Understanding the Fixed Time Period of Admission Rule (Replacing Duration of Status)

This rule impacts:

• F-1 students (including those on post completion OPT and STEM OPT)
• J-1 students (including those on Academic Training)
• J-1 researcher scholars, short-term scholars, professors, specialists and student interns
• F-2 and J-2 dependent family members

The D/S policy previously allowed F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors to stay in the United States for a period of stay indicated on their I-94 admission record as “Duration of Status (D/S)”, provided they complied with F and J immigration regulations in order to maintain their visa status. 

The new rule replaces the "Duration of Status" (D/S) admission with a fixed period of time, up to the length of the program of study listed on the Form I-20 for F students or Form DS-2019 for J students and scholars, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for departure.

The Admit Until Date (AUD) is a nonimmigrant’s maximum period of admission to the United States and is the last day a nonimmigrant is authorized to stay in the United States. F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors cannot remain lawfully in the United States beyond their AUD and must depart the United States or take action to maintain status before their AUD expires.

Yes, the Admit Until Date (AUD) may be different from the Program End Date on the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. Typically:

• For programs less than four years: The AUD is the Program End Date, plus 30 days for departure.
• For programs longer than four years: The AUD is four years from the Program Start Date, plus 30 days for departure.
• For students engaging in optional practical training: The AUD is the employment end date on the Employment Authorization Document, plus 30 days for departure. 

It depends:

• Students and Exchange Visitors traveling to the United States will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) from United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a United States port of entry. The AUD will be on the student’s Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” accessible from the Form I-94 website.
• Students and Exchange Visitors approved for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or change to F-1 status or J-1 status will receive an AUD from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The AUD will be listed on the Form I-94 attached to the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.” 

Students and Exchange Visitors can locate the Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” accessible from the Form I-94 website. Students and Exchange Visitors approved for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or change of status can locate the AUD on the Form I-94 attached to the Form I-797A, “Notice of Action.”

If additional time beyond the Admit Until Date (AUD) is needed to complete the program, to begin a new program of study, or to engage in post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, students must apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) by filing a request to and received by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their I-94 expires. When applying for an EOS with USCIS, students must complete and timely file the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” pay the required fee and provide required biometrics (and possible interview). They will no longer be able to apply for extensions solely through their visa sponsor (ISSO, if sponsored by Columbia). Alternatively, students may depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission from United States Customs and Border Protection upon reentry.

In order to continue beyond the Admit Until Date (AUD), students will eventually need either:

• an Extension of Stay (EOS) approved by USCIS using an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019; or
• a new Admit Until Date (AUD) from United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon re-entry from international travel by showing an extended I-20 or DS-2019 form along with appropriate travel documentation.
   

Those who are citizens of countries subject to United States entry restrictions or travel bans may not be able to reenter the United States. Please reach out to ISSO before making international travel plans, as eligibility to return depends on individual circumstances.

Leaves of absence, medical withdrawals, and other interruptions continue to be governed by the existing F-1 and J-1 regulations and Columbia University policy.

Students anticipating a leave of absence in their academic program should contact ISSO in advance for specific guidance on how the leave will affect your immigration status, your new Admit Until Date (AUD) and your employment eligibility when you return.

F-2 and J-2 dependents will also receive a fixed period of admission which may not exceed the authorized period of admission for the principal F-1 or J-1 student. 

F-2 or J-2 dependents also need to apply for an extension of stay to remain in the United States beyond their Admit Until Date.

There are transition provisions for F-1 or J-1 students who were admitted under D/S on their Form I-94:

Current F-1 or J-1 students admitted under D/S who are present in the United States before September 15, 2026, may remain in the United States without applying for an Extension of Stay (EOS) up to their program end date on their Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students), or post-completion OPT end date, or STEM OPT end date, but not to exceed Nov. 14, 2030 (four years, plus a 60-day departure period). Students must apply for an EOS with USCIS if they wish to remain in the United States beyond this date.

Current F-1 or J-1 students can travel internationally (see the ISSO travel tips), However, if they are re-entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, students will be admitted with a new fixed period of admission (Admit Until Date) including a 30-day grace period.

It depends. F-1 students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change educational levels during their first year of study, unless the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances. F-1 students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change educational levels at any point during their program of study. 

Additionally, F-1 students are prohibited from the following after completion of a program of study:

• Changing to a program of study at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a master’s program to a bachelor’s program); or
• Changing to a program of study at the same educational level (e.g., moving from a bachelor’s program to a bachelor’s program). 

Yes; however, F-1 students must enroll in a new program of study at a higher education level and are prohibited from the following:

• Enrolling in a program of study at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a master’s program to a bachelor’s program).
• Enrolling in a program of study at the same educational level (e.g., moving from a bachelor’s program to a bachelor’s program). 

F-1 students must seek guidance from the international office of the new degree program on matters such as extension of stay (EOS), transfer of F-1 sponsorship, or travel and re-entry.  

It depends. There are restrictions on when and the types of students that can change their major.

F-1 students enrolled in programs below the graduate level cannot change their major during their first year of study, unless the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances. Additionally, F-1 students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot change their major at any point during their program of study. 

Yes. F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors with unexpired visas who choose to travel may also apply for admission with United States Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry and receive a new Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” with a new period of admission based on their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, subject to eligibility and admissibility requirements.  

Those who are citizens of countries subject to United States entry restrictions or travel bans may not be able to reenter the United States. Please reach out to ISSO before making international travel plans, as eligibility to return depends on individual circumstances.

There are transition provisions for J-1 Exchange Visitors who were admitted under D/S on their Form I-94:

Current J-1 Exchange Visitors admitted under D/S who are present in the United States before September 15, 2026, may remain in the United States without applying for an Extension of Stay (EOS) up to their program end date on their Form DS-2019 but not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day departure period. Exchange Visitors must apply for an EOS with USCIS if they wish to remain in the United States beyond this date.

Current J-1 Exchange Visitors can travel internationally (see the ISSO travel tips), However, if they are re-entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, they will be admitted with a new fixed period of admission (Admit Until Date) including a 30-day grace period.

If additional time beyond the Admit Until Date (AUD) is needed to complete the program, Exchange Visitors must apply for an Extension of Status (EOS) by filing a request to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their I-94 expires. When applying for an EOS with USCIS, Exchange Visitor must complete and timely file the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status,” pay the required fee and provide required biometrics (and possible interview). They will no longer be able to apply for extensions solely through their visa sponsor (ISSO, if sponsored by Columbia). Alternatively, J-1 Exchange Visitors may depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission from United States Customs and Border Protection upon reentry.

Similar to F-2 dependents, J-2 dependents will also receive a fixed period of admission which may not exceed the authorized period of admission for the principal J-1 Exchange Visitor. 

J-2 dependents also need to apply for an extension of stay to remain in the United States beyond their Admit Until Date.

Yes. J-1 Exchange Visitors with unexpired visas who choose to travel may also apply for admission from United States Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry and receive a new Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” with a new period of admission based on their updated Form DS-2019, subject to eligibility and admissibility requirements.  

Those who are citizens of countries subject to United States entry restrictions or travel bans may not be able to reenter the United States. Please reach out to ISSO before making international travel plans, as eligibility to return depends on individual circumstances.

Students who timely file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application before their Admit Until Date (AUD) expires, including before the beginning of the 30-day departure period, may continue on-campus employment, off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, and CPT for up to 240 days while the EOS application is pending.

Students who file an EOS during the 30-day departure period must stop all employment while the application is pending and may resume employment only if the extension is approved.

Students in J-1 visa status may continue to participate in Academic Training if they otherwise satisfy Exchange Visitor Program requirements.

If an Extension of Stay (EOS) is filed with USCIS before the program end date on Form DS-2019, Academic Training may continue for up to 240 days while the EOS application is pending.

Applications filed during the 30-day grace period do not receive the 240-day continuation.

If USCIS denies the extension, stop working and contact ISSO immediately for guidance and to discuss options and next steps. 

Students and any accompanying F-2 dependents must depart the United States according to their original Admit Until Date or immediately if that date has passed.

F-1 students with “D/S” who maintain valid status and remain inside the U.S. without any international travel can continue in the PhD program without applying for an EOS until the program end date on Form I‑20, but no later than November 14, 2030 (4 years + 60-day grace).

J-1 students with “D/S” who maintain valid status and stay inside the U.S. without any international travel can continue in the PhD program without applying for an EOS until the program end date on Form DS-2019, but no later than October 14, 2030 (4 years + 30-day grace).

Students arriving on or after September 15, 2026, will be admitted for a fixed period up to the length of the program listed on Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1) not to exceed four years, plus an additional 30-day period for departure. 

If the PhD program extends beyond this fixed “admit until date” (AUD), the student will need to apply for an extension of stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services before the AUD, or depart the United States and obtain a new period of admission from U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon reentry.

Yes. After the rule’s effective date of September 15,2026, changing academic level to a higher degree program will require a new Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1) for your new degree level and applying for an extension of your status in order to remain in the United States. 

Students who choose to travel may also apply for admission with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry and receive a new Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” with a new period of admission based on their updated Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record and supporting documentation, subject to eligibility and admissibility requirements.

Students who need a program extension after the rule’s effective date of September 15, 2026, in order to complete the PhD must apply for an extension of stay (EOS) to remain in the United States. 

These students must demonstrate a compelling academic reason, documented illness or medical condition or circumstances beyond their control.

ISSO will:

• Process a program extension in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
• Recommend an EOS in SEVIS
• Provide an updated Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) 

Students must timely file for an EOS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, providing all supporting documentation, including their Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1).

Compelling reasons for an extension under current USCIS guidance include academic or medical reasons such as a change of research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses. Delays due to academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extensions.

Ultimately, USCIS – not the university – determines whether the regulatory requirements are satisfied.

ISSO can guide students in preparing documentation but cannot guarantee approval, as the adjudication is by USCIS.

Students who timely file an extension of stay (EOS) application before their Admit Until Date (AUD) expires, including before the start of the 30-day departure period, may continue on-campus employment, off-campus employment due to severe economic hardship, and curricular practical training for up to 240 days while the application is pending and while they remain in the United States.

However, students who file an EOS during the 30-day departure period must stop all employment while the EOS is pending and may only resume work if the extension is approved.

Students enrolled in programs at the graduate level or above cannot transfer at any point during their program of study, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.

SEVP has not yet issued guidance on what qualifies for an exception for extenuating circumstances. 

As soon as ISSO receives this guidance, we can provide further details on the required documentation and process involved.

If you are in the U.S. with D/S status and apply for F-1 OPT by March 18, 2027, you do not need to file a Form I-539 extension of stay (EOS) with your OPT application. 

If you apply for F-1 OPT after March 18, 2027, you will need to file Form I-539 extension of stay (EOS) with your OPT application to USCIS. 

If you travel outside the U.S. and reenter after the rule's effective date of September 15, 2026, you will be admitted with a fixed admit until date (AUD) and be required to file Form I-539 extension of stay (EOS) with your application for OPT.

If you are in the U.S. with D/S status and apply for J-1 AT by March 18, 2027, you do not need to file an Form I-539 extension of stay (EOS). However, if you travel outside the U.S. and reenter after the rule's effective date of September 15,2026, you will be required to file Form I-539 extension of stay (EOS) for J-1 Academic Training.