For most college students, the approaching fall means new classes, new professors, and a renewed promise that this will finally be the semester they stay caught up on their reading. For thousands of international students, however, this September could also bring something far less familiar: an entirely new set of immigration rules.
Beginning September 15, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to replace the long-standing “duration of status” (D/S) system with a fixed period of admission for most F-1 students entering the United States.
What’s Changing?
Under the current system, students admitted with D/S can remain in the U.S. if they continue their studies and comply with immigration rules. Under the new rule, students whose programs extend beyond their admission period must file an extension request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rather than simply updating their records through their school. Instead of remaining in the U.S. if they maintain their student status, students will generally be admitted until the end date listed on their Form I-20, up to a maximum of four years. The rule also shortens the grace period after completing a program from 60 days to 30 days, giving students less time to transfer schools, change status, or prepare to leave the country.
What About Current Students?
Students who were admitted to the U.S. before September 15, 2026, under the current duration-of-status system generally remain under those admission rules as long as they continue maintaining their status. However, students who leave the U.S. and re-enter on or after September 15 will typically be admitted under the new system instead. Rather than receiving a “D/S” notation on their I-94, they will receive a specific expiration date. For that reason, many universities are encouraging international students to carefully consider travel plans this fall and consult their international student office before leaving the country.
CPT Changes
One of the most talked-about changes involves students who previously enrolled in a second master’s degree after using Optional Practical Training (OPT). In recent years, some students pursued another master’s program to advance their education while remaining eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), including programs offering Day 1 CPT.
The new rule generally requires students completing one academic level to continue to a higher educational level to maintain F-1 status. Instead of students working on double master’s degrees, they will have to earn a PH.D. While Day 1 CPT itself is not prohibited, under the new framework students must pursue a higher level of education than what they have now.
Keep An Eye Out
For decades, international students measured their time in the U.S. by semesters, credit hours, and graduation dates. Beginning this fall, many will also need to keep a closer eye on something less familiar: the expiration date on their immigration status. Whether these rules ultimately take effect as scheduled, or are delayed through congressional action or the courts, one thing is certain: understanding the new requirements before they become reality will be far easier than scrambling to meet them afterward.