Elimination of Duration of Status Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• The Admit Until Date (AUD) is the initial period of admission to the U.S. for F or J students or scholars. Unless they submit a request to extend their AUD, the date listed on Form I-94 will be the last day they are authorized to stay in the U.S.
  
• The Admit Until Date (AUD) is different from the Program End Date on the I-20 or DS-2019. The Program End Date reflects the expected completion of the academic or exchange program, while the AUD reflects the last date authorized to remain in the United States. 

F and J students and scholars entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will receive an AUD on their I-94 matching their I-20 or DS-2019 end date (plus a grace period) OR a date four years from entry, whichever is sooner. 

For F-1 students on OPT, their AUD will be the end date on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) plus the original 60-day grace period. However, if they exit and re-enter the U.S. their grace period will be shortened to 30 days.

• F or J visa holders who need more time beyond their Admit Until Date (AUD) could fall into any of the following categories:
  • Need more time to complete program of study (F and J students only) based on compelling academic reason or documented illness
  • Need more time to conduct research (J scholars only)
  • Need to transfer to a new school (see section below for qualifications)
    • Undergraduate students are permitted to do this only after completing their first year of studies at their current institution
    • Graduate students are only permitted to do this if they have successfully completed one degree of study and are admitted to a higher level (for example, Master’s to PhD)
  • Changing to a higher academic level
  • Need to apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) (for F-1 students) or Academic Training (for J-1 students)
  • OPT students applying for STEM OPT
  • Students who are out of status and applying for reinstatement

• Step 1: F or J visa holders needing more time beyond their Admit Until Date (AUD) for whatever reason must first request a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the ISSO or their sponsoring organization. Check the ISSO website for instructions as they become available.

• Step 2: Follow one of the following options after consultation with an ISSO advisor:
  • Prepare an Extension of Stay (EOS) application including USCIS Form I-539, accompanying fees, newly issued Form I-20 or DS-2019 and other support materials. Submit it to USCIS up to 180 days before their AUD expires.

OR

• Exit the U.S. with your new Form I-20 or DS-2019, apply for a new visa if necessary, and re-enter with your valid passport. In this situation, CBP would determine the extension of a student’s AUD at the port of entry.

• Undergraduate students may change their major or transfer schools only after their first year of study.

• Graduate students are not eligible to change their educational objective/program at any point during their program of study.

• Graduate students are NOT eligible to transfer schools during their program of study. However, SEVP may approve a transfer exception based on “extenuating circumstances.” Further clarification is still needed to learn about the application process

• Graduate students may transfer schools upon completion of their current degree as long as they are moving to a higher level of study.

F-1 students will no longer be allowed to pursue a subsequent academic program at the same or lower educational level after completing a program at a particular level.

• F-1 students in this transition group will retain their legacy 60-day grace period but only if they stay in the U.S. after the new rule goes into effect on 9/15/2026. Exiting and re-entering on or after 9/15 will eliminate D/S status and the 60-day grace period. 

• Current F & J visa holders can remain under D/S if they do not travel outside the U.S. until their I-20 or DS-2019 Program End Date or until 11/14/2030 (whichever is earlier). 

• F and J visa holders entering or returning to the U.S. on or after 9/15/2026 will be admitted with a fixed end date recorded on the I-94 entry record.

• The “Admit Until Date” (AUD) on the I-94 will be limited to the Program End Date noted on your I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years (i.e., whichever is shorter), plus a 30-day grace period following the end date.

•  Re-entering with a pending OPT/STEM OPT application and which documents to show at the Port of Entry

• Re-entering with a pending EOS (for any reason) and which documents to show at the Port of Entry

Note: Prior to committing to domestic and or international travel, please consult with the ISSO staff via phone or walk-in advising as eligibility to return to the U.S. depends on individual circumstances.

• Students who timely file an Extension of Stay (EOS) and already have on-campus employment, OPT, CPT, or Academic Training work authorization will automatically be allowed to continue working for up to 240 days as long as the EOS is submitted to USCIS before the I-20 or DS-2019 Program End Date or EAD end date. Students who submit an EOS to USCIS after their I-20 Program End Date will not be allowed to work while the USCIS application is pending. Students can continue studying and will be able to begin work once USCIS approves the EOS.

• Students transferring into a new school cannot begin on-campus employment until their EOS has been approved or unless they re-enter the U.S. and obtain a new AUD that is in the future.

• Alumni authorized for OPT or STEM OPT who travel and re-enter the U.S. after 9/15/2026 will be given a fixed I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD) instead of D/S. Generally, the new AUD will be the end date on their employment authorization document (EAD) plus the new 30-day grace period.

• Just as always, F and J visa holders are responsible for maintaining their immigration status. This means much earlier deadlines to request more time and restrictions on when or if changes can be made to your admitted academic program of study.
  
• You will need to pay close attention to your I-94 Admit Until Date (AUD), I-20 or DS-2019 end date, grace period, travel & re-entry updates to your record, employment authorization periods and deadlines, as well as new extension of stay in the U.S. requirements.
  
• You will need to plan ahead (at least 6 months) in order to assess whether or not you can complete all of your academic objectives in the allotted time frame or if you will need to prepare and file an EOS or exit and re-enter the U.S.
  
• In summary, below are the circumstances that will require an EOS or re-entry to the U.S.:

• Extending your I-20 or DS-2019 end date if more time is needed to complete degree requirements or for documented illness/medical condition
• Completing your degree if your AUD is before your I-20 end date
• Transferring to a new school if your AUD is before your new school’s I-20 end date, or if your Admit Until Date is D/S
• Changing to a higher education level
• Applying for Post Completion OPT
• Applying for STEM OPT
• Applying for Academic Training (J-1 students only) if doing so extends the end date of your DS-2019

• Beginning on 9/15/2026, the new rule replaces the Duration of Status (D/S) admission with a fixed period of time, up to the end date listed on the Form DS-2019, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for departure. Therefore, any J-1 visiting scholars and their dependents who enter the U.S. after 9/15/2026 will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) on their I-94 arrival/departure record. Any further extension beyond that time period will require an Extension of Stay (EOS) application to be submitted to USCIS for approval, or alternatively, an extension through international travel. 

• Current J-1 visiting scholars admitted under D/S who were present in the U.S. before 9/15/2026 may remain in the United States without applying for an EOS up to their program end date as listed on their Form DS-2019, plus a 30-day departure period.  Exchange Visitors who need more time to complete their academic objective beyond this date must apply for an EOS with USCIS.

• The EOS application to USCIS should include a new DS-2019, Form I-539 (with fee, biometrics, and possible interview), and other supporting documentation.

• Host departments wishing to minimize the impact of the new rule on their current scholars may request an extension before the effective date of the rule up to the maximum period of stay. Departments should be sure that funding is available for the length of the extension period. In order to ensure timely processing by ISSO before the effective date of the rule, departments should submit these requests prior to September 11, 2026.
  
• Departments should also consider the overall length of time envisioned for the position when submitting initial DS-2019 requests. If funding is secure, it is recommended that you ask for the amount of time you have secured funding for within the maximum period of stay for the category to minimize the need to file extensions with USCIS. UNC Charlotte’s authorized categories are Short Term Scholar: 6 months, Student Intern: 1 year, Specialist: 1 year, Research Scholar and Professor: 5 years.

• Studyinthestates FAQ
• SEVP FAQ
• International Student Resource Center