The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule that, when it becomes effective on September 15, 2026, will eliminate the traditional “Duration of Status” (D/S) policy for F and J visa holders. Previously, D/S allowed you to remain in the United States for as long as you maintained full-time enrollment and complied with F-1 and J-1 student visa regulations.

Under the new regulation, international students and exchange visitors will instead be admitted to the United States for a fixed period of stay up to four years, based on the program length listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019. Students who require additional time to complete their academic programs will no longer be eligible for routine program extensions through institutional processes alone. Instead, they will need to submit formal extension-of-stay applications directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with approval determined by the federal government.

Additionally, the rule prohibits, with limited exceptions, the following:

  • First-Year Program Changes and Transfers. F-1 undergraduate students are prohibited from changing their “educational objectives” or transferring to another U.S. postsecondary institution within their first full academic year. “Educational objectives” are defined as programs, majors, or educational levels.
  • Graduate Program Changes and Transfers. F-1 graduate students are prohibited from changing their “educational objectives” at any time during their program of study. Graduate students may be eligible to transfer schools during their program of study, but only if SEVP approves an exception on a case-by-case basis for “extenuating circumstances.”
  • Same-Level Duplicate Degrees. Students may not transition to a new program that is at the same academic level as a degree they have already commenced or completed (e.g., pursuing a second Bachelor’s or Master’s degree).
  • Downward Degree Moves. Moving from a higher degree level to a lower degree level (e.g., switching from a Ph.D. program to a Master’s) will no longer be permitted.
  • Post-Completion Grace Period Shortened. The grace period for an F-1 student to lawfully remain in the U.S. after completing an academic program is shortened from 60 days to 30 days. The J-1 student or scholar grace period is already 30 days and remains unchanged.

You can read more about this rule change at this Study in the United States and Frequently Asked Questions websites.  Additional resources for students and Exchange Visitors can be found on the International Student Resource webpage.

The USM Office of International Programs continues to be a resource to support your success and well-being. If you have any immediate questions, please feel free to schedule a meeting with Kimberly (ksinc@maine.edu)