible for the transition provision, your I-94 should continue to show D/S.
  • If you reenter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, you should receive a new I-94 with a fixed Admit Until Date based on your EAD end date plus a 30-day departure period.

Remember: If you travel internationally and reenter the U.S. after the new rules take effect, you will be admitted under the fixed AUD policy.