Duration of Status
The U.S. government has proposed significant changes to Duration of Status. Follow the updates here.
Current Status of Proposal
No change at this time.
The proposed rule is not yet in effect. OMB/OIRA completed its review and returned the final rule to DHS for eventual publication in the Federal Register.
Learn about D/S & the Proposed Changes
What is Duration of Status?
D/S means your entry to the U.S. is tied to maintaining status, not one fixed date.
When you enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student, your Form I-94 should list your Admit Until Date as D/S, which stands for Duration of Status.
Under this current policy, you may remain in the United States as long as you:
- maintain proper enrollment;
- make progress towards your academic program; and
- work only with the proper authorization.
This policy provides students the flexibility needed to successfully navigate their academic journeys.
Example of Current I-94
Your I-94 should show D/S instead of a specific end date.
Proposed Changes to Duration of Status
The U.S. government has proposed significant changes to the duration of status policy.
The U.S. government announced proposed changes to the Duration of Status rule. Nothing has changed for F-1 or J-1 students at this time. Once the final rule is published, ISS will review the changes and provide updated guidance for students, dependents, and campus partners.
If finalized as proposed, the rule may:
- Replace D/S on the I-94 with a specific end date.
- Limit admission to the U.S. until the program end date on the I-20 or DS-2019, up to a maximum of four years.
- Require students to apply directly to USCIS for an Extension of Stay.
- Reduce the F-1 grace period from 60 days to 30 days.
- Create additional restrictions for changing schools or academic programs.
- Limit when students may begin another program at the same or lower degree level.
D/S Rulemaking Timeline
What has happened so far
-
Proposed rule published
DHS proposed replacing Duration of Status with fixed admission periods.
-
Public comment period closed
The public comment period ended, and DHS began reviewing submitted comments.
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Final rule submitted to OMB
DHS completed its review of comments and submitted the final rule to OMB/OIRA for review.
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OMB review completed
OMB/OIRA completed its review and returned the final rule to DHS for eventual publication in the Federal Register.
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No final rule in effect
The final rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register. D/S remains current guidance for F-1 and J-1 students.
What’s next
Expected timeline after the final rule is published
- Step 1
Final rule is published
The final rule is published in the Federal Register. This is when the official text becomes available for review.
- Step 2
ISS reviews final rule
ISS reviews the final rule to understand the impact for F-1 and J-1 students, dependents, and campus partners. Website information may be out of date during this review period.
- Step 3
ISS communicates initial guidance to students
ISS shares its understanding of the final rule and communicates important updates to students.
- Step 4
ISS updates website and resources
ISS works to update website information, advising materials, and other resources to reflect the final rule.
- Step 5
Final rule takes effect
The final rule is expected to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Current guidance
Nothing has changed for F-1 or J-1 students at this time.
Continue following current immigration requirements and ISS processes until ISS provides updated guidance. The final rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register.
Academic processes that may be affected
Some academic and immigration-related processes may change.
If the final rule is published as proposed, students may need to pay closer attention to timelines connected to their academic program and immigration documents.
- Program extensions
- I-20 or DS-2019 end date planning
- School transfers
- Change of education level
- Beginning a new program at the same or lower degree level
- Practical training or academic training timelines
- Grace period planning after program completion
What students should do now
Use this time to review your documents and plan ahead.
- Check your I-94 and confirm whether your admission period shows D/S.
- Review the program end date on your I-20 or DS-2019.
- Continue making normal progress in your academic program.
- Plan early and discuss with your department if you may need more time to graduate.
- Do not submit new applications or requests based on the proposed rule.
- Check for ISS updates for final guidance after the rule is published.
Student Planning
How the proposed rule may affect students
| Immigration Process | Current Rule (Duration of Status) | Proposed Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Length of Stay | Your Form I-94 lists D/S (Duration of Status), allowing you to remain in the U.S. as long as you maintain your status and your I-20 or DS-2019 remains valid. | Your I-94 would list a specific Admit Until Date instead of D/S. Your admission period to the U.S. would generally match your I-20 or DS-2019 end date, up to a maximum of four years. |
| Need More Time to Graduate? | ISS can extend your I-20 or DS-2019 if you have an academic or medical reason for needing additional time. No government application or filing fee is required. | Students may need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS, pay a filing fee, and wait for government approval before remaining in the U.S. beyond the I-94 end date. |
| Program Extension Timing | You must request an I-20 or DS-2019 extension before your program end date. | You would likely need to request the extension from ISS and complete a USCIS Extension of Stay application before your admission to the U.S. expires. |
| Grace Period After Graduation (F-1) | F-1 students have a 60-day grace period after completing their program. | The proposed rule would reduce the F-1 grace period to 30 days. |
| Changing Degree Levels | Students may generally begin a higher degree program by obtaining a new I-20 or DS-2019. | Additional restrictions may apply to when and how students can begin a new degree program. |
| Starting Another Program at the Same Degree Level | Generally permitted if all immigration requirements are met. | The proposed rule would prohibit beginning another program at the same degree level in the U.S. |
| Beginning a Lower Degree Level | Generally permitted if all immigration requirements are met. | The proposed rule would prohibit beginning a lower degree-level program in the U.S. |
| Transferring Schools | Eligible students may transfer their SEVIS record through ISS without filing an application with USCIS. | The proposed rule may place additional restrictions on eligibility and timing for school transfers and require an application to USCIS. |
| Changing Majors or Academic Objectives | Generally allowed if the change is appropriate and your immigration record is updated when required. | The proposed rule may limit when students can change academic objectives or pursue new educational goals. |
| Dependents (F-2/J-2) | Dependents remain in status as long as the primary F-1 or J-1 student maintains status. | Dependents’ period of admission to the U.S. would generally be tied to the primary student’s fixed Admit Until period and any approved extensions. |
How to support students
Help students plan early and connect with ISS when immigration questions come up.
- Encourage students to check that their immigration documents are in line with their academic plans.
- Refer immigration-specific questions to ISS.
- Avoid interpreting the proposed rule as current policy.
- Remind students that no final rule is in effect until officially published.
- Contact ISS if you have questions once the proposed changes are finalized.
D/S Explainer
Have a question?
No. The new Duration of Status (D/S) rule has not taken effect. Continue following the current F-1 or J-1 immigration regulations.
The government has not yet published the final rule in the Federal Register. If published, it is expected to take effect approximately 60 days later. ISS will update this page when more information becomes available.
Not necessarily. The government may make changes before publishing the final rule. Some details remain uncertain until the final rule is released.
ISS will update this webpage, send information to your @uw.edu email, and share guidance in ISS newsletters and blog posts. Alumni on post-graduation work authorization will be emailed at their preferred email.
As proposed, changes to Duration of Status may affect how students maintain lawful status before or after applying for employment benefits as well as the application process for these benefits. ISS will provide updated guidance if any changes impact OPT or STEM OPT.
If finalized as proposed, the rule would also affect F-2 and J-2 dependents because their immigration status is tied to the primary F-1 or J-1 student.
Only if you have discussed with your academic department and determined that you need additional time to complete your academic program. Do not request an extension solely because of the proposed rule.
Not necessarily. Continue making academic decisions based on your educational goals. If the final rule changes these processes, ISS will provide updated guidance before those changes take effect.
Immigration information shared on social media or information online or through AI may not always be accurate or apply to your situation. ISS recommends relying on official communications from ISS and government agencies for the most current guidance. If you’re unsure how a change applies to you, contact ISS before making decisions about your immigration status.
