On 15 September 2026 an American student visa stops being open-ended. A DHS final rule replaces "duration of status" for F, J and I holders with admission for a fixed period of up to four years, and cuts the window to leave after finishing a course from 60 days to 30. Students already in the US keep four years.
In this guide4 sections
What actually changes on 15 September?#
The rule sets the admission and extension period for F students and J exchange visitors at up to the programme length, capped at four years, and at no more than 240 days for I foreign-media representatives. Where a student previously stayed lawfully for as long as the course ran, the admission now carries an end date, and continuing past it needs an extension of stay filed with USCIS. Biometrics can be required with that application.
Does it hit students already in the US?#
Not on day one. DHS writes in the rule that people in duration-of-status when it takes effect "will have up to 4 years to finish their programs without changing to a date certain while living in the United States", and that only those arriving after 15 September 2026 are subject to all of its provisions. There is also a 60-day implementation period for school officials.
What else does the rule tighten?#
Several things that matter to a typical Indian applicant. A new F-1 must complete the first academic year at the school that issued the Form I-20 before transferring. Students at graduate level or above are barred from changing educational objectives or transferring during a programme unless SEVP authorises an exception. Language-training students are capped at 24 months in total. Falling behind is "generally an unacceptable reason" for an extension.
Could a court still stop it?#
Not yet. University groups sued in Massachusetts on 18 August 2026 to block the rule; on 27 August the government asked for until 4 September 2026 to answer that motion, and no order suspending the rule had appeared on the docket by 31 August 2026. DHS also notes the rule is a major rule subject to congressional review, so the effective date could still move by a separate Federal Register notice. The same fiscal-year pressure runs through the September 2026 Visa Bulletin.
VisaGyan is an independent journal, not affiliated with the US government. Every figure here comes from the final rule as published in the Federal Register on 17 July 2026, checked on 31 August 2026 — confirm your own status with your designated school official.
Frequently asked questions
- What replaces duration of status on 15 September 2026?
- A fixed admission period. The DHS final rule sets the authorised admission and extension period for F and J nonimmigrants at up to the length of the programme but no more than four years, and for I representatives of foreign media at no more than 240 days. After that an extension of stay has to be filed rather than the stay simply continuing.
- Does this change anything for an Indian student already studying in the US?
- Not immediately. DHS states in the rule that those in duration-of-status when it takes effect "will have up to 4 years to finish their programs without changing to a date certain while living in the United States", and that only participants arriving after the effective date are subject to all its provisions.
- What happens to the grace period after finishing a course?
- It halves. The rule cuts the period an F-1 has to prepare to depart after completing a course of study or post-completion practical training from 60 days to 30 days. If a student ends study or training early, the student and dependents must depart or take action to keep lawful status within 30 days of the end date.
- Can a court still stop the rule before 15 September?
- It has not so far. University groups sued in the District of Massachusetts on 18 August 2026 seeking to block it, and on 27 August the government asked for until 4 September 2026 to respond to that motion. As of 31 August 2026 no order suspending the rule had been entered on the docket.
- Does the rule mention Indian students?
- Only through the comments. The published rule records commenters arguing that it "disproportionately harms students from China and India, who already face decades-long green card backlogs". DHS disagreed with that characterisation in its response.