Frequently Asked Questions

The final rule goes into effect on September 15, 2026; however, parts of the rule have a delayed implementation date as part of the transition process. These parts mostly focus on the OPT application process. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated in the rule that it may choose to delay the implementation of additional parts of the rule if it cannot implement them in a timely manner. ISSS will share updates about any changes to the implementation of the rule through our email newsletters, this FAQ page, and other resources.

Yes. If you are a current student in the U.S. on September 15, 2026, you will transition to a fixed period of admission. 

Depending on your academic level and how long you have been in the U.S., there may be new restrictions on academic changes. This is particularly true for graduate students. For example, an undergraduate student who came to the U.S. for the first time in the Spring 2026 semester will be impacted by the restrictions on changing majors or transferring to another school. These limits will be in place for the student’s first academic year in the U.S. Graduate students will be impacted by the restrictions on academic changes regardless of how long they have been in the U.S.

Note that while the final rule limits the admission period of F-1 and J-1 students to a maximum of four years, that period is not retroactive. For example, a Ph.D. student who originally came to the U.S. to complete a bachelor’s degree and has been in the U.S. for 5 years already but still has several years left on their I-20 or DS-2019 will not be immediately required to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS).

The University of Minnesota’s fall semester starts before September 15 at all of our system campuses, and students enrolling in the fall term are normally expected to return to the U.S. before the start of classes. 

Alumni on OPT or AT who are traveling may wish to consider returning to the U.S. before September 15. If you are returning to the U.S. on or after September 15, we recommend that you allow for additional time to clear passport control as Customs and Border Protection officers adapt to the changes.  

Please consider these impacts related to traveling internationally:

• F-1 students and alumni who are outside the U.S. or who choose to travel internationally after that date will have a 30-day grace period instead of a 60-day grace period. Additionally, they will need to file for an EOS with an OPT or STEM OPT application starting immediately. 
• F-1 students and alumni in the U.S. on September 15, 2026, and who do not travel internationally after that date, will retain their current 60-day grace period and benefit from transition provisions that exempt them from filing for an EOS with OPT or STEM OPT applications filed before March 18, 2027.

For new students entering before the start of the fall semester, the impact will be the same as for current students. If you are a current student in the U.S. on September 15, 2026, you will transition to a fixed period of admission. There are new restrictions on transferring schools and on academic changes. This is particularly true for graduate students.

No, your I-20 or DS-2019 end date will not change. However, the end date of your visa status may no longer match the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019. It will be extremely important for you to understand the end date of your status. 

Your status end date will depend on if you are in the U.S. on September 15, whether or not you travel outside the U.S. after September 15, and when your I-20 or DS-2019 ends. ISSS will communicate additional information about how to determine your status end date.

The new rule mentions two ways to extend F or J status: an I-539 application to USCIS, or travel and re-entry with an extended document (DS-2019/I-20) and a valid visa. Which one is better is a strategic decision that you may wish to discuss with an immigration attorney. There are pros and cons to both options that may depend on government agency processing times, costs, whether or not you have a valid visa, whether your country is on a travel ban, and other factors.

The final rule goes into effect on September 15, 2026; however, parts of the rule have a delayed implementation date as part of the transition process. These parts mostly focus on the OPT application process. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated in the rule that it may choose to delay the implementation of additional parts of the rule if it cannot implement them in a timely manner. ISSS will share updates about any changes to the implementation of the rule through our email newsletters, this FAQ page, and other resources.

No. New documents will not be automatically issued.

Your I-94 admission record will only if you travel and re-enter the U.S., which is the same as before the new rule.

Yes. ISSS recommends that any J-1 Scholar with a program end date that is expiring soon should apply for an extension with ISSS before September 15, 2026 (ideally by September 1 to allow for ISSS processing times). Discuss your situation with your department now. If you know that additional time is needed to complete your J-1 program objectives, and are able to document funding, you should apply right away. Extending your program now, before the new rule takes effect, will avoid additional costs and processes associated with the new rule.

You may still travel internationally (with travel authorization from ISSS), but depending on whether you re-enter the U.S. before or after September 15, 2026, different rules will apply.

No, your I-20 or DS-2019 end date will not change; however, the end date of your visa status may no longer match the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019. It will be extremely important for you to understand the end date of your status. 

Your status end date will depend on if you are in the U.S. on September 15, whether or not you travel outside the U.S. after September 15, and when your I-20 or DS-2019 ends. ISSS will communicate additional information about how to determine your status end date.

The changes in the rule are not retroactive, but the rule may have a future impact on you. A new 4-year limit for Research Scholars and Professors will begin on September 15, 2026. If your DS-2019 program end date is later than October 15, 2030, your new Admit Until Date will be October 15, 2030, under the new rule.

ISSS along with campus partners and University teams are carefully reviewing the published rule to provide clear guidance and support. ISSS has offered the following specific support so far: 

• ISSS communicated with all international students and scholars to inform them of the new rule and offer support, and will continue to do so through this website and our e-newsletters as new information is available. 
• The new Duration of Status Information Hub on the ISSS website will provide regular updates for international students and scholars and the University community that supports them. 
• ISSS is hosting webinars for international students and scholars, advisors, and others to explain the implications of the new rule.

It’s important to recognize and acknowledge that this will likely be an uncertain and stressful time for international students and scholars. One of the most important actions you can take during this time of uncertainty is providing students and scholars with accurate information, thoughtful support, and clear pathways to experts who can best assist them. Continue to show our students and scholars compassion, professionalism, and care. 

Here are recommended practices when questions about immigration status arise: 

• Rely on the expertise of our international services teams: Immigration regulations have legal implications, are highly technical, and can change quickly. ISSS staff (and those in another campus’s international student office) have the specialized training and institutional authority to advise students and scholars on visa and immigration matters and refer them to other trusted resources. 
• Refer, don’t interpret: If a student shares concerns about their visa or immigration status, one of the most supportive responses you can offer is to refer them warmly and directly to ISSS (or another campus’s international student office). While it is natural to want to help, avoiding personal interpretations of immigration regulations helps ensure students receive accurate guidance from experts tailored to their individual circumstances. By combining your day-to-day support with the expertise of our ISSS staff, we can help students and scholars receive the guidance, respect, and resources they need to succeed. 
• Respect student agency: Our students are best positioned to decide what personal information they wish to share and when. We can support them without expecting them to disclose details about their immigration status.

ISSS will continue to provide updates through this website and through the Weekly Update, OPT Update, and Scholar Update newsletters. Interested faculty and staff can sign up to receive copies of the newsletters sent to students and scholars.

If you are interested in sharing your concerns about the new rule and the impact on the University and our students and scholars, the professional organization NAFSA: Association of International Educators is providing guidance on reaching out to elected officials.