DHS Final Rule to End 'Duration of Status' for International Students, Implementing Fixed Admission Periods on September 15

A new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation, effective September 15, 2026, will significantly alter the authorization for F-1/J-1 international students to remain in the United States. The rule eliminates the 'duration of status' policy, replacing it with a fixed period of admission, generally limited to the program's length up to four years, plus a grace period. This change creates uncertainty for current and prospective international students, impacting academic mobility and potentially affecting enrollment at institutions like Tufts University.