THEIMMIGRANTS™

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the new DHS rule that was supposed to end “Duration of Status” for F-1 and J-1 students on September 15, 2026. The existing D/S system remains in place for now. Here is what international students need to know today. F-1 Visa Rule Blocked September 15, 2026 Updated: September 15, 2026 UPDATE: The September 15 rule is NOT taking effect today The major change to the U.S. student visa system that was scheduled to begin on September 15, 202

For as long as most international students have been coming to the US, one phrase has meant safety: "Duration of Status." As long as you kept studying, kept your grades up, and followed the rules, your I-94 simply said D/S — no expiration date, no clock ticking in the background. That era ends in two weeks. On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule tearing out the D/S framework for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I nonimmigrant media representatives, and replacing