F-1 Student Visa Rule Changes: What International Students Need to Know
Last week, the Trump Administration issued a new federal regulation limiting the amount of time that student visa-holders can stay in the U.S. The rule goes into effect on September 15, 2026.
How F-1 Student Visa Status Worked Before the New Rule
For international students attending school in the United States under an F-1 student visa, there have long been two time periods governing their stay:
- The visa validity period, which are the dates between which a student can enter the U.S.
- The I-94 validity period, which dictates how long a student can stay in the U.S.
Prior to the new rule, most international students were permitted to stay in the U.S. for the duration of their educational program, plus a 60-day grace period. This was called “duration of status” or D/S. The end date of their stay was dictated by a I-20 form issued by the school listing the end date of their program.
Students were permitted to attend consecutive programs—for example, they could earn a bachelor’s degree and then go on to a master’s program—without leaving the country or having to file any additional paperwork with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They could simply obtain a new I-20 form with a new program end date.
What the New F-1 Student Visa Rule Changes
The new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule eliminates the “duration of status” system.
Fixed I-94 End Dates Replace Duration of Status
Instead, all F-1 students will now be admitted for a fixed I-94 validity period. Their lawful stay in the US cannot be extended just by enrolling in a new program and obtaining a new I-20.
Once the rule takes effect in September, the I-94 validity period for students who are currently in the country under an F-1 visa will end on the program end date listed on their most recent I-20 form.
The New 30-Day Grace Period for F-1 Students
They will have a 30-day grace period to either leave the U.S., apply for an extension, or seek a change of status.
How to Apply for an F-1 Visa Extension
A student whose program ends on May 31, 2027, for example, and hopes to continue further study in the U.S. will need to file an F-1 visa extension application prior to May 31, 2027, ideally several months in advance. The application would have to include:
- An I-20 for the new educational program;
- Proof of financial support; and
- Proof of their intention to return to their home country.
Why an F-1 Extension May Be Denied
For a student whose employer or family member has filed a permanent immigrant petition for them, USCIS may determine that they do not have any intention to return to their home country.
USCIS may use that as a reason to deny an F-1 visa extension application, unless the applicant can demonstrate significant ties to their home country.
USCIS is also less likely to approve an F-1 visa extension application if it is to continue in, for example, an English as a second language (ESOL) program that has been going for several years, as opposed to “leveling up” to study for either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.
Like all of the Trump Administration’s immigration changes, this rule is another way to make it harder for people to immigrate to the United States and to try to force people out of the country during their wait time for permanent residency (i.e., a green card).
What International Students Should Do Before Their Program Ends
If you are an immigrant student hoping to extend your stay beyond your current educational program, it will take careful planning to avoid having to leave the country when your program ends. You will want an experienced advocate by your side as you contemplate the next steps in your educational journey.
Please get in touch if Benach Pitney Reilly Immigration can help you navigate these latest changes to the rules governing student visas.