U.S. Ends 'Duration of Status' for F-1 and J-1 International Students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule eliminating the 'Duration of Status' designation for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, effective September 15, 2026. This change replaces the open-ended student visa status with fixed admit-until dates, fundamentally altering the legal experience for approximately 1.5 million international students and exchange visitors.