DHS Proposes Fixed Admission Period for F-1, J-1, I Visas

(USA) The Department of Homeland Security said it has proposed ending “duration of status” (D/S) admissions for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives, replacing them with a fixed admission period tied to program end dates. Published on August 28, 2025, the DHS proposed rule would cap admission at the program end date listed on Form I-20 (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1), up to a maximum of four years, with the option to request an extension of stay from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. DHS emphasized that the rule is not yet in effect and will move through a public comment period before any final implementation.

Under the proposal, students and scholars would no longer be admitted for D/S, the open-ended period tied to maintaining status. Instead, the entry stamp would match the school or sponsor’s official end date, within the four-year cap. Those who need more time to finish a degree, change education level, transfer schools, or complete post-completion training would have to file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS before their current authorized stay expires. USCIS would then decide whether to grant extra time. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this marks the biggest shift to the F-1 admission period in years and would demand closer tracking of deadlines by students and schools.

DHS also proposed cutting the F-1 grace period after program completion from 60 days to 30 days, bringing it in line with the current J-1 grace period. During this grace period, students may prepare to depart, transfer, or apply for a change of status, but they may not work. The change would shrink the window available for next steps after graduation.

DHS officials say moving F, J, and I categories to fixed-time admissions would align them with most other nonimmigrant classes and give the government better tools to address overstays and unauthorized work. Student groups and university leaders warn the shift could increase uncertainty and drive a surge in filings to USCIS, where processing times can already be long. For the United States higher education sector, the timing—at the start of a new academic year—has prompted immediate reviews by campus international offices.

How the proposal would change core steps

• The admission record would expire on the date printed on the I-20 or DS-2019 (or sooner if the four-year cap is reached).
• To remain in the U.S. beyond that date, students must file an extension of stay with USCIS, supported by a Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) recommendation and an updated I-20 or DS-2019.
• Failure to file on time could trigger loss of status, accrual of unlawful presence, and exposure to removal proceedings.
• VisaVerge.com reports that campus advisors are preparing new checklists to help students track these deadlines.

USCIS advises applicants to file at least 45 days before their status expires when seeking more time in any nonimmigrant category. While DHS has not changed that advisory, the proposed rule would make timely filing more urgent for students who previously relied on the flexibility of D/S. The extension process would require:

• Proof of continued eligibility and academic progress
• A DSO or RO recommendation
• Payment of proper fees

Students can find official instructions for Form I-539 on the USCIS website at Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. DHS also noted that the proposed changes were published in the Federal Register: the Federal Register.

Policy Changes Overview

• Fixed admission period: F-1 and J-1 visitors would be admitted until the program end date on the I-20 or DS-2019, up to a four-year maximum.
• Extension of stay required: To stay longer, individuals must file an I-539 with USCIS before their authorized stay ends.
• Grace period reduced: F-1 students would receive a 30-day grace period after program completion (down from 60 days).
• Applies to I class as well: I visa holders (foreign media) would also lose D/S under the DHS proposed rule.
• No immediate effect: The change remains a proposal. Current students remain under existing rules until DHS issues a final rule and effective date.

“The proposed change would tighten oversight and improve system integrity,” DHS says. Student groups and universities warn it would shift a large administrative load onto students, schools, and USCIS, possibly causing status gaps if approvals lag.

Impact on students and schools

Campus international offices say they will need to align advising calendars with the fixed admission period. That could mean earlier reminders to extend the I-20 or DS-2019 with the school and then submit an extension of stay to USCIS if the program will run past the current end date.

Key practical effects include:

• More USCIS filings: Many students who would have remained in the U.S. under D/S will now need to file for an extension of stay, particularly in longer programs or when changing academic levels.
• Risk of timing gaps: If a filing is late—or if USCIS cannot process before the current status ends—students could face a lapse. Filing on time is essential to avoid unauthorized stay.
• Shorter wrap-up window: With a 30-day grace period, graduates will have less time to depart, transfer, or change status.
• Institutional compliance: DSOs and ROs will have to adjust timelines, update policies, and ensure students know new cutoffs and filing steps.

Legal practitioners say clear guidance will be needed on how the four-year cap interacts with common academic paths. Bachelor’s programs that start with intensive English, followed by degree study and then OPT, often stretch across several years. Under the proposal, students may need to plan multiple filings:

1. Extend the I-20/DS-2019 and obtain a DSO/RO recommendation.
2. File Form I-539 with USCIS before the current authorized stay expires.
3. Possibly file again if OPT or training extends beyond the first extension.

The proposed rule also covers I visa holders, who work for foreign media organizations. For these journalists, D/S would end, and admission would run to the assignment’s official end date, subject to the four-year cap. Employers would likely need to plan ahead to support timely extension of stay filings where coverage assignments continue.

Timing and next steps

DHS has not announced an effective date. Stakeholders expect:

• A public comment period to run for several months
• Final rulemaking potentially in late 2025 or early 2026

Until a final rule is issued, current F-1 and J-1 students remain under D/S, and the F-1 grace period remains 60 days. Students should monitor official DHS and USCIS updates and follow school guidance. For rule text and status updates, DHS directed readers to the Federal Register.

Universities are already modeling case scenarios. Consider a master’s student whose I-20 ends in May but who needs until December to finish a thesis. Under D/S, the student could work with the DSO to extend the I-20 in SEVIS and remain in status. Under the DHS proposed framework, the student would still need a DSO extension recommendation, but would also have to file I-539 with USCIS before May to secure the extra time. If processing drags and the application is not timely, the student could fall out of status, affecting housing, work authorization, and future visa eligibility.

Student advocates point to OPT and STEM OPT timelines: if the four-year cap or an earlier end date is reached before training ends, the applicant would need an approved extension of stay to cover the rest of the training. That adds cost and paperwork at a critical moment when graduates are focused on starting jobs. Campus advisors may build filing clinics and deadline alerts to help prevent missed dates. VisaVerge.com reports that some schools are asking DHS and USCIS to ensure enough processing capacity so students are not harmed by backlogs.

DHS says the proposal would not change eligibility rules for F-1, J-1, OPT, STEM OPT, or AT. It would change how time in the U.S. is authorized and tracked. The agency also notes that DSO and RO recommendations would remain central, and that students should continue to keep SEVIS records current. Still, the removal of D/S would be a major shift in how international education has operated for decades.

Immediate action items (recommended)

• Watch for DHS updates during and after the comment period.
• Confirm your current end date and plan backwards by at least 60–90 days.
• If the rule is finalized, seek a DSO or RO recommendation and file Form I-539 early if you will need more time.
• Use official resources, including USCIS guidance for Form I-539, to avoid mistakes.

As the rule advances, universities, students, and employers will push for clear transition guidance, especially for those mid-program when any final rule takes effect. DHS and USCIS will face pressure to keep processing times predictable to avoid status gaps. For many, the key question remains: can fixed-time admissions meet the realities of academic life without creating new risks for compliant students?