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On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would eliminate 鈥淒uration of Status (D/S)鈥 for international students and scholars.
What is Duration of Status?
D/S is a unique type of entry available to international students and scholars that allows admission to the United States for the length of an academic program, and critically, allows academic programs to determine that length. D/S has been a policy for more than 30 years. It allows international students and scholars to see their studies or work through to completion without the need to file for an extension of status with the federal government. This means that students and scholars in F and J status can remain in the U.S. as long as they maintain their academic or research program requirements and have a valid I-20 (F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (J-1 visa).
What are the proposed changes?
If the new rule goes into effect, several changes will occur:
- Students and scholars on F-1 or J-1 status will have a fixed expiration date not to exceed four years.
- Students will be required to file an extension request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for any additional time required using the Extension of Stay Application (Form I-539).
- F-1 grace period will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
- There will be restrictions on transfers and changes of educational objectives (with graduate students prohibited from changing programs)
- Students on F-1 status with no longer be able to pursue a program at the same or lower educational level after completing one.
What鈥檚 next?
Because this is a proposed rule, there are no immediate changes for F-1 or J-1 students and scholars.
There was a public comment period that ended on October 27, 2025 on the proposed changes. For the proposed rule to take effect, it would need to be published as an 鈥渋nterim鈥 or 鈥渇inal鈥 rule, following the public comment period.
The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) is monitoring this proposed rule closely and will provide updates to the Eastern Illinois community as more information is available.