Authorized Period of Stay

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule ending Duration of Status and introducing academic restrictions for F-1 students. Starting on September 15, 2026, F-1 students will be admitted into the U.S. for a fixed admission period, and those who need additional time for their studies must follow an extension process.

Old System with Duration of Status

• I-94 shows “D/S”
• No specific I-94 expiration date
• Authorized period of stay is tracked through your I-20

New Rule with Fixed Admission

• I-94 shows specific end date
• Specific I-94 expiration date (“Admit Until Date” or AUD)
• Authorized period of stay is tracked through your I-94

The “Admit Until Date” on your I-94 will be the program end date on your I-20 (up to four years) plus a 30-day grace period. You will not be allowed to stay in the U.S. for more than four years, or the length of time needed to complete your program (whichever is shorter) without an extension of stay.

Note: If your passport expires before your I-20 program end date, your I-94 “Admit Until Date” might match your passport expiration date.

If you entered the U.S. prior to September 15, 2026 and have not traveled internationally since then, your I-94 will continue to show that you’ve been admitted for Duration of Status. However, your authorized period of stay as of September 15, 2026 will match the program end date on your current I-20 plus a 60-day grace period.

If your I-94 shows “D/S,” you can estimate when your authorized stay ends using the calculator below.