DHS ends duration of status for F-1 students

6 min read

The Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule ending the long-standing duration-of-status (D/S) policy for F-1 academic students, J-1 exchange visitors and I-visa media representatives and replacing it with fixed admission periods. For undergraduate F-1 students the admission period is limited to four years with 30 days for reentry. The rule also bars undergraduate students from changing majors or transferring schools during their first year except when SEVP approves narrow "extenuating circumstances." The change affects more than a million current international students, follows a recent 17% enrollment drop, and could deter future applicants to U.S. colleges.

Undergraduate F-1 students now have fixed four-year admission periods.