Updates on F-1 Duration of Status Rule Changes

Current rule: When F-1 students enter the United States, their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record shows "D/S" (Duration of Status) instead of a specific admission end date. This means that students can stay in the United States as long as they are following the rules of F-1 status and until they complete their academic program(s).

Starting September 15, 2026: A specific "admit until date” will be listed on your I-94. This date will be your I-20 program end date plus a 30-day grace period. Students who need more time after the I-20 program end date will need to take some additional steps (see below).

Many people use the word "visa" when they actually mean "status."

An F-1 visa is an official stamp placed in your passport by a U.S. consulate. It gives you permission to travel to a U.S. border and ask for entry into the U.S. to study. It is only permission to "knock on the door."

At the border, an immigration officer decides if they will allow you to enter and give you an immigration status in the U.S.  Status is a person's legal standing or category in a host country. It defines whether a person is a visitor, student, temporary worker, etc. After students use an F-1 visa to enter the U.S., they have F-1 status.​

The I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is an electronic record that is created each time travelers enter the U.S. It shows how long you can stay in the U.S. this visit. You receive a new one each time you enter the U.S.​

You can retrieve your I-94 by clicking "Get Most Recent I-94" here:​ https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home

Yes. Students can still study for more than four years. 

Some media reports incorrectly suggest that international students will be limited to only four years of study in the United States. This is not entirely accurate. Four years is the maximum period that may be granted on your I-94 each time you enter the U.S. The period granted on your I-94 will match the I-20 program end date (for Shoreline students, this will be shorter than four years anyway).

Students' authorized length of stay has always been connected to their academic program. Generally, students may remain in the U.S. until they complete their program or reach the end date on their I-20, whichever comes first. What is changing is the process used to request additional time when needed.

If you need additional time beyond the program end date on your I-20 to complete your studies, you may apply for an extension while you are in the United States, or exit the U.S. and re-enter with a new I-20 (see below).

Current rule: F-1 students are currently allowed to enter the United States for a flexible period of time, called Duration of Status (D/S).  They can stay in the United States as long as they are following the rules of F-1 status and until they complete their academic program(s). This is limited by the I-20 program end date.​ If they need more time, their school can approve a new program end date for a program extension or a change to a new education level.​

Starting September 15, 2026: Students who need more time after their I-20 program end date will have two options: 

1. Request an extension from the college; receive a new I-20 with a new program end date. Submit an I-539 application with $420 fee to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) for an Extension of Stay. Students are allowed to stay and continue studying in the U.S. while awaiting approval.
2. Request an extension from the college; receive a new I-20 with a new program end date. Leave the United States and re-enter with the new I-20. Students will need a valid F-1 visa to re-enter. Many students already travel home between academic terms.

Change to length of “grace period”: The grace period after completion of studies will change from 60 days to 30 days. The grace period is the time when students can transfer their SEVIS (I-20) record to another school, apply for OPT, leave the U.S., or apply to change status to something other than F-1.

Important Notes:

• If your passport expires before your I-20 program end date, your Admit Until Date may be limited to your passport expiration date.
• Students studying ESL will be allowed a total maximum of ​24 months to finish their ESL studies.
  

You may continue to travel and return to the United States after September 15, 2026. 

The main change is that your I-94 will show a specific "admit until date” instead of "D/S." As always, make sure: 

• Your passport and F-1 visa are valid
• You are carrying your current I-20, and 
• Your I-20 was signed on page 2 by an advisor or F-1 specialist in the IE Department during your most recent quarter. 

Important for Students Planning to Apply for OPT during the next six months: If you will graduate in Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Winter 2027 and plan to apply for OPT, please speak with an F-1 specialist. If you travel outside the United States on or after September 15, 2026, and before submitting your OPT application, you will likely need to apply for an Extension of Stay together with your OPT application.

These new rules are not targeting students who follow a normal academic path.​ The new rules are trying to prevent individuals who use the student visa system to stay in the U.S. as long as they possibly can and are not truly here to study.​

Most other countries have a specific expiration date for international student stays. The U.S. will now be similar to most other countries in how they admit foreign students.​

Please note that the changes below may not be implemented by September 15, 2026, and could be revised before taking effect. 

Restrictions on Transfer or Change of Educational Objective During the First Academic Year: During the first academic year of study (three quarters), students will not be able to transfer to another school. They will need to attend the school whose I-20 they used to obtain their visa for at least the first academic year.

Students will also not be able to change their educational objective (major) durin the first academic year. For most students, this should not affect your studies, as Shoreline's I-20s have very general "educational objectives," such as "Liberal Arts and Sciences" or "Physical Sciences." If students do change their major, we can simply update the major on the I-20 after the first three quarters have been completed.

These rules were written with bachelor's level students in mind. If a student finishes a program that is shorter than one year, such as ESL or EAP/Pathway, they will be allowed to change to the next higher level.

Second Degree at the Same or Lower Level: Pursuing second degrees at the same or lower level of study (such as a second associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree after an master's degree) will no longer be allowed. This restriction will not apply to degrees earned before 9/15/2026 or for degrees earned outside of the U.S. This change will not affect students who complete an associate degree and then transfer to a bachelor's degree program. It will also not affect students who wish to transfer before completing a degree.

Important Information for Pre-Nursing Students: If you are currently a pre-nursing student and plan to apply to Shoreline's Associate Degree in Nursing program, please meet with an academic advisor. Completing the full AA-DTA Pre-Nursing Transfer degree while taking nursing prerequisite courses may make you ineligible to pursue Shoreline's Associate Degree in Nursing. An academic advisor can help you understand your options.

Check the Program End Date on Your I-20. Your program end date can be found on the first page of your I-20:

If you believe you may not complete your program by that date, contact an academic advisor as soon as possible. Visit our advising webpage for drop-in hours and appointment information, or email us at ieadvisors@shoreline.edu. 

How Can You Learn More? 

Our department will continue sending updates as needed, and we will continue to offer more info sessions in the future. In the meantime, if you are concerned about your individual situation, please meet with an academic advisor or an F-1 specialist. We are here to support you!