Dear F-1 Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors,
As you know from our communication last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced significant changes to F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor regulations that will take effect on September 15, 2026. These changes will affect how long F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors may remain in the United States; program extensions; changes of major or educational level; and employment authorization, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Academic Training (AT).
At this time, DHS has not released many implementation details. The Office of International Student and Scholar Compliance (ISSC) will continue to share accurate information as it becomes available.
We understand that you may have questions about your individual situation. While we want to help, we may not be able to answer many case-specific questions until U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publishes the required forms, procedures, and guidance. We anticipate that additional information may become available closer to, or even after, September 15, 2026.
We will offer information sessions to explain these changes in greater detail as we receive additional guidance from DHS.
New Terminology
Admit Until Date (AUD)
The AUD is the date by which a student must depart the United States. It includes the standard 30-day departure period.
Extension of Stay (EOS)
An Extension of Stay is a request submitted to USCIS using Form I-539 to remain in the United States beyond the AUD in order to complete a degree program.
Educational Objectives
Educational Objectives refer to your academic program, including your major and educational level, as defined in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(ii)(A).
Students Who Have Entered the U.S. Before September 15, 2026 (New and Continuing)
If you were admitted to the United States with a Form I-94 indicating the “Class of Admission” as F-1 and an “Admission Until Date” as Duration of Status (D/S) by 11:59 pm on September 14, 2026, by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you are generally permitted to remain in the United States until the shorter of these possibilities:
- The Program End Date listed on your Form I-20;
- The end of your approved post-completion OPT or STEM OPT;
- November 14, 2030, which includes four years and a 60-day departure period.
Please note:
- If you depart the United States on or after September 15, 2026, and later re-enter, you will receive a specific AUD instead of D/S and only a 30-day grace period.
- The status of F-2 or J-2 dependents will mirror that of the principal F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor. F-2 and J-2 dependents will not receive additional time after the principal individual’s program end date or AUD.
Students Entering the U.S. On or After September 15, 2026
Students entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, should expect the following process:
- Enter the United States and receive an AUD on your Form I-94;
- Complete your ISSC check-in and begin your academic program;
- Work closely with your Academic Advisor to ensure that your degree can be completed before your AUD, including appropriate planning for summer enrollment, if necessary;
- Beginning 180 days before your AUD, determine whether you will need additional time to complete your program.
If EOS applications are filed in a timely manner before the 30-day grace period included in the AUD, students are eligible to continue participating in on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and off-campus work due to approved severe economic hardship for up to 240 days while USCIS processes the EOS application. If processing at USCIS exceeds that time, students are not able to continue on-campus employment, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), or severe economic hardship authorizations.
If You Need Additional Time
You may apply for an Extension of Stay (Form I-539) beginning 180 days before your AUD.
- USCIS should receive your application at least 30 days before your AUD;
- If your EOS application is received at least 30 days before your AUD, you may generally continue your authorized study and employment while USCIS reviews your application;
- If your EOS application is received by USCIS during the final 30 days before your AUD (the departure period), you must stop all employment until USCIS makes a decision.
Please note:
- If your EOS is approved, USCIS will issue a new AUD. Current guidance does not indicate whether multiple EOS requests will be permitted.
- If your EOS is denied, you must depart the United States by the date specified in the denial notice. There is no grace period after a denial.
- EOS applications cannot be appealed.
- Premium processing is not currently available for EOS applications. If that changes, USCIS will announce the update.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT
Students planning to apply for OPT or STEM OPT must work with ISSC to obtain the required Form I-20 recommendation before submitting Form I-765 to USCIS.
- USCIS may also require a biometric appointment or additional documentation.
Important:
- Students who still have D/S do not need to submit an EOS application in addition to their OPT application if USCIS receives the OPT application by March 15, 2027. OPT applications received after that date will require an EOS application.
- Students who have an AUD must submit both an EOS application using Form I-539 and an OPT application using Form I-765, and pay for both applications.
- Students who do not apply for OPT must depart the United States by their AUD.
Changing Educational Levels
Students may continue to pursue a higher educational level than their current program.
Examples:
- Bachelor's → Master's
- Master's → Doctoral
However, students may not move to a lower or equivalent educational level.
Examples:
- Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree may not begin an English as a Second Language (ESL) program or another bachelor’s degree.
- Students pursuing a master’s degree may not begin an ESL program, a bachelor’s degree, or another master’s degree.
- Students pursuing a doctoral or professional degree may not begin another academic program at the same or a lower level.
Students who change to a higher educational level after September 15, 2026 will receive an AUD, lose D/S, and receive a 30-day grace period.
After receiving a Form I-20 for the new program from UNLV, students must apply to USCIS to change their educational level.
Please remember that USCIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and DHS maintain your complete Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) history.
Changing Majors & Transferring to another SEVP-Certified School
The new regulations also place restrictions on changing majors and transferring SEVIS records to other SEVP-certified institutions:
ESL and Undergraduate F-1 students may not change their major or transfer to an SEVP-certified school during their first academic year of study.
- Graduate-level students in master's, doctoral, and professional programs may not change their major during their program of study.
- F-1 students at the graduate level or above may not transfer to another institution at any point during their program of study.
Undergraduate students who change their major after September 15, 2026 will receive an AUD and will lose D/S.
An academic year is defined as one full fall and spring semester; spring, summer, and fall semester; or summer, fall, and spring semester, depending on when the student begins.
Before September 15, 2026
Before the new regulations take effect:
- Eligible students may request and receive a Form I-20 program-end-date extension from ISSC for valid academic reasons and continue to maintain D/S. Valid academic reasons include:
- A compelling academic reason.
- A documented illness or medical condition.
- Circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as conflict, disaster, or other significant hardships.
- Students may request a transfer to a new SEVP-certified institution.
- Students may change majors under the current regulations and continue to maintain D/S.
Important Reminders
Regardless of the program end date listed on your Form I-20, the new regulations require students who remain on D/S to do one of the following:
- Obtain an Extension of Stay before September 15, 2030.
- Depart the United States no later than November 14, 2030, if no extension is approved.
Potential Delay of Implementation
DHS has stated that it may delay or suspend portions of the new regulations.
DHS stated:
“DHS recognized that these changes might require updates to SEVIS and other systems. Because the timeframe for those updates is not fixed and there could be technical issues regarding implementation, DHS is including a provision whereby DHS may delay or suspend implementation, in its discretion, if it determines that the change in educational level limitation is inoperable for any reason. The need for this provision is not indefinite, and therefore, DHS has added language in the regulatory text to clarify that this provision can be used for up to two years from the effective date of the rule (i.e., September 14, 2028). See new 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(ii)(E). If DHS delays or suspends the provisions in this section governing the change in educational objectives, DHS will make an announcement of the delay or suspension by notice in the Federal Register and to the academic community through SEVP's various communication channels, including ICE.gov/sevis, Study in the States (studyinthestates.dhs.gov), and SEVIS Broadcast Message. DHS will also announce the implementation dates of the change in degree level provision through SEVP's communication channels (ICE.gov/sevis, Study in the States, and SEVIS Broadcast Message) at least 30 calendar days in advance."
The information provided in this email is based on the published regulations and implementation dates. If there are any changes or delays, we will notify you as soon as we have reviewed and confirmed the updated information.
As additional guidance becomes available from DHS, UNLV Global, and ISSC will continue to provide updates by email, on our website, and during upcoming information sessions.
For questions, please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Compliance (ISSC). The office is located in BEH 543 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. When you arrive, call 702-774-6477, and a staff member will meet you near the ground-floor elevator to provide access to the office. You may also email issc@unlv.edu for assistance with immigration and compliance questions.
For general support, please contact Anne White, Senior Director of International Student and Scholar Success Programs, at anne.white@unlv.edu.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate these significant regulatory changes together.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Gruber
Senior Executive Director of UNLV Global
Senior International Officer
Valerie Pierce
Director of the English Language Center
Anne White
Senior Director of International Student & Scholar Success Programs