23 Jul Major changes in Student Visa

The newly finalized Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule, published on July 17, 2026, marks the most comprehensive overhaul of U.S. international student regulations in decades. Taking effect on September 15, 2026, the 553-page regulation completely replaces the traditional “Duration of Status” (D/S) system with a rigid, fixed-date admission policy.

The extensive administrative details, transitional guidelines, and strict limitations dictating how this policy impacts students include the following:
Transition Rules for Current Students

If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa before September 15, 2026, you will not be forced out immediately.

• The 4-Year Transition Cap: You can remain in the country under your existing D/S status until your Form I-20 or DS-2019 program end date, or until your Optional Practical Training (OPT) expires—up to a maximum of 4 years from the rule’s effective date.
• The International Travel Trigger: If you travel outside the U.S. after September 15, 2026, you will be stripped of your D/S status. Upon re-entry, customs officials will process you under the new framework, giving you a fixed expiration date on your Form I-94.
• Early Extension Window: Universities like New York University (NYU) are advising students who already know they will need an extension to apply for a program extension with their campus international office before August 15, 2026, to avoid dealing with the federal government later.
  
  Strict Academic and Level Restrictions
  The final rule significantly curtails the academic freedom previously enjoyed by international students:
• Changing Majors: Undergraduate students are completely barred from changing majors or transferring colleges during their first academic year. Graduate students are prohibited from changing majors or programs at any point during their studies.
• Lowering Education Levels: F-1 students who have completed a degree in the U.S. are legally prohibited from enrolling in another program at the same or a lower academic level (e.g., finishing a Master’s degree and trying to pursue a second Master’s or a Bachelor’s). They can only transition to a higher degree program.
• Disallowed Extension Reasons: Delays caused by academic probation, suspension, or a student’s repeated failure to complete coursework are explicitly no longer accepted as valid reasons for a visa extension. [1]
  
  Impacts on OPT, STEM OPT, and Fees
• The 6-Month Reprieve: In a minor concession, the DHS included a short-term reprieve for the first 6 months after the rule takes effect. If you timely apply for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT via Form I-765 during this initial window, you do not need to file a separate Extension of Stay application.
• Biometrics and Vetting: For all future extensions, control has been stripped away from university campus advisors (DSOs). Students must now apply directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using Form I-539, which requires undergoing mandatory biometric screening and fraud reviews.
• Added Financial Burdens: Filing Form I-539 adds a government processing fee of $420 for online applications and $470 for paper filings, compounding the earlier 2026 premium processing fee hikes implemented by USCIS.

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