Updated August 2026
If you are studying English in the United States, applying for an F-1 student visa, transferring to another school, or planning to continue into a degree program, it is important to understand recent changes affecting F-1 students.
For many years, most F-1 students entering the United States were admitted for Duration of Status, commonly shown as D/S on the student’s Form I-94. This allowed students to remain in the United States for the duration of their approved educational activities, provided that they continued to maintain valid F-1 status.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has now issued a final rule replacing D/S with a fixed period of admission for F-1 students. The rule is currently scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. Because the rule is subject to congressional review, students should continue checking for official announcements in case the effective date changes.
Understanding the difference between an F-1 visa, F-1 status, SEVIS record, Form I-20, and Form I-94 will become more important under the new system.
What Is Duration of Status (D/S)?
Duration of Status, or D/S, traditionally allowed an F-1 student to remain in the United States for the duration of the student’s academic program instead of receiving a specific departure date.
Under the D/S system, a student’s authorized stay was connected to continuing to maintain F-1 status. Students were generally permitted to remain in the United States while pursuing a full course of study or participating in authorized practical training, followed by an authorized departure period.
To maintain F-1 status, students must continue to:
- Meet required enrollment requirements
- Keep their SEVIS record in Active status
- Make normal progress in their academic program
- Follow employment authorization rules
- Keep their immigration documents updated
- Follow all other applicable F-1 requirements
What Is Form I-94?
[Insert sample image of Form I-94 here]
Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, is the official record of a person’s admission to the United States. It is generally issued electronically by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when a traveler enters the country.
The Form I-94 includes important information such as:
- The person’s admission classification, such as F-1
- The date of entry
- The authorized period of admission
- Either a specific “admit until” date or, under the previous system, D/S
Students can normally retrieve their electronic I-94 through the official CBP I-94 website. They should review the record after every entry into the United States and immediately report any possible error to their DSO.
F-1 Visa vs. F-1 Status: What Is the Difference?
An F-1 visa allows a student to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission as an F-1 student. A visa does not guarantee admission, and the expiration date printed on the visa does not determine how long the student may remain in the United States.
After admission, the student’s Form I-94 is the official record showing the student’s authorized period of admission. Maintaining F-1 status means continuing to follow all F-1 requirements after entering the country.
A student may have an expired F-1 visa while remaining lawfully in the United States. However, the student may need a valid visa to return after international travel, depending on the circumstances.
What Is Changing on September 15, 2026?
Beginning on the rule’s effective date, F-1 students who enter or reenter the United States will receive an “admit until” date on their Form I-94 instead of D/S.
The authorized admission period will correspond to the program end date listed on the student’s Form I-20, not to exceed four years. English-language training will be limited to two years.
Receiving a future date on the Form I-94 does not mean that a student may stop studying or disregard F-1 requirements. A student must continue maintaining F-1 status throughout the entire period of admission.
What About Current F-1 Students Who Already Have D/S?
Students who are physically present in the United States on September 15, 2026, who were admitted for D/S, and who are properly maintaining F-1 status will generally be covered by a transition provision.
These students may generally remain in the United States through the program end date shown on the Form I-20 that is valid on September 15, 2026, subject to a maximum transition period of four years from that date. Special provisions apply to students with authorized practical training or employment authorization. Transition students generally retain the existing 60-day departure period following completion.
Current students do not generally need to have an existing D/S Form I-94 corrected immediately. However, they must continue maintaining F-1 status.
International Travel During the Transition Period
International travel can change the student’s admission record.
A student covered by the transition provision who leaves the United States after the rule takes effect and then returns will generally receive a new fixed-period admission and a Form I-94 with a specific expiration date. Students should speak with their DSO before making international travel plans.
Special 24-Month Limit for English-Language Students
The final rule creates a particularly important limit for students enrolled in English-language training programs.
Under the new system, an F-1 student whose course of study is English-language training will generally be limited to an aggregate maximum admission period of 24 months, plus an additional 30-day period to depart or otherwise maintain lawful status. The 24-month calculation includes school breaks and annual vacation periods.
English-language programs completed before the rule’s effective date generally will not count toward the new 24-month limit. Students already present in the United States with D/S on the effective date may qualify for the transition provision and may generally continue through the applicable Form I-20 program end date, subject to the four-year transition maximum.
The federal 24-month immigration limit should not be confused with the length of an individual Language Systems course or level. For example, each level in Language Systems’ four-level Integrated Skills ESL program is organized as a 24-week sequence consisting of Term A and Term B.
Because a student’s previous English-language study and immigration history may affect the calculation, students should ask their DSO to review their individual record.
How Will the New Rule Affect Form I-20?
Form I-20 will continue to be one of the most important documents for an F-1 student. It contains information about the student’s:
- School
- Educational program
- Program start date
- Program end date
- SEVIS identification number
- Financial information
- Authorized training, when applicable
Under the previous D/S system, a DSO could generally extend an eligible student’s program end date in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I-20 when the student needed additional time.
Under the new fixed-period system, an updated Form I-20 by itself may not extend the student’s authorized admission period. A student who needs to remain beyond the period authorized on the Form I-94 may also need to apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension of stay.
The DSO may recommend a program extension and issue an updated Form I-20, but USCIS decides whether to approve the student’s extension of stay.
Students should contact their DSO well before either the Form I-20 program end date or the Form I-94 expiration date. They should not wait until the last day to begin the process.
When May an Extension of Stay Be Available?
USCIS may grant an extension to an F-1 student who has maintained lawful status, is currently pursuing a full course of study, and has an acceptable reason for needing additional time.
Possible qualifying reasons may include:
- A compelling academic reason
- A documented serious illness or medical condition
- Circumstances outside the student’s control, such as a natural disaster, national health crisis, or school closure
Academic probation, suspension, or a student’s repeated inability or unwillingness to complete the program will generally not be considered acceptable reasons for an extension.
An extension application may require:
- An updated and properly endorsed Form I-20
- Evidence of sufficient financial support
- The required USCIS application and filing fee
- Biometrics, when required
- Evidence supporting the reason for the extension
Students should speak with their DSO before requesting an extension.
What Is the New Departure Period?
For students admitted under the new fixed-period system, the period normally provided after completing a course of study or authorized practical training will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
During this period, the student must prepare to depart the United States or take appropriate action to maintain lawful status.
If a student completes or ends a program earlier than the original program end date, the 30-day period generally begins from the student’s actual completion or end date. It does not necessarily continue until the original date printed on the Form I-94.
A student who receives authorization from the DSO to withdraw from classes generally has 15 days to depart. A student who fails to maintain a full course of study or otherwise violates F-1 status is not entitled to an additional departure period and may be required to leave immediately.
Students covered by the D/S transition provision are treated differently and generally retain the previous 60-day departure period.
How Long May Degree Students Be Admitted?
Students in bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and other academic programs will generally receive an admission period connected to the program end date on the Form I-20, but the initial admission period may not exceed four years.
A student enrolled in a program lasting longer than four years may need to apply for an extension of stay before the authorized period expires.
The four-year maximum does not guarantee that every student will receive four years. The admission period will depend on the student’s Form I-20, program information, and admission determination.
Are School Transfer Rules Also Changing?
Yes. The final rule also includes changes affecting school transfers, changes of major or educational level, and beginning another program.
Under the published rule:
- An F-1 student below the graduate level generally may not transfer schools or change educational objectives during the first academic year, unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
- A graduate-level student generally may not change educational objectives during the program and may not transfer during the program unless SEVP authorizes an exception for extenuating circumstances.
- A student who completes a program after September 15, 2026, generally may begin another F-1 program only at a higher educational level, rather than at the same or a lower level.
However, DHS has reserved the authority to delay or suspend implementation of these transfer and educational-objective provisions. Students should therefore check the latest official guidance and speak with the DSO before requesting a transfer or program change.
What Should F-1 Students Do?
F-1 students should:
✓ Check their Form I-94 after every entry into the United States
✓ Know whether the Form I-94 shows D/S or a specific expiration date
✓ Keep their SEVIS record in Active status
✓ Maintain the required course load and attendance
✓ Keep their Form I-20 and passport updated
✓ Follow all employment authorization rules
✓ Speak with their DSO before traveling internationally
✓ Contact their DSO before transferring or changing programs
✓ Begin any extension process well before the applicable deadline
✓ Keep copies of immigration and academic documents
Under the fixed-period system, students must carefully monitor both the Form I-20 program end date and the Form I-94 admit-until date.
Why Maintaining F-1 Status Is More Important Than Ever
A future expiration date on the Form I-94 does not protect a student who violates F-1 requirements before that date.
A student may fail to maintain status by:
- Dropping below the required course load without prior authorization
- Stopping attendance
- Working without authorization
- Failing to make required academic progress
- Remaining after the authorized period has ended
- Failing to complete a required extension, transfer, or program update
Status violations can create serious immigration consequences and may affect future visa applications, admission to the United States, changes of status, transfers, employment authorization, or other immigration benefits.
Planning Your Studies in the United States
Whether you are applying for an F-1 visa, beginning an English-language program, transferring schools, or preparing to enter a degree program, careful planning is essential.
At Language Systems International, our admissions and DSO teams can assist students with school-related procedures involving:
- Form I-20 issuance
- SEVIS transfers
- Enrollment requirements
- Program dates
- Academic program planning
- Updates to the student’s Language Systems SEVIS record
School staff can explain Language Systems procedures and provide official educational information. However, the school cannot provide legal advice or guarantee that USCIS, CBP, the Department of State, or another government agency will approve an application, visa, admission, or immigration benefit.
Final Thoughts
The end of Duration of Status represents an important change for international students, especially students enrolled in English-language programs.
Students will need to pay close attention to:
- Form I-94 expiration dates
- Form I-20 program dates
- The new 24-month English-language-training limit
- Extension-of-stay requirements
- International travel
- School transfer and program-change restrictions
- The applicable departure period
Language Systems International is closely following official updates so that we can better support our students.
If you have questions about your Language Systems enrollment, Form I-20, or SEVIS record, please visit the Front Desk and ask to speak with your campus DSO. Students with questions involving their individual immigration circumstances should consult a qualified immigration attorney or authorized legal-services provider.
Important Notice: This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice. Immigration rules, effective dates, procedures, and government guidance may change. Students should consult their DSO and, when appropriate, a qualified immigration attorney regarding their individual circumstances.
