Southern Utah University is reviewing new Department of Homeland Security regulations that eliminate the "Duration of Status" (D/S) designation for F and J nonimmigrant students and scholars. According to an undated notice from the university, the rule was published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, and is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
Under the new framework, F and J visa holders will no longer be admitted to the United States for an indefinite period based on their academic status. Instead, they will receive a specific, fixed end date on their Form I-94. This change affects timelines for degree completion, program transfers, and applications for OPT or STEM OPT.
Key changes in the ruling include a four-year maximum cap for F and J visa holders, meaning they will be admitted until the program end date listed on their Form I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed four years. Intensive English Program students will be restricted to a maximum admission period of 24 months. Additionally, the grace period for F-1 students after program completion will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days for those admitted under the new rule.
The policy introduces several restrictions on academic movement. Undergraduate and Intensive English Program students will not be permitted to transfer schools during their first year of study. Graduate students will be prohibited from changing their program or transferring to a different institution while in the United States. Furthermore, students seeking a new degree in the U.S. must pursue a higher education level than their previously earned degree.
Students requiring more time to complete their programs must apply for an Extension of Stay by submitting Form I-539 to USCIS. While the university's International Student & Scholar Services team provides procedural guidance and issues updated Forms I-20, the student is responsible for gathering documentation and submitting applications to USCIS.
The university's International Student & Scholar Services team is monitoring implementation guidance and mapping out institutional workflows. Students currently in the U.S. admitted under the previous D/S framework can remain until the program end date on their I-20 or the end of their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, not to exceed November 14, 2030.
