By Richard T. Herman, Esq. | Immigration Attorney and Founder, Herman Legal Group
Updated: August 13, 2026

Quick Answer

Beginning September 15, 2026, the United States is scheduled to make one of the biggest changes to F-1 student status in decades.

Under a final Department of Homeland Security rule, most F-1 students entering or reentering the United States will no longer be admitted for “Duration of Status,” or D/S. Instead, they will receive a specific Admit Until Date on Form I-94, generally tied to the length of their academic program but limited to a maximum four-year academic admission period at one time, followed by an applicable departure period.

That does not mean every F-1 student must leave the United States after four years.

Students who legitimately need more time to complete a degree, pursue authorized practical training or continue an approved educational program may be able to obtain an additional period of F-1 status by filing an extension of stay with USCIS, generally on Form I-539. In some circumstances, a student may instead depart the United States and seek a new period of admission.

The rule does much more than eliminate D/S. It also:

• changes the normal F-1 post-completion departure period from 60 days to 30 days for students admitted under the new fixed-period system;
• creates a much larger role for Form I-539 extensions of stay;
• makes international travel more consequential for students currently protected by D/S;
• restricts some school transfers and changes of educational objective;
• imposes particularly strict rules on graduate-level transfers and program changes;
• restricts pursuing a second program at the same or a lower educational level;
• imposes a new aggregate limit on certain English-language-training programs; and
• makes the expiration date on Form I-94 far more important to questions of lawful status and unlawful presence.

The practical change can be summarized in one sentence:

F-1 students will no longer be able to assume that a valid Form I-20, by itself, determines how long they are authorized to remain in the United States. The expiration date on Form I-94 will become critical.

DHS states in the final rule that the changes are scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026, although the agency has also acknowledged that the effective date remains subject to congressional review and could be changed by further notice.

What Is “Duration of Status,” and Why Is It Ending?

For decades, most F-1 students have been admitted to the United States for Duration of Status, commonly shown as “D/S” on Form I-94.

The changes to F-1 status are significant, particularly because the F-1 duration of status ends 2026.

Rather than assigning each student a fixed immigration expiration date, D/S generally allowed an F-1 student to remain in the United States while pursuing a full course of study, participating in authorized practical training such as OPT, and otherwise maintaining valid F-1 status.

DHS explains in the final rule ending Duration of Status that it wants greater ability to periodically review whether F students, J exchange visitors and I foreign-media representatives remain eligible for their classifications.

For students, however, the most important question is not the government’s policy rationale. It is much more practical:

What date controls how long I can lawfully remain in the United States?

Under the new system, the answer will increasingly be the Admit Until Date on Form I-94.

What Changes for F-1 Students on September 15, 2026?

The answer depends heavily on whether you are already inside the United States in valid F-1 D/S status or whether you enter or reenter the country after the new rule takes effect.

If You Enter the United States on or After September 15, 2026

Instead of receiving “D/S,” most F-1 students will receive a specific expiration date on their electronic Form I-94 issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The period will generally correspond to the student’s academic program, but the academic portion of a single F-1 admission ordinarily cannot exceed four years.

That makes the phrase “four-year F-1 rule” somewhat misleading.

A student admitted for a two-year master’s program might receive an admission period tied to that two-year program.

A student entering for a five-year Ph.D. program ordinarily cannot receive the entire five years in a single admission because the new system generally caps a single academic admission period at four years.

The Ph.D. student does not necessarily have to leave the United States permanently at the four-year point. The student may instead need to obtain an extension of stay or another authorized period of admission.

Is F-1 Status Now Limited to Four Years?

No.

This is one of the most important misconceptions about the new rule.

The rule generally limits the length of one period of admission or extension. It does not impose a four-year lifetime limit on F-1 status.

A student enrolled in a legitimate five-, six- or seven-year Ph.D. program may still be able to complete the degree in F-1 status. The difference is that the student may have to affirmatively obtain additional immigration authorization rather than relying indefinitely on D/S.

That distinction will be especially important for:

• Ph.D. candidates;
• students conducting long-term research;
• students whose dissertations take additional time;
• students who experience medical or academic delays;
• students pursuing OPT after a lengthy academic program; and
• students whose program timelines change after entry.

I Am Already in the United States and My I-94 Says D/S. What Happens to Me?

This may be the most important transition question.

Your D/S does not simply disappear on September 15, 2026.

Students who are properly maintaining F-1 status when the rule takes effect receive transition protection.

In general, an eligible student already admitted for D/S may continue under that admission through the applicable program end date on Form I-20 or qualifying employment-authorization period, subject to the transition provisions and their outside limit.

The final DHS rule establishes an outside transition date of approximately four years after September 15, 2026, with the prior 60-day departure period applying to qualifying students who remain under their pre-rule D/S admission.

Example: Current Undergraduate Student

Suppose Maria:

• is in valid F-1 status;
• is physically present in the United States on September 15, 2026;
• has an I-94 showing D/S; and
• has a Form I-20 ending May 20, 2028.

Maria does not have to file Form I-539 merely because September 15 arrives.

Assuming she continues maintaining F-1 status and remains within the transition provisions, she can generally continue under her existing D/S admission for the applicable authorized period.

Example: Current Ph.D. Student

Suppose Arjun:

• is in valid F-1 D/S status on September 15, 2026;
• has an I-20 ending in May 2031; and
• does not travel internationally.

His existing D/S protection does not necessarily continue indefinitely simply because the I-20 extends into 2031. The new transition rules contain an outside limit.

A student in this situation should identify the immigration deadline years in advance rather than discovering the issue near the end of a dissertation.

The September 15 Travel Issue: What Happens If a Current D/S Student Leaves the United States?

International travel becomes more consequential under the new rule.

A student may remain protected under the D/S transition rules while physically present in the United States. But if that student departs and seeks readmission after the new rule takes effect, CBP will generally admit the student under the new fixed-period system rather than returning the student to D/S.

That means a vacation, family visit, wedding, conference or other international trip can change the student’s immigration clock.

Consider a current F-1 student whose I-94 says D/S and whose academic program will continue for several more years.

Before traveling internationally after September 15, the student should understand:

• what period of admission CBP may grant upon return;
• whether the new I-94 will expire before the I-20;
• how the new date affects OPT or STEM OPT;
• whether an I-539 extension may eventually become necessary; and
• whether travel changes the student’s eligibility for a transition provision.

This does not mean F-1 students should automatically avoid international travel.

It does mean that travel should no longer be treated as immigration-neutral.

After every international entry, students should retrieve their most recent I-94 from CBP and confirm the classification and Admit Until Date.

What Is the Difference Between an F-1 Visa, an I-20 and an I-94?

This distinction becomes increasingly important under the new system.

An F-1 visa generally allows a student to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission.

A Form I-20 documents the student’s academic program and SEVIS information.

A Form I-94 records the actual admission granted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Under D/S, the I-94 commonly said “D/S” rather than providing a fixed expiration date.

Under the new system, the I-94 will generally contain a specific Admit Until Date.

That date can become more important than the expiration date printed on the visa stamp and may not necessarily match the program end date on the I-20.

What If My Degree Takes Longer Than My I-94 Allows?

A student who needs additional time may generally have two possible routes:

1. File an extension of stay with USCIS, or
2. Depart the United States and seek a new period of admission, when appropriate.

Students seeking an extension from inside the United States will generally use USCIS Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

The student must also coordinate closely with the Designated School Official because the immigration filing may depend on an updated Form I-20 and an updated SEVIS record.

This is a significant cultural change for the F-1 system.

Students have long been accustomed to resolving many program-extension issues primarily through their DSO and SEVIS.

Under a fixed-period system, extending the I-20 may no longer be enough.

A student could have permission from the university to continue studying but still need separate immigration approval from USCIS.

For more detail about the form itself, HLG’s guide to Form I-539 explains the extension and change-of-status process.

Can I Continue Studying While My F-1 Extension Is Pending?

Generally, a student who timely files a qualifying extension of stay can continue pursuing a full course of study while USCIS adjudicates the application.

That protection is important because USCIS adjudication may extend beyond the expiration date shown on the prior I-94.

Employment, however, is more complicated.

Different rules apply depending upon whether the student is engaged in:

• on-campus employment;
• Curricular Practical Training;
• employment based on severe economic hardship;
• post-completion OPT; or
• STEM OPT.

A pending I-539 does not automatically create authorization to begin new employment.

Students should analyze the status-extension issue and employment-authorization issue separately.

How Does the New Rule Affect OPT?

The final rule does not eliminate Optional Practical Training.

Students can still qualify for OPT under the existing framework.

What changes is the relationship between OPT and the student’s authorized period of stay.

Suppose an F-1 student’s I-94 expires before the end of the requested OPT period.

Under the new system, the student may need:

• Form I-765 requesting employment authorization; and
• Form I-539 requesting an extension of F-1 stay.

The filings may be connected, but they serve different legal purposes.

The I-765 concerns authorization to work.

The I-539 concerns authorization to remain in F-1 status.

Students planning to transition from graduation into OPT therefore need to coordinate their I-20, I-94, I-765 and potentially I-539 timelines.

For additional background, HLG’s guide to possible changes affecting OPT explains the broader policy environment surrounding international-student employment.

Special OPT Transition Rule Through March 18, 2027

The final rule contains temporary transition relief for certain students.

Qualifying F-1 students who remain covered by the transition provisions and timely file for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027 may not need a separate I-539 extension for the requested practical-training period.

That relief is important, but it should not be assumed to apply to every student.

The answer may depend on:

• whether the student remained under D/S;
• whether the student traveled internationally after September 15;
• whether the student reentered under a fixed admission period;
• when the I-765 was filed;
• the program end date;
• the EAD period requested; and
• the expiration date on the student’s I-94.

A student who leaves the United States and returns under the new fixed-period system may be situated differently from a student who remained continuously in the United States under the D/S transition rules.

What About STEM OPT?

The rule does not eliminate the 24-month STEM OPT extension.

Qualifying students can continue using the STEM OPT program.

The existing automatic extension of employment authorization for eligible students with timely filed STEM OPT applications also remains significant.

However, students must distinguish between two separate questions:

Am I authorized to work?

and

Am I authorized to remain in the United States?

Under D/S, those questions often appeared closely connected.

Under the new fixed-period system, a STEM OPT applicant may need to pay closer attention to both the EAD timeline and the I-94 timeline.

Does the New Rule Eliminate H-1B Cap-Gap Protection?

No.

The final rule does not eliminate the basic F-1 cap-gap protection available to qualifying students transitioning from F-1 status to H-1B status.

Eligible students may continue to receive automatic extensions of status and, where applicable, employment authorization during the cap-gap period.

Students planning the common F-1 → OPT → H-1B route can also review HLG’s F-1 to H-1B guide.

The F-1 Grace Period Is Changing From 60 Days to 30 Days

One of the biggest changes in the final rule has received much less attention than the four-year admission limit.

For students admitted under the new fixed-period system, DHS generally reduces the normal post-completion departure period from 60 days to 30 days.

That can materially affect students deciding whether to:

• leave the United States;
• change immigration status;
• transfer to a new eligible program;
• pursue another authorized immigration option; or
• make other post-graduation plans.

There is an important transition distinction.

A student who remains covered by a pre-September 15 D/S admission may generally retain the 60-day departure period associated with that admission.

A student who later enters or reenters under the new fixed-period system will generally be subject to the new 30-day framework.

As a result, two students graduating from the same university on the same date could have different immigration deadlines because their admission histories are different.

New Restrictions on Changing Schools and Majors

The final rule does much more than replace D/S with an expiration date.

It also changes when students may transfer schools or change educational objectives.

Undergraduate and Other Below-Graduate-Level Students

Students below the graduate level generally cannot transfer schools or change their educational objective during the first academic year at the school that issued the initial Form I-20, unless an authorized exception applies because of qualifying extenuating circumstances.

This could affect a student who arrives at one university and quickly discovers that:

• the program is not a good fit;
• the student wants a different major;
• another university offers better financial aid;
• family circumstances require relocation;
• the school experiences serious disruption; or
• the student wants to pursue a different educational level.

A change that makes academic sense may now require a separate immigration analysis.

Graduate Students Face Much Stricter Transfer Rules

The restrictions are particularly important for master’s and doctoral students.

Graduate-level students generally face much stricter limitations on changing educational objectives or transferring institutions during their programs unless an authorized exception applies.

This could become a major issue when:

• a Ph.D. adviser leaves the university;
• research funding disappears;
• a laboratory closes;
• a student’s research interests change;
• a student develops a conflict with an adviser;
• a better doctoral program becomes available; or
• personal circumstances require moving to another part of the country.

Historically, transferring a SEVIS record could resolve many of these situations.

Under the new framework, graduate students should obtain immigration guidance before committing to a transfer or program change.

Can I Get a Second Master’s Degree in F-1 Status?

The rule also imposes a significant restriction on pursuing multiple degrees at the same educational level.

A student who completes a program in the United States in F-1 status after the rule takes effect generally cannot use F-1 status to begin another program at the same or a lower educational level.

Examples include:

• bachelor’s → master’s: generally possible;
• master’s → Ph.D.: generally possible;
• bachelor’s → second bachelor’s: generally restricted;
• master’s → second master’s: generally restricted;
• master’s → bachelor’s: generally restricted.

This could be particularly important for international students who historically used a second master’s degree to acquire a new specialization, change careers, obtain additional practical training or maintain lawful student status while pursuing longer-term employment options.

The rule applies prospectively, which means programs completed before the effective date are treated differently from programs completed afterward.

Students considering a second degree should analyze the rule before enrolling or transferring a SEVIS record.

What About Day 1 CPT and Repeated Master’s Programs?

The same-level degree restriction could have significant consequences for some students pursuing consecutive master’s programs, including students considering programs associated with so-called Day 1 CPT.

The final rule does not simply say that CPT is prohibited.

Instead, the more fundamental issue may arise earlier: whether the student is eligible to pursue another program at the same educational level in F-1 status at all.

For example, a student who completes a master’s degree after September 15, 2026 and then wants to begin another master’s program may face a same-level educational restriction before CPT eligibility is even considered.

Students considering a second master’s program should therefore evaluate both:

1. whether F-1 status is available for the new program; and
2. whether any proposed CPT complies with the separate CPT requirements.

What About English-Language Students?

Students engaged in stand-alone English-language training face another new restriction.

The final rule establishes an aggregate 24-month limit for certain English-language-training programs.

Changing schools does not necessarily restart the clock.

Nor should students assume that leaving the United States briefly and returning will automatically allow another full 24-month period.

Students pursuing long-term ESL or other language programs should therefore calculate their cumulative participation carefully.

What Happens to F-2 Spouses and Children?

F-2 dependents are also affected.

A spouse or child in F-2 status generally cannot receive a period of authorized stay beyond the authorized stay of the principal F-1 student.

That means families must begin paying much closer attention to every family member’s I-94.

Do not assume the F-2 spouse or child’s record automatically matches the principal student’s record.

After international travel, families should check each person’s I-94 individually.

Why the I-94 Becomes One of the Most Important Documents an F-1 Student Has

Under D/S, many international students rarely looked at their electronic I-94 after entering the United States.

That habit needs to change.

Under the new system, the I-94 expiration date may affect:

• whether an extension of stay is required;
• whether the student can continue studying;
• whether employment can continue;
• when unlawful presence may begin;
• whether international travel is advisable;
• whether a change of status can be filed inside the United States; and
• whether future visa or green-card applications may be affected.

Every international student should know how to retrieve a current I-94 from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

After every entry into the United States, check it.

If the I-94 contains an error, address the problem promptly rather than waiting until an immigration filing reveals it months or years later.

What Happens If an F-1 Student Misses the I-94 Expiration Date?

This may be the most serious long-term consequence of replacing D/S.

Under the old D/S system, determining when unlawful presence began for some F-1 students could be complicated because there was no specific expiration date on the I-94.

The fixed-period system creates a much clearer deadline.

Remaining beyond an authorized admission period can result in unlawful presence beginning to accrue.

That matters because unlawful presence can create serious immigration consequences, particularly when a person later departs the United States.

An overstay can also affect:

• future visa applications;
• eligibility to extend or change nonimmigrant status;
• readmission to the United States;
• adjustment of status in some circumstances; and
• long-term immigration strategy.

Students should therefore treat the I-94 expiration date with the same seriousness that H-1B, L-1, O-1 and other fixed-status nonimmigrants have long treated their I-94 expiration dates.

What Happens If USCIS Denies My F-1 Extension?

This is another reason students should not treat Form I-539 as a routine administrative filing.

A timely filed extension may allow a student to remain while USCIS decides the application.

But if USCIS denies the extension after the student’s prior authorized period has already expired, the consequences can become immediate.

The final rule generally does not create a fresh 30-day grace period simply because USCIS denied the extension.

Depending on the circumstances, unlawful presence may begin accruing after the denial.

A student can therefore have a legitimate academic reason to continue a degree and still face a serious immigration problem if the extension filing is late, incomplete or denied.

Can I Travel While My F-1 Extension Is Pending?

Possibly, but travel during a pending extension requires careful analysis.

A departure does not necessarily destroy every pending F-1 extension application automatically.

However, whether USCIS continues adjudicating the case can depend on the timing of the trip, the student’s existing admission period, the I-20 presented on return and the period of admission requested at the port of entry.

A student who leaves the United States while an I-539 is pending should therefore understand the consequences before traveling.

What If I Finish My Degree Earlier Than My I-20 or I-94 Expiration Date?

Students should not assume that a later date printed on an immigration document always permits them to remain until that date.

If a student completes a program earlier than expected, the DSO may be required to update the SEVIS record and shorten the program end date.

That can affect when the student’s departure period begins.

This issue can arise when a student:

• graduates early;
• completes dissertation requirements sooner than expected;
• ends a research program;
• withdraws;
• stops practical training; or
• otherwise finishes the qualifying educational activity earlier than anticipated.

The student’s immigration timeline may therefore change when the underlying academic program changes.

Seven Common F-1 Scenarios Under the New 2026 Rule

Scenario 1: Current Student With D/S Who Does Not Travel

You are in the United States on September 15, 2026 in valid F-1 status and your I-94 says D/S.

Likely result: You generally remain covered by the transition provisions rather than automatically receiving a four-year expiration date.

Scenario 2: Current D/S Student Travels During Winter Break

You leave the United States after the rule takes effect and return to continue your program.

Likely result: CBP will generally admit you under the new fixed-period system. Check the new I-94 immediately after returning.

Scenario 3: New Five-Year Ph.D. Student Arrives After September 15

Your I-20 reflects a program expected to last five years.

Likely result: A single academic admission will generally not cover the entire five-year program. You should plan in advance for an extension or later new period of admission.

Scenario 4: Student Needs an Extra Semester

Your thesis, dissertation or other academic requirements will not be completed before your authorized stay expires.

Likely result: Work with your DSO and determine whether a timely I-539 extension is required.

Scenario 5: Student Graduates and Wants OPT

Your current fixed admission period will not cover the entire requested OPT period.

Likely result: You may need both an I-765 and an I-539 unless a transition provision applies.

Scenario 6: Master’s Student Wants Another Master’s Degree

You complete a master’s program after the rule takes effect and want to begin another master’s program.

Likely result: The same-level educational restriction may prevent continued F-1 status for the second master’s program.

Scenario 7: Ph.D. Student Wants to Transfer Universities

Your adviser moves, research funding ends or you receive a better offer from another university.

Likely result: The graduate-transfer restriction may prevent the transfer unless you qualify for an authorized exception.

What Should F-1 Students Do Before September 15, 2026?

Students do not need to panic, but they should become much more deliberate about their immigration records.

1. Download Your Current I-94

Determine whether your record shows D/S or a fixed expiration date.

2. Review Your Form I-20

Confirm the:

• program start date;
• program end date;
• educational level;
• school;
• major;
• OPT or STEM OPT recommendation, if applicable; and
• travel endorsement.

3. Compare Your I-20, I-94 and EAD

These documents do not necessarily expire on the same date.

4. Review International Travel Plans

Travel after the effective date may move a student from D/S transition protection into the new fixed-period system.

5. Review Upcoming OPT and STEM OPT Deadlines

Students filing during the transition period should determine whether an I-539 is required.

6. Think Before Changing Schools or Degree Programs

An academic decision can now have immigration consequences that did not previously exist in the same form.

7. Calendar Your Immigration Deadline Early

Do not begin analyzing an extension only a few weeks before the I-94 expires.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New F-1 D/S Rule

Is F-1 Duration of Status ending in 2026?

Yes, for admissions under the new system. Beginning September 15, 2026, most F-1 students entering or reentering the United States are scheduled to receive a fixed admission period rather than D/S. Eligible students already in the United States under D/S receive transition protection.

Does my existing D/S automatically expire on September 15, 2026?

No. Students already in valid F-1 D/S status may qualify for the transition rules. They are not automatically assigned a new four-year expiration date simply because the effective date arrives.

Does the new F-1 rule mean every student must leave after four years?

No. Four years is generally the maximum academic portion of one period of admission or extension, not a lifetime maximum for studying in the United States.

Will my F-1 I-94 now have an expiration date?

For students admitted under the new system, generally yes. That Admit Until Date becomes critical.

What happens if my I-20 is valid longer than my I-94?

You may need an extension of stay even though the school considers your academic program ongoing.

Can F-1 students file Form I-539?

Yes. Students who need additional F-1 time may be able to use Form I-539 to request an extension of stay.

Can I keep studying while my I-539 is pending?

A student who timely files a qualifying extension may generally continue pursuing a full course of study while USCIS decides the case.

Can I work while my I-539 is pending?

It depends on the employment category. Study authorization, immigration status and employment authorization are related but legally separate issues.

Does the rule eliminate OPT?

No.

Does the rule eliminate STEM OPT?

No.

Do I need an I-539 for OPT?

Possibly. Students whose existing authorized stay does not cover the requested OPT period may need both an I-765 and an I-539, although transition relief applies in certain cases.

Does the rule eliminate H-1B cap-gap?

No.

Is the F-1 grace period still 60 days?

Not for every student. The new fixed-period system generally provides a 30-day post-completion departure period, while certain students who remain under their earlier D/S transition admission may retain the prior 60-day period.

Can I travel internationally after September 15, 2026?

Yes, if otherwise eligible, but reentry can move a current D/S student into the new fixed-period admission system.

Can I transfer schools during my first year?

Students below the graduate level generally face new first-academic-year transfer restrictions unless an exception applies.

Can a Ph.D. student transfer universities?

Graduate students face substantially stricter transfer restrictions under the new rule.

Can I change my major?

It depends on your educational level, timing and circumstances. The new rule imposes restrictions that did not previously exist in the same form.

Can I pursue a second master’s degree in F-1 status?

Students who complete a master’s program after the new rule takes effect may face restrictions on beginning another program at the same educational level.

Do degrees completed before September 15, 2026 count against the new same-level rule?

The final rule generally treats the new educational-level restrictions prospectively rather than applying them to programs completed before the effective date.

What happens if I overstay my F-1 I-94?

A fixed I-94 expiration date creates a clearer point after which unlawful presence and other immigration consequences can arise.

What happens if USCIS denies my F-1 extension after my I-94 has expired?

The consequences can be immediate, and students should not assume they automatically receive a new grace period after denial.

The Bigger Change: F-1 Status Is Becoming More Like Other Temporary Visa Categories

For decades, F-1 status was unusual because a student’s ability to remain in the United States depended heavily on maintaining a qualifying educational program rather than watching a fixed I-94 expiration date.

That is changing.

International students will increasingly have to ask the same questions that H-1B, L-1, O-1 and other temporary nonimmigrants already ask:

What does my I-94 say?

When does it expire?

Do I need an extension before that date?

For many students, nothing catastrophic will happen on September 15.

Current D/S students receive important transition protection. OPT and STEM OPT continue. Students can still pursue degrees that legitimately take longer than four years.

But the margin for misunderstanding an immigration deadline is becoming much smaller.

A student may have a perfectly legitimate academic reason to remain enrolled and still face an immigration problem if the correct extension is not filed.

A university’s decision to extend an I-20 will not necessarily answer every question about how long the student is legally authorized to remain in the United States.

That makes coordination among the student, DSO and immigration counsel more important than ever.

Need Help With the New F-1 Rules, OPT, Travel or an I-539 Extension?

Herman Legal Group has represented international students, professionals, universities, families and employers in U.S. immigration matters for more than three decades.

Students affected by the September 2026 changes may need help determining:

• whether they remain protected under the D/S transition rules;
• whether international travel could change their period of admission;
• whether Form I-539 is required;
• how an I-539 interacts with OPT or STEM OPT;
• whether a transfer or program change is permitted;
• how to move from F-1 to H-1B status;
• how to address a status violation or reinstatement issue; and
• what longer-term employment or permanent-residence options may be available.

You can learn more about HLG’s student visa and international student immigration practice, read our guide to the questions F-1 students most often ask immigration lawyers, or schedule a consultation with Richard Herman or another Herman Legal Group immigration attorney.

Important: This article reflects the DHS final rule and implementation information available as of August 13, 2026. The rule is presently scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026. DHS has indicated that it will provide additional notice if the effective date changes. Immigration rules and implementation guidance can change, and individual cases require individual analysis.