On July 21, 2026, Vice Provost Colleen Murphy and Assistant Provost Martin McFarlane sent the following message to international students and scholars:
On July 17, the Department of Homeland Security issued changes to F and J immigration regulations. These changes are currently scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, with some potential exceptions.
All students and scholars with F or J nonimmigrant status should review the following information and guidance in detail. A list of frequently asked questions is also available on the ISSS website’s Duration of Status page.
Duration of Status replaced by "Admit Until Date"
- F and J students and scholars were previously admitted to the United States until the completion of their programs. This was known as “Duration of Status,” or D/S. D/S will be replaced with a fixed date known as the Admit Until Date, or AUD.
- F and J students and scholars entering the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will receive an AUD on their I-94 matching their I-20 or DS-2019 end date (plus a grace period) OR a date four years from entry, whichever is sooner.
- F and J students and scholars already present in the United States on September 15, 2026, may still see D/S listed on their I-94. However, their AUD will be considered the end date on their I-20 or DS-2019 (plus a grace period) OR a date four years from September 15, 2026, whichever is sooner.
Reduction of Post-Completion Grace Period
- The post-completion grace period for all F students will be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
- The post-completion grace period for all J students and scholars will remain 30 days (no change).
Introduction of "Extension of Stay" Application
- 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.
- Biometrics, provided in person at a USCIS Application Support Center, may be required as part of the EOS application.
- The EOS application process will be required in addition to the extension of one’s I-20 or DS-2019.
- EOS requests must list a compelling academic reason, documented illness/medical conditions, or circumstances beyond the applicant’s control. Delays due to academic probation are not a compelling academic reason. Academic probation in the context of this federal regulation is a wide-ranging immigration term that may include the Illinois terms ‘College Academic Warning’ and ‘Low GPA Warning’.
- 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.
- Submission of an EOS application will be required as part of any optional practical training (OPT) applications filed on or after March 18, 2027.
Restrictions on "Educational Objectives" for Students
The following restrictions are expected to take place on September 15, 2026. However, USCIS have indicated that implementation may be delayed. Additional communication from ISSS will be shared once the effective date is confirmed.
- Educational Objectives refers to a student’s educational level (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, etc.), major, field of study/research, or enrolled/host university.
- Undergraduate students will be prohibited from changing educational objectives within their first year.
- Graduate students will be prohibited from changing educational objectives at any point during their program.
- Students may only pursue a subsequent degree at a higher level than the degree they previously obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISSS is receiving a high volume of inquiries related to these regulatory changes. We have developed a list of frequently asked questions to assist students and scholars with foundational questions regarding these rule changes.
Additionally, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has created two resources to help students and scholars understand these regulatory changes:
We want to re-emphasize our understanding of the uncertainty and anxiety this has created for our F and J students and scholars. The university is also engaged in the following work:
- A Task Force charged by the Office of Provost is assessing the implications of these rule changes and preparing recommendations for additional support structures for our international community.
- The Office of the Provost and Illinois International will be communicating guidelines to academic departments to support academic continuity for international students and scholars.
- ISSS will be updating all e-forms and online information prior to September 15 to help guide students and scholars through these new regulatory processes.
We want to assure you that our commitment to a successful academic and professional experience remains unchanged. You are welcome, wanted, and an essential part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
ISSS will continue to monitor developments around these regulation changes and communicate any updates as quickly as possible.