U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce revised editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 on September 15, 2026. The new forms reflect changes under the federal rule replacing Duration of Status (D/S) with a fixed period of admission for F and J nonimmigrants. The revised forms are: Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status: Edition dated 09/15/26 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: Edition dated 09/15/26 F and J students and alumni use Form I-539 to extend or…
Author: Justin Mellish
USCIS Revises Policy on RFEs and NOIDs
On August 5, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced updated policy guidance on evidence requirements, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs). The policy is effective immediately as of August 5, 2026 and applies to benefit requests pending or filed on or after that date. Under the updated guidance, USCIS officers have greater discretion to deny an immigration benefit request without first issuing an RFE or NOID if required initial evidence is missing or…
ISS Update on Changes to Duration of Status
On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published to the Federal Register the final rule that will eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 students and replace it with a fixed admit until date (AUD) upon admission to the U.S. The final rule does not take effect until September 15, 2026. We understand this change creates uncertainty and raises many questions about how this new rule will impact our F-1 and J-1 international student…
DHS Publishes Final Rule Replacing Duration of Status
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the final rule that will replace “duration of status” (D/S) with fixed periods of admission for F and J nonimmigrants. The final rule does not take effect until September 15, 2026. Under the current duration of status framework, most F-1 and J-1 students may remain in the U.S. for the time needed to complete their academic program or authorized practical training, provided they continue to meet all immigration requirements. The final…
Understanding “Duration of Status”
The U.S. government has proposed changes that would eliminate the Duration of Status (D/S) rule for F and J students. Nothing has changed at this time and F-1 and J-1 students should continue following the current rules for maintaining status. What does “Duration of Status” mean? Duration of Status, often abbreviated as D/S, means that you are admitted to the U.S. for the duration of your authorized program and related activities as long as you maintain your F-1 or J-1…
Before You Ask AI: Guidance for F and J Students
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming part of everyday life helping us to draft emails, brainstorming ideas, or looking up quick answers. At the University of Washington, new tools like Purple are making AI even more accessible to students. While these tools can be helpful, it’s important to understand their limits especially when it comes to immigration advice. AI Can Be Helpful But It Has Limits AI tools can be a great starting point for general questions. For example, they…
ISS Summer Hours and Services
No two summers look the same. Some students will be enrolled in classes, others will be participating in CPT or Academic Training, traveling home, or preparing to graduate. Whatever your plans, ISS remains available throughout the summer to support you and answer your questions. Connecting with ISS International Student Services is located in 459 Schmitz Hall and is operates Monday–Friday from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Whether you have a quick question, need immigration advising, or want to learn more about ISS…
Understanding Your Vacation Quarter Options
For many students, the summer vacation quarter is an opportunity to rest, travel, work, or focus on personal goals. As an F-1 or J-1 international student, you may have several options for summer quarter, but it’s important to understand the immigration requirements before making plans. Who is eligible for a summer vacation quarter? Most students! You are eligible for the annual vacation quarter if you: Completed three consecutive full-time quarters prior to the vacation quarter Intend to register full-time following…
Update on USCIS Review of Certain Benefit Applications
Most recent update: A U.S. federal judge has declared U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Benefits Hold Policy, Asylum Hold Policy, Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and Country-Specific Factors Policy to be unlawful. The June 5 decision vacates the USCIS policy to halt all benefit requests for applicants from “high-risk” countries subject to an entry ban; the policy affected applications including F-1 Optional Practical Training, changes and extensions of status, and other USCIS-reviewed benefits affecting UW students and scholars. The decision is believed…
Preparing for Possible Changes to Duration of Status (D/S)
You may recall our update last September regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to Duration of Status (D/S) and how the length of stay is managed for F and J students entering the U.S. While no final rule has been announced yet, we expect it to be published soon. At this stage, nothing has changed and current rules and guidance remain in effect. Once the final rule is published, the elimination of D/S could affect how long students…