US Student Visa: The "No Expiration Date" Era Ends September 15, 2026
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If you're on an F-1 student visa, or planning to be, this one matters.
DHS published a final rule on July 17, 2026 eliminating "Duration of Status" (D/S) for F-1 students. It takes effect September 15, 2026.
What D/S meant
Your I-94 said "D/S" instead of a date. As long as you maintained student status, you could stay. No extension filings. Ever.
What changes
Fixed admission period: up to the program end date on your I-20, capped at 4 years
Plus 30 days for departure preparation
Post-completion grace period: 60 days to 30 days
Program extensions now require Form I-539 filed with USCIS by the student, not just an I-20 extension by the school
Undergrads: no transfers or major changes in the first year
Grad students: no major changes mid-program as a general rule
English language programs (ESL): 24 months aggregate limit
If you're already in the US
There's a transition provision. Students currently in D/S can stay through the end date on their current I-20, capped at November 14, 2030.
But here's the trap: if you leave and re-enter on or after September 15, 2026, the new rule applies immediately. Check your dates before you book that flight home.
OPT relief
Students in D/S on the effective date who properly file for OPT or STEM OPT by March 18, 2027 don't need a separate extension of stay filing.
Sources
Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/17/2026-14439/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant
DHS Study in the States: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/elimination-of-duration-of-status-quick-facts
USCIS Form I-539: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539
Check your I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/
Full breakdown with a timeline chart and a case-by-case table (in Japanese) here: https://cebugo.jp/blog/f1-visa-ds-elimination-2026/
