New US rules change stay for international students

New US immigration rules taking effect on September 15 will change how international students are admitted and how long they can remain in the country, requiring students to keep closer track of their authorised stay.

Under the new system, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ending the longstanding “duration of status” arrangement for F-1 students and introducing fixed periods of admission.

F-1 students will generally be admitted for the duration of the academic programme stated on their Form I-20, subject to a maximum period of four years. They will also have a 30-day period to enter the United States before their programme begins and another 30 days to leave after completing their programme or authorised post-completion training.

Students who require additional time to complete their studies or continue with Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT will need to take further immigration steps. Depending on their circumstances, they may apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension of stay or leave the country and seek a new admission period when they return.

Students seeking an extension are advised to first consult their university’s designated school official. After receiving the required recommendation through an updated Form I-20, they can submit Form I-539 to USCIS.

Existing students will not face an immediate deadline

The new rules do not mean that all international students currently studying in the US must submit a new application or leave the country on September 15.

Students already holding F-1 status under the existing duration-of-status system on that date can generally continue their stay until the applicable programme or OPT/STEM OPT end date, subject to the transition provisions. The transition arrangements generally run until November 14, 2030.

However, international travel could affect students covered by the old system. F-1 students who leave the United States after September 15 may be readmitted under the new fixed-period system.

Students planning to travel abroad have therefore been advised to consult their designated school officials before leaving the country and to carefully review the immigration implications of their trip.

Restrictions on academic changes

The new system also introduces additional conditions on changes to an F-1 student’s academic plans.

Undergraduate students will generally be restricted from changing their educational level or major during the first year of a programme unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Graduate students will face additional restrictions concerning changes to educational levels, academic fields and transfers between institutions.

Another significant change is the reduction of the post-study departure period. Students covered by the new system will generally receive 30 days to depart after completing their programme or post-completion OPT/STEM OPT, compared with the previous 60-day period.

Changes to immigration forms

The new rules also affect immigration paperwork. Students submitting Form I-539 for an extension or change of nonimmigrant status, or Form I-765 for employment authorisation, will be required to use the latest editions specified by USCIS from September 15.

USCIS will not provide a grace period for applicants who continue using outdated editions, making it important for students to check the edition date before submitting their applications.

Universities issue travel warnings

Several major US universities have issued guidance to international students ahead of the change. Institutions including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Cornell and Stanford have urged students to review their immigration records and seek advice from their international offices before making travel or status-related decisions.

Yale has advised students already in the US under the old duration-of-status arrangement that they generally do not need to take immediate action on September 15. However, students returning from international travel after the new system takes effect may receive a new Form I-94 containing a specific “admit until” date.

Students have been encouraged to check their I-94 after every international trip to ensure that their authorised period of stay is correctly recorded.

Harvard has similarly warned students that international travel after September 15 could affect future OPT plans and applications for extensions of stay. Its international office has advised students to understand the potential consequences before travelling.

Columbia and Cornell have also provided students with guidance on the transition arrangements, while Stanford has noted that F-1 and J-1 students will no longer be admitted under the previous “duration of status” notation once the new system takes effect.

The key point for international students is that September 15 is not a universal deadline to leave the United States or file a new application. Instead, it marks the start of a new admission framework under which students will need to monitor specific authorised-stay dates and take action if they require additional time.

Changes also affect J-1 and I visa holders

The DHS changes extend beyond F-1 students. The government is also ending the duration-of-status system for J-1 exchange visitors and certain I visa holders, including representatives of foreign media organisations.

J-1 participants who need additional time will generally have to apply for an extension, while the admission period for I visa representatives will be linked to the duration of their authorised media assignment.

The new system does not broadly apply to several other major nonimmigrant categories, including H-1B, L-1, O-1 and B-1/B-2 visas, which already operate under fixed periods of admission.