Elimination of Duration of Status (D/S)

Announcement

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to end ‘duration of status’ (D/S) for F and J visa holders. This rule goes into effect on September 15, 2026. Georgetown previously submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in opposition to this rule.

This impacts currently enrolled students in F or J status, scholars in J status, F-1 alumni with OPT or STEM OPT authorization, and J-1 alumni with Academic Training (AT) authorization. The Office of Global Services (OGS) and the Office of General Counsel are reviewing the final rule and will communicate changes and implications to the Georgetown community after August 3, 2026 on this webpage and via emails to affected individuals.

What was Duration of Status (D/S)?

Duration of Status allowed F and J visa holders to remain in the country as long as they were making normal progress towards completing their academic, research, or teaching objectives or engaging in Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT) without having to file a formal extension application with USCIS.

What is Fixed Period of Stay?

The new rule replaces D/S with a system that allows F and J visa holders to stay in the U.S. only until the fixed end date on their Form I-94, not to exceed 4 years. Individuals will now be required to file formal extension applications with USCIS to maintain status.

Useful Resources and Links

• Fragomen – Summary of Elimination of Duration of Status
• DHS/SEVP – Elimination of Duration of Status Quick Facts
• DHS/SEVP – Elimination of Duration of Status Frequently Asked Questions
• Study in the States Website