Dear Colleagues,
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued changes to F and J immigration regulations that have individual and programmatic impacts for our university community. A detailed communication about the changes has been shared with the international members of our community who are directly affected.
The purpose of this message is to highlight some of the most crucial aspects of the regulatory changes. We encourage faculty and staff receiving this message to also review the communication linked above as well as the FAQs on the International Student and Scholar Services website.
Although federal guidance is still evolving, based on the rule published on July 17, the following restrictions are expected to take place on September 15, 2026, for all international students and scholars who hold F or J immigration status.
Duration of Status replaced by “Admit Until Date”
- F and J students and scholars entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will receive a fixed “Admit Until Date” (AUD) on their I-94. This date will either match their I-20 or DS-2019 end date (plus a 30-day grace period) or a date four years from entry, whichever is sooner. Thus, the new regulations provide for an initial four-year admission period for most students, after which there are options to extend their stay.
- F and J students and scholars who need to extend their AUD will be required to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to their AUD’s expiration (but not more than 180 days before) or travel internationally and re-enter the United States to receive a new AUD.
- Students and scholars will be allowed to continue their studies or research in the United States while they have an EOS application pending. Students and scholars will also be able to continue employment for at least 240 days provided the application was filed before the program end date.
Limitations on Academic Program Flexibility
- Undergraduate students will be prohibited from changing their major within their first year.
- Graduate students will be prohibited from changing their field of study at any point during their program.
- Graduate students will also be prohibited from changing their academic level until completion of their current degree program.
- All students may only pursue a subsequent degree at a higher level than the degree they previously obtained.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of DHS, has indicated that implementation of the academic program flexibility limitations may be delayed past the September 15 date. If this occurs, International Student and Scholar Services will communicate that information.
The Office of the Provost has charged a task force, led by Vice Provosts Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko and Colleen Murphy, to work with representatives from across campus to assess the implications of these regulatory changes and recommend guidelines for how departments can continue to support international student success within the new parameters.
We will continue to monitor developments, amend our processes to align with these new regulations, communicate any updates as quickly as possible, and provide support to our international community as they seek to study, work, and learn on our campus. During this period, we ask for your flexibility and understanding for those affected by these changes.
Thank you for supporting our international community during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
John Coleman
Provost
Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate College
Kevin Jackson
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Colleen Murphy
Vice Provost for Global Engagement Designate