US Ends Duration of Status for F, J, and I Visa Holders Sept 2026
The US has replaced 'duration of status' with fixed admission periods for students, exchange visitors, and journalists, effective September 15, 2026.
Traveller Impact
Check your I-94 record upon entry to confirm your specific 'admit until' date, as you are no longer automatically granted stay for the duration of your program.
Why This Matters
As of September 15, 2026, the United States has officially ended the long-standing 'duration of status' (D/S) policy for holders of F (student), J (exchange visitor), and I (foreign media) visas. Under the previous system, these individuals were permitted to remain in the country for the entire length of their academic program or employment contract. The new regulation mandates that these travellers be granted a fixed period of admission, meaning their legal stay is now tied to a specific expiration date determined by immigration officers at the port of entry.
This policy shift is part of a broader effort by the Department of Homeland Security to increase oversight of non-immigrant visa holders. By moving to fixed admission periods, the government aims to standardize monitoring and ensure that individuals depart the country promptly upon the conclusion of their authorized activities. This change also coincides with the implementation of updated USCIS forms, specifically I-539 and I-765, which must be used for all status renewals or work permit applications; the government has explicitly stated that any applications submitted on outdated forms after the September 15 deadline will be rejected without consideration.
Who Is Affected
This policy directly impacts international students on F visas, cultural exchange participants on J visas, and foreign journalists on I visas. It also affects their families who hold dependent status, as their authorized stay is now similarly restricted to the fixed date assigned to the primary visa holder.
What Travellers Should Do
Verify your 'admit until' date on your electronic I-94 record immediately after clearing US Customs and Border Protection.
Ensure you are using the most current versions of USCIS Form I-539 or I-765 if you need to apply for a change or extension of status.
Plan your travel and program timelines carefully, as you must apply for an extension well before your fixed admission date expires to avoid falling out of status.
Consult with your university's international student office or your sponsoring organization to understand how this fixed date impacts your specific program duration.
Makutet Insight
Makutet expects this transition to create significant administrative friction for academic institutions and media organizations, as the burden of tracking individual expiration dates shifts from a program-based model to a case-by-case compliance model. We anticipate an increase in 'overstay' violations due to confusion over the new fixed-date system, and we advise travellers to treat their I-94 expiration date as a hard deadline rather than a flexible guideline.
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