DHS publishes the final rule ending duration of status, set for September 15 (later postponed by a court)

On July 17 DHS published the final rule that would replace duration of status for F, J and I nonimmigrants with fixed admission periods: up to four years for students, measured from the program start date, with a 30-day departure period and an extension-of-stay application to USCIS to stay longer. It also would have cut the post-completion OPT filing window to 30 days after the program end date. The rule was scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026. A federal court postponed it on September 14 (see that date), so none of these changes are in effect.

Sources: Final rule, 91 FR 44976 (Federal Register) · HenryKnows rule page