Final Rule Updates for F-1 and J-1 Students

Current Rule and New Rule Comparisons for F-1 and J-1 Students

This section covers Duration of Status (D/S), change to Fixed Admission Until Date (AUD) and the impact on Extension of Stay (EOS) Requests to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for students. 

Changing Academic Degree Programs and/or Levels​

Current

Students may matriculate from a higher degree level to a lower degree level or to another degree at the same level.

For example: 

• Students may enroll in a second Bachelor’s program upon the completion of a first Bachelor’s program. 
• Students may enroll in a second Master’s program upon the completion of a first Master’s program.​
• Students may enroll in a Master’s program upon the completion of a Ph.D. program. 

Scheduled to Take Effect on Sept. 15, 2026

Students may not enroll in the same level of degree program or a lower-level degree program after completing their degree program. 

USCIS further clarifies that students are not allowed to:

• Change to a program of study at a lower educational level (e.g., moving from a Ph.D. program to a Master’s program);
• Change to a program of study at the same educational level (e.g., moving from a Bachelor’s program to another Bachelor’s program).

On-Campus Employment

Current

• F-1 Students: Approved by Academic Departments and UC Davis HR. No additional approval from SISS is needed.
• J-1 Students: SISS grants the approval for Academic Training (AT) on the DS-2019. 

Scheduled to Take Effect on Sept. 15, 2026

• F-1 Students: Approved by Academic Departments and UC Davis HR. No additional approval from SISS is needed. (No change.)
• J-1 Students: SISS grants approval for Academic Training (AT) on the DS-2019. (No change.)

Students may continue to work on campus for up to 240 days after filing a timely Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS, before the start of the 30-day grace period. 

F-1 Employment: Optional Practical Training (OPT)​ or STEM OPT

Current

Allows students to apply for OPT or STEM OPT to USCIS with an I-765 up to 60 days after the program end date with a DSO recommendation for OPT on the I-20​.

Scheduled to Take Effect on March 19, 2027​

Students will have to apply for OPT or STEM OPT to USCIS with an I-765 up to 30 days after the program end date with a DSO recommendation for OPT on the I-20 and an I-539 EOS request.​

Students in the U.S. under the D/S framework have a transition period. These students may apply under the current rule without an EOS until March 18, 2027.​

J1 Employment: Academic Training (AT)

Current

SISS approves and issues the DS-2019.

Scheduled to Take Effect on Sept. 15, 2026

Students must request an AT recommendation on the DS-2019 from SISS and file an I-539 EOS request before their DS-2019 program end date.​

Dependents (F-2 or J-2) 

Current

F and J dependent status was governed by the status of the primary. 

J-2 applies for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Scheduled to Take Effect on Sept. 15, 2026

F and J dependents will also receive a fixed period of admission. The period of admission for dependents may not exceed the authorized period of admission for the principal. Dependents must also apply for an extension of stay to remain in the United States beyond their Admit Until Date.

The 240-day rule does not apply, and J-2 must wait for an issued EAD.

More Information

For more information about D/S and the new rule, including AUD and EOS, return to the Duration of Status Updates webpage.