July 20, 2026

The Office of Global Services has published initial guidance and FAQs on the new DHS rule ending duration of status and establishing a fixed period of admission. 

 

July 17, 2026

On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule eliminating "Duration of Status (D/S)" for individuals in F and J nonimmigrant status.  

The rule is final, but it has not yet taken effect. The rule includes a 60-day implementation period with an effective date of September 15, 2026. Our team is carefully reviewing the full text of the final rule and will provide guidance once the assessment is complete.  

All students, scholars, and campus partners will receive direct guidance to their Northeastern email address on how this final rule will impact them and their academic journey.   

Please avoid making any immigration-related decisions based on incomplete information or unofficial sources, and reach out to OGS if you have an urgent or time-sensitive immigration matter.   

Additional Resources 

 

July 14, 2026

DHS's proposed rule on F and J "Duration of Status" remains a proposed rule only and as of July 14th, 2026, nothing has changed. OGS is monitoring the proposed rule closely and will continue to provide updates to support the Northeastern community. Students and scholars with questions should contact OGS directly. 

September 10, 2025

On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would eliminate “Duration of Status (D/S)” for individuals in F and J nonimmigrant status.    

This is a proposed rule only and, at present, nothing has changed. More on this below.   

What is Duration of Status (D/S)?  

Most nonimmigrants are admitted into the U.S. for a specific duration of time, e.g. H-1B visa holders are generally admitted to the U.S. for 3 years from the date of entry. However, those in F and J status have historically been admitted for “D/S”, rather than for a fixed period. This means that students and scholars in F and J status could remain in the U.S. as long as they maintained their academic or research program requirements and had a valid I-20 or DS-2019.   

What would change under the proposal? 

  • The U.S. period of stay for F and J nonimmigrants would change from D/S to a specific end date, not to exceed four years. To extend their stay beyond the fixed period, F and J nonimmigrants would need to file an extension request with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).    
  • Any additional time (for program extensions, transfers, higher academic levels, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, or J-1 Academic Training) would require filing an Extension of Stay application (Form I-539) with USCIS. 
  • Grace periods for F-1 students would be reduced from 60 days to 30 days (matching the current J-1 policy). 

What’s next?  

Because this is a proposed rule, there are no immediate changes for F-1 or J-1 students and scholars or their dependents.  

For the proposed rule to take effect, it would need to be published as an “interim” or “final” rule, following public comment and in accordance with formal rulemaking procedures.    

OGS is monitoring the proposed rule closely and will continue to provide updates to support the Northeastern community. Students and scholars with questions should contact OGS directly.