Proposed Changes to "Duration of Status" in the U.S. for F and J Visa Holders

On August 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule to change the current I-94 Duration of Status (D/S) to instead issue an exact date in which an individual can be in the U.S. lawfuly for F and J nonimmigrants students and scholars.

Duration of Status, or D/S, is the "admit until" date on a traveler's I-94 Arrival/Departure record. For F and J nonimmigrant students and scholars, they can remain in the U.S. for the length listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019. In addition, any period of employment authorization and grace period, as long as they have been maintaining the F or J status. 

Currently, when entering the U.S., the passport stamp and I-94 record will show D/S instead of a particular "admit until" date. This is so that F and J visa holders may remain in the country for their program duration while maintaining their status. Extensions beyond the original program's end date are currently approved by a Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) at the University of Utah.

If the new rule goes into effect, admission to the U.S. for F and J students and scholars will come with a set expiration date: either the program end date or four years, whichever is shorter. Other points that will be updated include:

• Extensions of stay must be approved by USCIS.
• The F-1 grace period will be reduced to 30 days instead of the current 60 days.
• Undergraduate F-1 students would not be allowed to change programs, majors, or educational levels within the first academic year of their programs.
• Graduate F-1 students would not be allowed to change programs at any point during their program of study. 
• New regulations will limit undergraduate and graduate students' flexibility to transfer between U.S. institutions or change "educational objectives" and degree level. 

There are additional points that are not listed here, however, we encourage you to read a detailed summary of the proposed rule from NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

ISSS is closely monitoring the public conversation over this proposed policy change. While it is a proposed rule change, it is not an official change to immigration regulations. If any part of the proposed rule change is adopted, ISSS will communicate to all students and scholars by email. Updates will also be made to this web announcement as information becomes available. 

Any member of the public (as an individual or a group) can comment on the proposed rule change. Comments can be submitted by September 29, 2025. The Federal Register notice contains instructions on submitting comments. 

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Disclaimer

This news is not a substitute for legal advice nor international student advisors are immigration lawyers. For complex situations, we encourage individuals to discuss with an immigration attorney. The International Student and Scholar Services provides a list of immigration attorneys as a resource. The University of Utah does not recommend or endorse any particular immigration attorney(s). Individuals are responsible for selecting and vetting the attorney of their choice for their particular legal needs.