Maintaining Legal Immigration Status.
Proposed DHS Rule Changes Affecting F and J Visa Holders
Overview
The information here outlines important proposals regarding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Final Rule issued on July 17, 2026, introducing substantial revisions to regulations governing F and J student and exchange visitor visas.
A federal court issued a temporary injunction on September 14, 2026, preventing the rule from taking effect as scheduled on September 15, 2026. As long as this court order remains active, the proposed changes will not be implemented.
As a result, there is no immediate effect on current F-1 and J-1 visa holders, newly admitted F-1 and J-1 students, or incoming F-1 and J-1 students and scholars preparing to begin their programs or exchange activities. However, because the legal status of the rule could change, it is important for all F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to understand its potential impact.
We recognize that ongoing changes and uncertainty can be stressful, and the International Programs Office remains committed to supporting our international student and scholar community throughout this process.
For more information, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States website for the full publication and details of the proposed rule changes.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Rule
Current System
At present, most F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors are admitted to the United States under a "duration of status" framework. This allows them to stay in the country for as long as they continue meeting the requirements of their program, research activity, Optional Practical Training (OPT), or Academic Training.
Changes for New F and J Visa Holders
If implemented, the rule would introduce several major changes for new applicants, including:
- Replacing duration of status with a fixed period of admission limited to either four years or the program length, whichever is shorter, followed by a 30-day departure period.
- Requiring individuals who need additional time beyond their authorized stay to submit an Extension of Stay (EOS) request to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and provide justification for approval.
- Automatically extending status for up to 240 days while an EOS application remains under review.
- Permitting students who complete one degree program to pursue only a higher educational level, not a program at the same or lower level.
- Preventing graduate students from changing either their academic level or major after beginning their program.
- Restricting undergraduate students from changing majors or educational levels during their first year except in limited circumstances.
- Dependents would also be subject to the same admission periods and extension requirements as the principal F-1 or J-1 visa holder.
Impact on Current Students and Scholars
Individuals already in F or J status within the United States on the rule's effective date would be transitioned into the new system gradually.
Under the proposed implementation:
- Students and scholars present in the United States on the effective date could remain without filing an EOS until either their program completion date, the expiration of authorized post-completion employment benefits, or four years from the rule's effective date, whichever occurs later within the permitted limits.
- Existing grace periods would remain unchanged, including 60 days for F visa holders and 30 days for J visa holders.
- However, departing the United States and returning after the rule takes effect would subject the individual and any dependents to the new admission rules upon reentry.
Additional Guidance
Many institutions and international students continue to seek clarification regarding the practical impact of the rule. Although organizations across higher education have been actively gathering information, some questions may remain unresolved unless additional federal guidance becomes available.
Areas that continue to raise particular concerns include dual-degree programs, joint-degree programs, and international travel.
If the rule eventually takes effect and no alternate guidance is issued, the following recommendations apply:
- Travel and Physical Presence
- F-1 students and J-1 scholars enrolled in on-campus programs are encouraged to be physically present in the United States on the rule's effective date.
- Those who are present on that date would generally retain authorization to stay until their program end date or authorized employment expiration date, subject to the four-year maximum transition period.
- Existing grace periods would continue to apply.
- Anyone who leaves the United States and reenters after the effective date would become subject to the new regulations, even if they were previously in the country when the rule first took effect.
- Academic Program Changes
The proposed rule would place new restrictions on when F-1 students may change degree levels or academic programs. Institutions are continuing to assess how these limitations could affect students participating in dual-degree and joint-degree programs and will provide additional guidance as it becomes available.
Effects on Future Travel
Travel outside the United States after the effective date could result in the "Admit Until Date" on Form I-94 being updated to correspond with the program end date listed on an individual's I-20 or DS-2019. This change could influence future requests for immigration status extensions.
Legal Challenge
Several higher education and immigration advocacy organizations filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to invalidate the rule. On September 14, the court granted a preliminary injunction that temporarily prevents implementation while the case proceeds. Because the outcome of the litigation remains uncertain, institutions continue to monitor developments and will share updates regarding any resulting changes to guidance or policy.
Moving Forward
The IPO will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and update this page as additional information becomes available. We understand that these developments may create uncertainty for members of our international community. If you are an international student at YSU and have questions about how these changes may affect you, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with an IPO Immigration Advisor through the YSU IPO Bookings Link.
Last Updated: October 14, 2026
International Student Documents and Maintaining Legal Immigration Status
International students are required to abide by United States immigration regulations throughout their stay in the U.S. International students are admitted to the US by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the purpose of being full-time students. Participation by students in any other activity, from employment to vacation, is considered to be a privilege and is only allowable in accordance with strict DHS rules. Penalties for violations of immigration law can be severe and include deportation and 10-year bars from reentry to the US, so it is extremely important for students to understand their responsibilities.
International students are normally admitted to the US for "Duration of Status" (D/S). This means that they are allowed to remain in the U.S. for as long as they "maintain legal student status." Listed below are the documents that F-1 or J-1 students need to keep current while they are residing in the U.S. along with the basic rules that students must follow in order to maintain legal student status in the US.
Remember that it is the student's responsibility to be informed about immigration rules and any rule changes which occur during their stay in the U.S. The International Programs Office (IPO) provides international students at YSU with the necessary information to do this, but it is the student and not the university who is ultimately responsible for abiding by the rules and maintaining legal student status.
| Document Type | Instructional Use |
|---|---|
| Passport | The passport is the legal document issued by your country of citizenship. It must be kept valid at all times during your stay in the U.S. and must be valid at least 6 months into the future to re-enter the U.S. or apply for a visa. The passport can usually be renewed through your home country's Embassy or Consulate in the United States. |
Certificate of Eligibility I-20 or DS-2019 | The I-20 (for F-1 status) or DS-2019 (for J-1 status) is the document issued by your school or a sponsoring agency. It is specific to the institution and program of study you will attend in the U.S. It must be presented to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad to obtain an entry visa and to immigration officials when entering the U.S. in student status. Extensions or updates may be made by contacting IPO or your sponsoring agency. After your initial entry, a travel signature on page 2 less than 12 months old is required in order to re-enter the U.S. in student status. Signatures can be obtained at IPO. |
| I-94 Arrival/Departure Record | Upon entry to the U.S., a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer will stamp your passport with your arrival date, classification (F-1, J-1), and expiration date of your status. The expiration should be "D/S" (duration of status) and not an actual date. F-1/J-1 students are permitted to remain in the U.S. as long as they have a valid I-20/DS-2019, are enrolled in the academic program listed on the I-20/DS-2019, and have otherwise maintained their immigration status. After entry to the U.S., it is important to review your I-94 record. Check the website, verify that the information is correct, and print or save a copy of the I-94 for your records. This information must be verified every time you re-enter the U.S. Contact IPO for assistance if the information is not correct. If you enter the U.S. at a land crossing (from Canada or Mexico), you will receive a paper I-94 card stamped with the date and port of your entry. Check this document for accuracy. |
| Entry Visa | Prior to arrival to the U.S., a student must apply for their F-1/J-1 entry visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. entry visa is a sticker on a page of your passport which permits you to enter the U.S. The visa may expire while you are in the U.S. You cannot renew your visa from within the U.S. A new entry visa will only be required if the original expires and you travel outside the U.S. and then wish to re-enter the U.S. in legal student status. |
Maintaining Status
You Must Always:
- Maintain a valid passport throughout your stay in the U.S..
- Attend the school you are authorized to attend by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is the school whose name appears on the I-20 or DS-2019.
- Be registered as a full-time student (12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for gradaute students) for 2 out of 3 consecutive semesters in the school year. You cannot drop below full-time student status without receiving Authorization for a Reduced Course Load from IPO.
- Keep your Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019 form) valid at all times. If you cannot finish your program by the end date listed on your I-20/DS-2019, you must apply to IPO for a program extension at least one month before the document expires.
- Keep local and permanent address information current while in the U.S. If you have a change of address, you must email ipo@ysu.edu and IPO will update the immigration database. You must also update your address in the myYSU portal.
- Maintain valid health insurance coverage.
- F-1 students have a 60-day grace period in which to do one of the following:
- Leave the U.S.
- Change to another immigration status.
- Obtain a new certificate of eligibility for a new program at YSU, transfer their SEVIS record or apply for Optional Practical Training.
- J-1 students have a 30-day grace period in which to depart the U.S.
- J-1 students must apply for Academic Training before their DS-2019 expires.
- J-1 students cannot use the grace period for SEVIS transfer purposes or to change level but must obtain a new certificate of eligibility for a new program before the end date listed on the DS-2019.
- If you violate your immigration status, IPO may be required to terminate your SEVIS record. Termination of a SEVIS record is very serious and can have many negative consequences for you. It can end your ability to stay in the United States, attend school, and apply for work authorization. SEVIS termination means that you are not in legal status according to the Department of Homeland Security. If your SEVIS record is terminated OR you overstay your grace period, you could be accruing unlawful presence. This can lead to arrest and deportation proceedings. Accruing unlawful presence may result in being barred from the U.S. for many years or even permanently. If you do fall out of status, you must take immediate action to regain legal immigration status.