{"id":25359,"date":"2026-07-17T14:17:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T14:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/international.northeastern.edu\/ogs\/?p=25359"},"modified":"2026-09-15T18:50:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T18:50:44","slug":"dhs-final-rule-on-f-and-j-duration-of-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/international.northeastern.edu\/ogs\/dhs-final-rule-on-f-and-j-duration-of-status\/","title":{"rendered":"DHS Final Rule on F and J \u201cDuration of Status\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
September 15, 2026<\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\nOn September 14, 2026, a federal court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction postponing the effective date of\u00a0the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (DHS)\u00a0final rule eliminating “Duration of Status (D\/S)”\u00a0and\u00a0establishing\u00a0a fixed period of admission\u00a0for F and J nonimmigrants. The rule\u00a0was originally\u00a0scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a result of the court’s order, the existing D\/S framework\u00a0remains\u00a0in effect. Students, scholars, and alumni may continue to be admitted to the U.S. for Duration of\u00a0Status, and\u00a0may continue to request program extensions (if eligible), changes of major and degree level, and SEVIS transfers under existing regulations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThis is a postponement, not a withdrawal of the rule.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Because the situation\u00a0remains\u00a0subject to ongoing legal and regulatory developments, we will continue to\u00a0monitor\u00a0the\u00a0matter\u00a0and provide updates as\u00a0new information\u00a0becomes available.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nBecause\u00a0the situation\u00a0remains\u00a0fluid, OGS continues to\u00a0advise\u00a0students\u00a0applying for\u00a0Post-Completion OPT to\u00a0comply with\u00a0the 30-day post-graduation application window. This approach\u00a0may help\u00a0avoid\u00a0an interruption\u00a0to your OPT application\u00a0if future court action\u00a0results\u00a0in a short\u00a0regulatory\u00a0implementation timeline.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nPlease avoid making any immigration-related decisions based on incomplete information or unofficial sources, and\u00a0<\/span>reach out to OGS<\/span><\/a>\u00a0if you have an urgent or time-sensitive immigration matter.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n \r\n
July 20, 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\nThe 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.\u00a0<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n
July 17, 2026<\/span><\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\nOn\u202fJuly 17, 2026,\u202fDHS published a\u202ffinal rule<\/a>\u202feliminating “Duration of Status (D\/S)” for individuals in F and J nonimmigrant status.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe rule is final, but it has not yet taken effect.<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span><\/b>The rule includes a<\/span>\u202f<\/span>60-day<\/span>\u202f<\/span>implementation period<\/span>\u202f<\/span>with an<\/span>\u202f<\/span>effective date of<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span><\/b>September 15, 2026<\/span><\/b>.\u202fOur<\/span>\u202f<\/span>team<\/span>\u202f<\/span>is<\/span>\u202f<\/span>carefully reviewing the full text of the final rule<\/span>\u202f<\/span>and<\/span>\u202f<\/span>will<\/span>\u202f<\/span>provide guidance once the assessment\u202fis complete.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAll students, scholars,\u202fand\u202fcampus partners will receive direct guidance\u202fto their Northeastern email address\u202fon how this final rule will\u202fimpact\u202fthem and their academic journey.\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nPlease avoid making any immigration-related decisions based on incomplete information or unofficial sources, and<\/span>\u202f<\/span>reach out to OGS<\/span><\/a>\u202f<\/span>if you have an urgent or time-sensitive immigration matter.<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAdditional Resources<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n