Close-up of hands typing on a laptop keyboard. The person is wearing a green sweatshirt. Her nails are painted teal and her smartphone is propped up against the laptop screen.

Duration of Status Updates

Check Back Soon for Upcoming Zoom Webinars

Details for August virtual meetings are forthcoming.

Statement and Updates from SISS About the Final Rule

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Changed Duration of Status to Fixed Period of Admission

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final rule that replaces the current duration of status, called "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay (EOS) Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media." The final rule replaces the current duration of status with fixed time periods for the length of stay for F and J visa holders, along with a formalized process for requesting extensions, now overseen by DHS. 

The final rule is set to go into effect on September 15, 2026.  

Below is a brief summary of the rule:

  • Admit Until Date (AUD) will replace Duration of Status (D/S) starting on September 15, 2026: Individuals will be admitted to the U.S. for a fixed period of time, not exceeding four years or the Program End Date (PED) on the I-20 or DS-2019, or whichever is shorter.  
  • Extension of Stay (EOS): Some individuals may be required to apply to USCIS to extend their AUD in order to complete their program. See details in the FAQ section to learn more about how and when this may apply. 
  • Student limitations on transferring and changes to academic objectives: Individuals below the graduate level (undergraduate students) may transfer and change their major only after completing their first year of program. Graduate students are not eligible to change majors during their studies or to transfer to another academic program at any point during their studies.  
  • Student matriculation from a higher degree level to a lower degree level is prohibited: Students may not enroll in the same level of an academic program upon the completion of their program, or to a lower level academic program.  

FAQs for UC Davis International F-1 and J-1 Students and J-1 Scholars

Last updated: July 29, 2026.

This webpage will continue to be updated as additional information becomes available. 

Current F & J Students

  • I entered the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status before the new rule goes into effect.  How long can I stay in the U.S., and do I need to request an extension? 
  • Students admitted to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status prior to the effective date of the final rule (September 15, 2026) and who have maintained status do not need to file an Extension Of Stay (EOS) request. 

    F-1 students currently in the United States admitted under duration of status may remain in the United States without applying for an EOS up to the Program End Date (PED) on their I-20 or the end of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) STEM OPT extension that is valid on the final rule’s effective date, not to exceed November 14, 2030. This is four years, plus a 60-day grace period.

    J-1 students currently in the United States admitted under duration of status may remain in the United States without applying for an EOS up to the PED on their DS-2019 or the end of their post-completion academic training that is valid on the final rule’s effective date, not to exceed October 15, 2030. This is four years, plus a 30-day grace period.
  • If I leave the U.S. and return after the effective date of the Final Rule, will I be subject to the new fixed date system established by the rule? 
  • Yes, current students may continue to travel; however, if returning to the U.S. on or after Sept. 15, 2026, students may be admitted with a new fixed period of admission, which is the Program End Date (PED) on their I-20 or DS-2019 up to a maximum of four years, plus a 30-day departure period for both F and J students and dependents.
  • I’m a current student outside the U.S. during summer. Should I return before the effective date of September 15, 2026?
  • Yes, we strongly recommend returning before the effective date (September 15, 2026) to retain D/S and a 60-day grace period.
  • I am a current F-1 student and want to file for OPT or STEM OPT. How does the final rule impact me?
  • Current F-1 students admitted for duration of status who have been in the United States when the final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, and who file a timely OPT or STEM OPT application by March 18, 2027, do not need to file a separate application for an Extension of Stay (EOS) and will maintain a 60-day grace period post-OPT and STEM OPT.

    Current F-1 students who travel before filing for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT and after the effective date of September 15, 2026, may be readmitted into the United States with a fixed period of admission and will have to file both an EOS application and an application for OPT or STEM OPT.
     
  • I am a current F-1 student eligible for a cap-gap extension. Do I have to file an extension?
  • Current F-1 students who are beneficiaries of a timely filed cap-subject H-1B petition and who are eligible for a “cap-gap” extension do not need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) and may remain in the United States in F-1 status until the approval of the H-1B petition or April 1 of the fiscal year for which H-1B status is being requested, whichever comes first.
  • What are valid reasons for getting an extension approved by USCIS?

  • Under the current rule, your SISS advisor, in conjunction with your academic college or department, can determine if there are justifiable reasons for a program extension. 

    Here are some examples USCIS may consider to determine if a student is eligible for an extension because a student needs more time to complete degree: 
    - Academic reasons related to research
    - Student had a medical reason RCL
    - Delays due to a natural disaster

    USCIS processing of an Extension of Stay (EOS) application includes biometric collection and social media screening that may impact the outcome of your application.

  • I am completing my program in Summer or Fall, and I can only apply for OPT after the final rule. Do I need to apply for an Extension Of Stay (EOS) with USCIS when I apply for OPT? 
  • If you travel after September 15, 2026, you will be given a fixed period of stay on your I-94. You will need to file an Extension Of Stay (EOS) with your OPT application.

    If you have been in the United States when the final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, and you file a timely OPT or STEM OPT application by March 18, 2027, you only need to apply for OPT.
  • I currently have an I-20 for my Ph.D. program that goes until May of 2030. Will my I-94 admit until date change? 
  • If you do not travel outside the U.S., your I-94 admit until date will not change. However, the next time you re-enter the U.S., your I-94 ‘admit until’ date will be updated, not to exceed four years. After re-entry, you must submit the I-94 e-form in iGlobal to update your records. 
  • What is the period of stay for F-2 and J-2 dependents?  
  • The authorized period of stay for F-2 and J-2 dependents cannot exceed the duration of the principal F-1 or J-1 student’s status. If the principal F-1 or J-1 requires an extension, the dependent(s) will also need to file an I-539 (and I-539A for accompanying family members) to extend their stay accordingly.  
  • Can I travel when my EOS is pending with USCIS? What documents should I carry?
  • You should be prepared to show your receipt notice from a timely filed Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can then either give you an admit-until date that matches your previously authorized period of stay OR they can give an admit-until date of your Program End Date (PED), not to exceed four years plus a 30-day grace period. In the latter case, your pending EOS is considered abandoned since you have a new admit-until date.
  • Can I extend my admit-until date by traveling and re-entering the U.S.? How will CBP decide my admit-until date?
  • Students who depart the United States without an approved Extension of Stay (EOS) application and are applying for admission with a valid I-20 or DS-2019 may be admitted for the length of time indicated by the Program End Date (PED) on their I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period.  

Current J Scholars and Professors

  • I am in the U.S., and my current I-94 arrival record lists Duration of Status (D/S) because I entered the U.S. as a J exchange visitor before September 15, 2026. Do I need to do anything right now?
  • No immediate action is required for current J-1 scholars (and J-2 dependents). You will keep D/S until your current DS-2019 end date, not to exceed four years from September 15, 2026. However, if you re-enter the U.S. after travel or apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS on or after September 15, 2026, your new I-94 will list a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD), which is your authorized period of stay. 
  • My current I-94 lists Duration of Status. I am planning to travel abroad to return to the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026. Will I be affected by the final rule? 

  • Yes, your new I-94 will list an Admit Until Date (AUD) based on your DS-2019 expiration date, not to exceed four years, plus the 30-day grace period. 

    Example: DS-2019 program expiration date is December 31, 2027. The I-94 AUD is January 30, 2028.

  • My current I-94 lists Duration of Status, and my host professor wants to extend my J-1 program now. 
  • If the DS-2019 extension request is submitted and processed by SISS in SEVIS before September 15, 2026, the J-1 program and the period of stay for the exchange visitor (including J-2 dependents) are extended.   

    If the DS-2019 is extended in SEVIS on or after September 15, 2026, J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents must also timely apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the EOS is approved, a new I-94 with a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) will be attached to the USCIS approval notice.
  • What is the general extension process when the Final Rule becomes effective? 
  • The maximum program duration for each J-1 scholar category is not changing, and within the maximum duration for the specific category, a J-1 program can still be extended. The host departments will continue to submit DS-2019 extension requests in iGlobal. However, the legal stay is not extended with SISS DS-2019 extension processing. With the effective final rule, J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents must timely apply for an Extension Of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after they receive the extended DS-2019 from SISS.
  • What are the extension process steps? 
  • The extension process will include:
    1. If additional J-1 program time is needed, the host department must submit an iGlobal DS-2019 extension request for the J-1 exchange visitor;
    2. SISS issues the extended DS-2019; 
    3. J-1 exchange visitor (and their J-2 dependents) must timely file a formal Extension of Stay (EOS) Form I-539 application with USCIS, including biometrics and, in some cases, an interview; 
    4. J-1 exchange visitor pays USCIS fees for EOS.

    Timing is critical as the EOS will require USCIS processing. Delays in either the submission of the iGlobal request by the host department and/or of the USCIS application by the exchange visitor can negatively affect the J exchange visitor’s ability to stay in the U.S.
  • I am employed by my host department. Will I need to wait for USCIS Extension of Stay (EOS) approval to continue my work? 
  • A timely filed J-1 EOS application will automatically extend current J-1 program activities/employment for up to 240 days while the application is pending. 
  • What happens if I travel while my Extension of Stay (EOS) is pending with USCIS? 
  • If applicants travel, they will abandon the application and extend their stay by U.S. re-entry, as a new I-94 will be issued with an Admit Until Date (AUD) based on the extended DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period.
  • Is the I-94 arrival record important? 
  • The I-94 is very important. The online I-94 arrival record is created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and is an important legal document. It shows the individual’s immigration status and the granted period of admission. J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors must closely monitor their I-94 AUD after each international travel. It is the J exchange visitors’ responsibility to meet critical deadlines such as their timely departure from the U.S. or submitting a timely application for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS.
  • Does the new rule impact the 30-day grace period?
  • There is no change to the existing 30-day grace period, which is available to J exchange visitors following the completion of their J-1 program. If a J-1 program/DS-2019 is shortened, the 30-day grace period starts following the early program completion date. 

    An overstay can negatively impact immigration status and could result in accrual of unlawful presence.

Incoming F & J Students

  • I am an incoming F-1 or J-1 student, and I will enter the U.S. on or after the effective date of Sept. 15, 2026. How does the final rule impact me?
  • You may be admitted with a Fixed Until Date (FUD), which is based on the length of your program of study listed on the I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period. Students must apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they need additional time to complete their program of study, begin a new program of study or to engage in OPT, STEM OPT or Academic Training (AT).
  • There are so many documents with different end dates. How do I know what each one means? 
  • The guide below offers clarification on required documents with different end dates:
    Passport: Your passport shows your country of citizenship and nationality. The expiration date must always be valid for at least six months in the future. We recommend that you maintain its validity the entire length of your program.
    Visa: Your visa is your entry document. It allows you to present yourself at a port of entry (POE) to the U.S. to request admission in a particular visa classification. You may enter and exit the U.S. multiple times during the dates of validity if you have an “M” designation above the word “entries”. If there is a number, it indicates the number of times you may enter during the dates of validity in that particular visa classification. Your visa does not need to remain valid while in the U.S., and it may expire. That is not a status violation. However, once you leave the U.S., you will need to renew your visa in order to enter again.
    I-20 or DS-2019 program dates: The program dates on the I-20 or DS-2019 indicate the start date of your program and the estimated end date of your program.
    I-94: Shows the designated visa status upon admission to the U.S. as well as the Admit Until Date (AUD), which is the legal length of stay or the completion of program, whichever is shorter. Be sure to report your I-94 information to iGlobal.
  • What do I need to do after arriving on campus?  

  • All incoming students must:
    - Complete the mandatory SISS Check-in and Orientation, including any orientation requirements, found under the Check-in Menu in iGlobal. Most requirements should be submitted prior to arrival to campus. 
    - Attend orientation activities.

    We strongly recommend that students enter before the final rule’s effective date of September 15, 2026. Students who are unable to arrive before September 15, 2026, should carefully review their I-94 to ensure accuracy. Check that your visa category is correct (F or J) and that your Admit Until Date (AUD) is correct (your I-20 or DS-2019 end date or four years from your program start date, whichever is shorter).