On August 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed rule to change how F-1 and J-1 students, scholars, and their dependents are admitted to the United States and how they may extend their stay.

The proposed rule would eliminate Duration of Status (D/S), which is a policy that allows all F, J and other nonimmigrants to stay lawfully in the U.S. as long as they are maintaining their visa status. The proposed rule would replace D/S with a fixed admission period among other changes.

On July 17, 2026, DSH published the final rule on the Public Register outlining the changes. The final rule will become effective on September 15, 2026.

The PCC International Student Center (ISC) recognizes that these changes are confusing to our students. We will be hosting several town hall meetings, both in person and online, to address these changes, how they will affect PCC students, and answer concerns and questions. View Events for dates. You can also follow our News page for critical updates.

What is changing?

Period of Stay

F-1 visa holders and their dependents entering the United States after September 15, 2026 and on will be admitted for a fixed period of time, also known as “Admit Until Date” (AUD). The AUD will be the date of your I-20’s program end date. The AUD is your authorized period to stay in the United States. To find your AUD, download your I-94 record > “Get Most Recent I-94/I-95”. 

If your I-94 has a date, that will be your “Admit Until Date” (AUD). You may remain in the U.S., study and travel outside of the U.S. until your AUD.

If your I-94 has “D/S”, your “Admit Until Date” (AUD) will be your current I-20’s Program End Date. You may remain in the U.S., study and travel outside of the U.S. until your I-20’s Program End Date.

Extensions of Stay (EOS)

F-1 students who need additional time beyond their Program End Date to complete their studies, to transfer and begin a new program of study, or to participate in post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) must now file for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

EOS will be required by many of our students who are planning to transfer to a 4-year university.

Students can file EOS by submitting Form I-539 to USCIS at least 180 days before their AUD expires.

Grace periods after your program ends (Program End Date)

Students will have a 30-day period to depart the United States after their program ends (the date on your I-20’s Program End Date), transfer to another school of higher level (Bachelor’s degree or higher), apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), or file for a change of status with USCIS.

Transfers

New students starting Spring 2027 and on will be required to remain enrolled at their initial school (the school with which they use the I-20 to enter the United States or for which you used to file a Change of Status application with USCIS) for one academic year before they can transfer to another school unless DHS Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) grants the student an exception for extenuating circumstances. This section applies to students who have not yet completed their educational objective.

Changing Majors or Educational Level

New students starting Spring 2027 and on will be required to remain enrolled in their program of study, or major, and/or their educational level for one academic year before they can change majors or change educational levels, unless DHS Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) grants the student an exception for extenuating circumstances. This applies to students who have not yet completed their educational objective, whether it is a Certificate program or Associate’s degree.

Lateral and reverse matriculation are not permitted

F-1 students who have completed a program in the United States at one educational level may not pursue another program at the same or lower educational level. DHS indicates limited exceptions; future guidance, however, may be provided for certain pathway programs.

For example, if you earned a Bachelor’s degree in the United States and want to apply to PCC, you may not be allowed to apply to PCC. Talk to an ISC Advisor if you have other circumstances. 

Educational Objectives

DHS has also updated the final rule to refer Educational Objectives as a student’s major (such as Psychology or Engineering) or degree level (such as Associate’s or Bachelor’s).

Key Terms

  • Educational Objective: This term is understood as a student’s major or educational level.
  • Form I-94: Your official arrival and departure record to the United States and issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • USCIS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services:
  • EOS or Extension of Stay: 
  • AUD or Admit Until Date: The authorized period of stay that is assigned to a student when they enter the United States.
  • D/S or Duration of Status: This is the current admission policy to the United States for which most F-1, J-1 students, scholars and dependents may stay in the country for as long as they are maintaining status and making normal academic progress.
  • DHS or Department of Homeland Security: The U.S. department that oversees immigration and visa enforcement rules
  • SEVP or Student and Exchange Visitor Program: The U.S. department that oversees and implements F-1 visa student regulations
  • Transition Period: The period for those F and J visa holder who are in the United States before or on the new rule’s effective date of September 15, 2026.

F-1 Students Who Are in the U.S. On or Before the New Rule

F-1 student and their dependents who are in the United States before or on September 15, 2026 may remain in the U.S. up until:

  • Your Program End Date on your most recently issued I-20 or DS-2019, plus a 60-day grace period after your program end date, or,
  • The end date of your post-completion OPT that is valid on the final rule’s effective date and not to exceed November 14, 2030 (4 years plus the 60-day grace period), whichever comes first.

Transferring students: Students who are in the U.S. on or before the new rule goes into effect and who want to start a new program at a university AFTER September 15, 2026 will need to seek an extension of stay. Learn more: Extension of Stay.

Current students who need more time at PCC: Students who need more time to complete their educational objectives at PCC or wish to apply for F-1 post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) must seek an extension of stay. Learn more: Extension of Stay.

Extension of Stay (EOS)

New Petition Process – After September 15, 2026

The following students will need to file for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they wish to remain in the United States:

  • Students who need more time to stay in the United States to complete their educational objective, including students who need more time to finish their degree at PCC or students transferring to a 4-year university for a new educational objective (e.g. Bachelor’s or Master’s).
  • Students who have completed their educational objective and plan to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) after March 18, 2027.
  1. Check your PCC I-20 and find your Program End Date.
  2. Check your most recent I-94 record
    1. If your I-94 says D/S, you are allowed to stay in the U.S. until your PCC I-20’s Program End Date
    2. If your I-94 has a date, you are allowed to stay in the U.S. until the date listed in your I-94
  3. Determine which school you will be enrolled at, 180 days before your Program End Date or before the date listed on your most recent I-94 record.
    1. If you will be enrolled at PCC by then, PCC will help you file your Extension of Stay with USCIS
    2. If you will be enrolled at your new school by then, your new school will help you file your Extension of Stay with USCIS

Students with unexpired visas can also travel and re-enter the United States.

This option may be suitable for students who will be transferring out of PCC to a new school.

  1. Check that your F-1 visa is still valid. If expired, you will need to schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy to renew your F-1 visa
  2. Obtain an Initial I-20 from your new school. Remember to sign your I-20, page 1.
  3. Exit the United States and re-enter with your new school’s I-20

Frequently Asked Questions

Previously, F-1 students and their dependents were admitted into the U.S. for an unspecified period of time to pursue a full course of study or engage in authorized practical training following completion of their studies. This unspecified period of time was referred to as “duration of status.”

Fixed period of admission and study for F-1 students

  • ·       Currently, F-1 students are admitted to the U.S. and can remain in the U.S. as long as it is required by the program, also known as Duration of Status (D/S).
  • Starting September 15, 2026, F-1 students entering or re-entering the United States will be admitted for a fixed period of time. Fixed period of time will be up to the length of your I-20’s program of study, also known as the Admit Until Date (AUD).
  • The AUD date will be determined by your current I-20’s Program End Date. If you exit and re-enter the U.S. after September 15, 2026, your AUD may change and it will be found on your I-94 https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home.
  • Change of Educational Level After Completing Your Studies: Students will not be able to change programs at the same level (lateral move) or go lower once they complete their program of study.
    • Example: You have completed your Associate’s Program at PCC and wish to apply for a new Associate’s Program. You can only apply for another program that is Bachelor’s level or higher.
    • Example: You have completed your Bachelor’s Program at another college in the U.S. and wish to apply for an Associate’s Program at PCC. You can only apply for another program that is higher than Bachelor’s level.
  • Change of Major: Students who wish to change their majors after enrolling in classes at PCC will have to wait one year before they can do so.
    • The AUD date will not change with any changes in your major. If you require more time, you will need to file an EOS with the USCIS
  • Transfer: Students who wish to transfer to another school must first enroll and complete 1 year of study at PCC before they can transfer out.
  • Departure period: After students have completed their program of study or post completion OPT, they have 30 days (instead of 60 days) to:
    • Leave the U.S.
    • Apply to another program of higher level
    • Bridge to another status to legally stay in the U.S.
  • The Admit Until Date (AUD) is the F-1 students’ maximum period of admission to the United States and is the last day a student is authorized to stay in the United States.
  • F-1 students cannot remain lawfully present in the U.S. beyond their AUD and must do something before their AUD expires if they plan to stay in the U.S. This action would include:
    • Departing the United States by your AUD
    • Filing for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with the USCIS.  You can apply for an EOS 180 days (6 months) before your AUD expires.
    • Changing your F-1 status to another visa type or lawful status
These changes will become effective September 15, 2026.
  • Plan early, especially if you have plans to transfer out.
  • Check your PCC I-20 and its Program End Date. If you need additional time to finish your studies, meet with an Academic Counselor and update your Educational Plan. After that, talk to an Educational/International Advisor at the ISC for your next steps.
  • Learn how to download and read your I-94.
  • Check to see if you have a Comprehensive Educational Plan. If you don’t have a Comprehensive Educational Plan, get one from an Academic Counselor.
  • If you are in the U.S. before or on September 15, 2026, and are transferring to another college before September 15, 2026:
    • Your new school would have issued a Transfer Pending I-20 to you.
    • You will be able to remain in the U.S. until the Program End Date listed in your Transfer Pending I-20.
  • If you are in the U.S. before or on September 15, 2026, are not traveling outside of the U.S., and are transferring to another college after September 15, 2026:
    • You may remain in the U.S. up until your PCC I-20’s Program End Date
    • If you will need more time to complete your program at your new school, you will:
      • File for an Extension of Stay with USCIS, OR
      • Exit and re-enter the U.S. with your new school’s I-20
  • In the past, if you reached the end of your program of study (which is the program end date on your PCC I-20), you would request an extension of your I-20 and this would be reviewed by the International Student Center.
  • After September 15, 2026, an extension of stay (EOS) will now need to submitted through form I-539 to the U.S. government’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will need an I-20 recommendation from the International Student Center to submit together with your I-539. Fees to USCIS: $420 to $470+

OR

  • You can also exit and re-enter the United States using a new I-20 from PCC. Make sure you have PCC’s I-20 Extension with an updated Program End Date before you exit and re-enter the United States. Fees: $350 I-20 fee + Travel Costs
  • PCC’s International Student Center will support you with advice and the PCC I-20. Our support, however, is not official legal advice and you are encouraged to contact an immigration lawyer if you need additional legal help.   
  • You can apply for an EOS by filing form I-539 with USCIS 180 days (6 months) before your AUD expires.
  • Be aware that students who file for an EOS within the 30-day departure period may not begin or continue employment (e.g., on-campus employment, off-campus employment, curricular practical training). 
We are still developing this process.
  • This new rule will affect you if you travel outside of the U.S. after September 15, 2026.
  • All students who are present physically in the United States before September 15, 2026 and properly maintaining F-1 status will continue to have D/S (see D/S for more information) up until their PCC’s I-20 Program End Date.
  • If you travel outside the U.S. (Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico are part of the U.S.) any time after September 15, 2026, you will lose your D/S and will now have a fixed admit until date (AUD), which will be listed on your I-94 record.
  • Once you have a fixed AUD, transferring to another school will likely require an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS to allow you to complete your degree at your new school. Check your AUD carefully after you re-enter the U.S. to determine when you should apply for an EOS. See “How can I submit an Extension of Stay (EOS)?”.
    • If you do not wish to apply for an EOS, you can exit the U.S. and re-enter with an Initial I-20 from your new school.