# US student visas lose open-ended stay on 15 September: four years, then paperwork

> From 15 September 2026 F and J holders get a fixed admission of up to four years instead of duration of status, and the grace period drops to 30 days.

- Published: 2026-08-31
- Author: VisaGyan (VisaGyan)
- Canonical: https://visagyan.in/us-f1-j1-fixed-term-admission-september-2026-india
- Official sources:
  - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/17/2026-14439/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant
  - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/28/2025-16554/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant
  - https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/74661796/presidents-alliance-on-higher-education-and-immigration-v-united/

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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.

## 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](/us-visa-bulletin-september-2026-india).

*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.*