US DHS Ends Duration of Status for F-1 Students with 4-Year Cap

On September 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially implemented a final rule that fundamentally changes how international students are admitted into the United States. The long-standing "duration of status" (D/S) system, which allowed students to remain in the U.S. for the entire length of their academic program, has been replaced by a fixed period of admission. Under the new regulations, F-1 students are generally admitted for the length of their program, but this is now strictly capped at a maximum of four years.

This policy change is designed to increase oversight of the international student population and ensure that students are making consistent progress toward their degrees. By moving away from the open-ended "duration of status" model, the DHS aims to reduce the potential for visa misuse and improve the accuracy of immigration records. Any student whose academic program requires more than four years to complete must now proactively apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their initial admission period expires.

This rule applies to all international students holding F-1 visas, including those currently enrolled in U.S. institutions, not just new arrivals. It specifically impacts students in long-term degree programs, such as doctoral candidates or those in extended undergraduate tracks, who may now find themselves needing to file for formal extensions to maintain their legal status.

Makutet anticipates that this policy will create a significant administrative burden for both university international student offices and USCIS processing centers. We expect to see an increase in "status anxiety" among the international student community, potentially influencing enrollment choices for prospective students who may now view the U.S. as a more complex regulatory environment for long-term study.