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Duration of Status (D/S) is a notation on the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record that nonimmigrant students and scholars in F-1 or J-1 status are given upon entry to the U.S. The D/S notation means that F-1 and J-1 students and scholars are permitted to remain in the U.S. for as long as they are engaged in their academic program or any authorized F-1 or J-1 employment immediately following their program completion. 

With a D/S notation on the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, students can complete a degree, begin a new degree, transfer to a new program, and apply for post-completion employment authorization without needing to seek formal USCIS extension of their permission to remain in the U.S. before September 15, 2026. 

The change to the D/S rule will give students and scholars a fixed date they are permitted to remain in the U.S. before they need to seek extended permission to stay. Under the new rule, many common procedures that students pursue as they complete an academic program (such as transfer to a new degree program or applying for post-completion employment authorization) will require students to also apply for an Extension of Stay to USCIS to remain in the U.S. and pay the associated filing fees.  

The Admit Until Date (AUD) is the exact calendar date your authorized stay in the United States legally ends. Found on your I-94 record, it is determined by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when you are admitted to the U.S. or if your Extension of Stay is approved by U.S. Citizenship or by Immigration Service (USCIS) officers.

Yes. The Program End Date on an I-20/DS-2019 reflects the expected completion date of a student’s academic or exchange program. The AUD reflects the last date a student is authorized to remain in the U.S. without taking action to extend their stay. 

Yes

Yes, the AUD includes a 30-day grace period for both F and J students. The 30-day race period begins the day after the program completion.

 

F-1 students in their 30-day grace period may: 

•     Prepare to depart the U.S.  
•     Apply for a USCIS Extension of Stay  
•     Change of Education Level to a higher level of study  
•     Transfer to another U.S. institution  
•     Apply for a USCIS Change of Status  
•     Apply for OPT 

J-1 students must act before their 30-day grace period begins to:  

•     Apply for a USCIS Extension of Stay  
•     Change Education Level to a higher level of study  
•     Transfer to another U.S. institution  
•     Apply for a USCIS Change of Status  
•     Apply for post-completion Academic Training 

 

The 30-day grace period is not included in the maximum 4-year duration of lawful stay in the U.S.  

Actions that are allowed during the F-1 30-day grace period:  

• Prepare to depart the U.S. 
• Apply for a USCIS Extension of Stay 
  • Change of Education Level to a higher level of study 
  • Transfer to another U.S. institution 
• Apply for a USCIS Change of Status 
• Apply for post-completion OPT

 

Yes. Travel remains an option and the student’s personal choice. In addition to monitoring end dates on passports, visas, and I-20/DS-2019, F-1 and J-1 students will need to download the newest I-94 record from www.cbp.gov after each entry into the U.S. Students must be aware of their I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD).

Program extensions are possible if the F-1 or J-1 student has an academic necessity to extend past the current I-20/DS-2019 end date. Students should review program extension eligibility requirements before speaking with an academic advisor, program coordinator, or faculty advisor to discuss their academic plan. If more time is required to complete the program past the current I-20/DS-2019 end date.

Before September 15, 2026, IPS may review and approve eligible Program Extensions. After that date, students who require a program extension beyond their current I-20/DS-2019 end date will also need to submit an Extension of Stay application to USCIS.

According to the published rule, acceptable reasons for extending the AUD are limited to: 

• Compelling academic reasons 
• Documented medical illness 
• Circumstances beyond the student’s control 

Before September 15, 2026, a program extension was the process by which F and J students extended their ability to remain in the U.S. This was requested by the student and approved by an IPS advisor.  

On or after September 15, 2026, a program extension will change the I-20 or DS-2019 end date, but it will not extend the Admit Until Date (AUD) found on the I-94. Students will need to submit an EOS application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain an extension of stay. 

Yes. Students will be allowed to continue their studies or research in the United States while they have an EOS application pending if it was submitted in a timely manner.

Submission of an EOS application will be required as part of any optional practical training (OPT) applications filed on or after March 19, 2027. 

If USCIS denies the Extension of Stay request, the F or J applicant will receive written notification of the denial. The denial decision cannot be appealed. Students and any dependents must depart the United States according to their original Admit Until Date or immediately if that date has passed. There is no grace period to depart.  

• If the I-94 admit date has already passed, the F or J nonimmigrant will begin to accrue days of unlawful presence if they remain in the U.S. after receiving a USCIS denial notice. Refer to the glossary section to learn about unlawful presence. 
• If the I-94 is still valid, submitting a new USCIS Extension of Stay application may be an option.  

Depending on the student or scholar’s circumstances, travel to apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S. may be an option.

 

• Undergraduate students will be prohibited from changing their field of study/major within their first year.  

• Graduate students will be prohibited from changing their field of study at any point during their program. 

A change of education level is only possible upon completion of the current academic program of study on your I-20 or DS-2019. Students may only pursue a change of education level at a higher level of study than the degree they earned previously.  

An F-1 student cannot be admitted or matriculate to a degree program at the same education level as a previously earned degree in F-1 status. For example, an F-1 student who earned a master’s degree cannot be admitted or matriculated to a second master’s degree program as an F-1 student.  

• Undergraduate students cannot transfer their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution during their first year of study. A transfer may be allowed after the first year of study.  

• Graduate students cannot transfer their SEVIS record to another U.S. institution before completing the degree requirements of the academic program for which the I-20 was issued.  

Yes, provided that both majors are completed simultaneously. There may be limitations on the timing and eligibility to declare or change a major.  

Yes. For timely filed USCIS Extension of Stay (EOS) applications, there is an automatic 240-day extension of on-campus employment authorization, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Severe Economic Hardship. A timely filed EOS application means that the EOS and filing fee were submitted to USCIS before the I-94 AUD. 

Work authorizations like F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) and J-1 Academic Training (AT) remain benefits of your status. There may be additional steps to consider, such as filing an extension of stay application with OPT or AT applications.   

No. The rule does not modify or remove automatic EOS and employment authorization for F-1 students who are beneficiaries of timely filed H-1B cap-subject petitions. 

If your I-94 currently lists D/S AND you remain in the U.S., you will automatically transition to a fixed end date, which is the end date on your current DS-2019 or four years, whichever is earlier. You will not be given a new I-94 record.

If you re-enter the U.S. after the final rule’s effective date (9/15/2026), you will be subject to the fixed-date framework imposed by this rule. When you enter the U.S., your I-94 record will state the specific admit-until date (AUD), which is the end date listed on your DS-2019 plus 30 days. You cannot work during the 30-day grace period.

Under this new rule, individuals who enter the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026, will be admitted with a specific admit-until date (AUD) that reflects their lawful status expiration date.

Yes, this rule will impact you. If you depart the United States and re-enter the U.S. after September 15, 2026, you will be subject to the fixed-date framework imposed by this rule. Your new I-94 record will list a specific admit-until date and not a D/S

This new regulation does not impact your ability to transfer program sponsors. You should contact your new J-1 program sponsor for further information about the need and timing for filing Form I-539 after your J-1 record has been transferred.

Each J-2 dependent will need to complete the Form I-539A, which is submitted with the J-1’s Form I-539 extension of stay application. If the I-539 and I-539A are submitted together in paper form (not online), only one filing fee is required. Extensions of stay for dependents will not exceed the J-1’s admit until date.

International travel while a pending extension of stay application is not recommended, but is technically allowed. If you have international travel plans, it is generally recommended to extend your admit until the date through travel rather than filing an extension of stay application.

 A few business days

Since the I-539 is a personal application, IPS cannot assist you with the process. However, IPS will provide a guide and FAQs about this process when your extension DS-2019 is issued.

Yes. It is also cheaper to file online if you are the only applicant. If you have dependents, it may be cheaper to file via paper.

Yes, if you have filed your I-539 extension before your program end, you are granted an automatic extension of employment authorization for up to 240 days. [See 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(20).]  If you file the I-539 in the 30 day grace period, you do NOT get a 240 day automatic extension of stay.