F-1 Regulation Changes

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What’s Changing for F-1 Students?

Last updated: September 8, 2026

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule that changes how F-1 students and F-2 dependents are admitted and maintain lawful status in the United States.

These changes include establishing fixed periods of admission, requiring extension procedures in certain situations, changing procedures related to Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT, and placing restrictions on certain changes to academic programs, transfers, and enrollment in new degree programs.

The information below provides a general overview of these changes. EWU Global Student Services will continue to monitor guidance from DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This page will be updated as additional implementation guidance becomes available.

Students with questions about how these changes may affect their individual circumstances should contact EWU Global Student Services.

Fixed Periods of Legal Stay

Under the final rule, F-1 students and F-2 dependents arriving in the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will generally be admitted for a fixed period of time rather than for Duration of Status (D/S). Your period of admission will generally be based on your program end date, applicable grace period, and the maximum period permitted under the regulations.

Admit Until Date (AUD) and I-94 Arrival Record

Your specific period of admission will be reflected in the Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. After entering the United States, always check your I-94 and carefully monitor your authorized period of stay.

The AUD may become an important deadline if you need to:

  • Depart the United States;
  • Apply for an extension of stay with USCIS;
  • Continue into a new academic program; or
  • Remain in the United States for certain post-completion activities.

Do not assume that the program end date on your Form I-20 automatically determines how long you are permitted to remain in the United States. Your I-94 and individual circumstances determine your authorized period of stay.

Failing to take appropriate action before the applicable admission period expires may result in a violation of status and potentially serious immigration consequences.

When Might I Need to Extend My Stay?

Under the fixed-period admission system, some students may need to take additional action to remain lawfully in the United States, even when they otherwise continue to meet the
requirements of F-1 status.

Situations may include:

  • Needing additional time to complete the current academic program;
  • Needing additional time to begin post-completion OPT or STEM OPT;
  • Starting a new degree program at EWU; or
  • Starting a new degree program at another institution.

The specific requirements will depend on your individual circumstances, including when you entered the United States, whether you were previously admitted for D/S, the information on your I-94, and whether you leave and re-enter the United States.

Contact EWU Global Student Services before taking action.

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How Are F-2 Dependents Affected?

F-2 dependents generally cannot remain in the United States beyond the period authorized for the F-1 student.

If an F-1 student must apply for an extension of stay, the student may also need to include eligible F-2 dependents in the application.

Examples of Situations That May Require Additional Action

  1. The student must request an extension of the program end date from EWU Global Student Services before the current I-20 program end date.
  2. If an updated I-20 is issued, the student may need to take additional immigration action, depending on the student’s current period of admission and I-94.
  3. Depending on the circumstances, the student may need to depart and re-enter the United States or file an application with USCIS to extend their period of stay.
  1. The student must request the appropriate OPT or STEM OPT recommendation from EWU Global Student Services.
  2. The student must file the required employment authorization application with USCIS.
  3. Depending on the student’s immigration circumstances and the applicable transition provisions, the student may also need to file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

Contact EWU Global Student Services before filing because the requirements may differ depending on when the student entered the United States and whether the student has remained in the United States since the rule became effective.

  1. The student must work with EWU Global Student Services or the international student office at the new institution to obtain the appropriate I-20.
  2. Depending on the student’s circumstances, the student may need to depart and re-enter the United States or file Form I-539 with USCIS.
  3. Students should contact EWU Global Student Services before making travel plans or submitting an immigration application.

The following examples are intended as general guidance and do not constitute legal advice. Students should contact EWU Global Student Services before taking action because individual circumstances may differ.

Restrictions on Beginning New Degree Programs

The final rule also establishes restrictions on beginning a new program at the same or a lower educational level after completing a U.S. program.

In general, an F-1 student who completes a program after September 15, 2026, may not be permitted to begin a new program at the same or a lower degree level in F-1 status. Students may generally continue to pursue a program at a higher educational level.

Example: An F-1 student who completes a master’s degree after September 15, 2026, may not be permitted to begin another master’s degree at EWU or another institution in F-1 status.

Programs completed before September 15, 2026, are treated differently under the transition provisions. Students who are considering beginning another degree program should contact EWU Global Student Services before completing their current program or making plans to begin another program.

Restrictions on Changes to Academic Programs and Transfers

F-1 students below the graduate level may be restricted from changing their educational objective, including certain changes to their major or degree level, before completing the first academic year at the school that issued the student’s initial Form I-20.

Additional restrictions may apply to transfers to another institution.

F-1 students at the graduate level may face additional restrictions on changing educational objectives or transferring to another institution.

The final rule establishes additional restrictions on certain changes to an F-1 student’s educational objectives and transfers. Students considering changing their academic program or transferring should contact EWU Global Student Services before making any changes to their academic plans.

OPT and STEM OPT

Under the previous Duration of Status framework, an F-1 student approved for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT generally remained in F-1 status for the period authorized by the applicable regulations.

Under the updated fixed-period framework, approval of OPT or STEM OPT does not necessarily provide the same automatic extension of your period of admission.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to file:

  • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for OPT or STEM OPT; and
  • Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to request an
    extension of the student’s period of stay.

Temporary Exception for Certain Students

DHS has established transition provisions for certain F-1 students who were physically present in the United States under D/S when the updated rules take effect and who timely file for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT. Under these transition provisions, certain eligible students may not be required to file Form I-539 when filing for OPT or STEM OPT.

Eligibility for this exception depends on the student’s individual circumstances, including physical presence in the United States, the student’s I-94 admission notation, and when the OPT or STEM OPT application is filed.

Students should contact EWU Global Student Services before filing Form I-765 or Form I-539 so that they can understand the requirements applicable to their circumstances.

Potential Delay or Changes to Implementation

DHS has indicated that certain provisions may be subject to implementation changes, including potential delays or modifications.

EWU Global Student Services will continue monitoring DHS and SEVP announcements and will update students as additional official guidance becomes available.

Students should rely on current guidance from DHS, USCIS, CBP, SEVP, and EWU Global Student Services rather than information from unofficial sources.

What Should F-1 Students Do Now?

The updated regulations make it especially important for F-1 students to:

  • Keep their Form I-20 accurate and up to date;
  • Maintain full-time enrollment unless authorized for an exception;
  • Monitor their Form I-94 and admission period;
  • Contact EWU Global Student Services before changing their academic program;
  • Contact EWU Global Student Services before transferring to another institution;
  • Contact EWU Global Student Services before beginning a new degree program;
  • Apply for OPT or STEM OPT in a timely manner; and
  • Avoid assuming that a visa expiration date, I-20 end date, or previous D/S admission automatically determines their current authorized period of stay.

EWU Global Student Services will continue to monitor implementation of the final rule and will provide updated guidance as additional information becomes available from federal immigration agencies. Students with complex immigration circumstances may wish to consult a qualified immigration attorney.

If you are unsure how the final rule affects you, please contact EWU Global Student Services before taking action. 

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