Important Changes to the F-1 and J-1 Visa Regulations
In August 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposal to make important changes to the F-1 and J-1 visa regulations.
The proposal then went through an internal federal government process of legal review and revision. That process is now complete.
DHS is expected to announce the final version of the changes soon with an effective date of 60 days after the announcement.
Immigration Services has been monitoring, and continues to monitor, this issue closely.
What are the changes to the F-1 and J-1 visa regulations?
Until DHS announces the final version of the changes, there is no way to know what the final version says or when the changes will become effective.
Here are the main proposed changes:
As currently proposed, DHS would end the practice of admitting F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to the U.S. for an open-ended period of time known as Duration of Status (D/S).
Instead, F-1 and J-1 students and scholars would be admitted to the U.S. for a fixed period of time with a specific end date.
- Undergraduate and graduate students would be admitted to the U.S. for up to 4 years or until their I-20 or DS-2019 program end date, whichever comes first.
- ESL students would be admitted to the U.S. for up to 24 months or until their I-20 or DS-2019 program end date, whichever comes first.
- Scholars would be admitted to the U.S. for up to 4 years or until their DS-2019 program end date, whichever comes first.
Students and scholars in the U.S. on the effective date of the change would have their periods of stay automatically adjusted by DHS to align with the change under the current proposal.
Additional proposed changes include:
- Undergraduate and ESL students would not be able to change their major or transfer schools during their first year without DHS authorization.
- Graduate students would not be able to change majors or transfer schools at any point.
- Schools would not be able to extend a student or scholar’s stay in the U.S. simply by issuing an I-20 or DS-2019 extension to them. Students and scholars who need more time to complete their programs would need to file an I-539 extension of status (EOS) application to DHS.
- The current 60 day grace period for F-1 students after their program end date would be reduced to 30 days.
- Upon completing their current program, students could enroll in another program at a higher level, but not at the same or lower level.
- To apply for OPT or STEM OPT, F-1 students would need to file 2 applications with DHS: an I-539 EOS application and an I-765 employment authorization application.
How can Immigration Services help me navigate the changes?
After DHS announces the final version of the changes, we will communicate with the VCU community about the changes.
Our communication plan includes updates to the Immigration Services webpage, email to F-1 and J-1 visa holders, and scheduled webinars.
The proposed changes are not yet effective.
Once the final rule is published and the effective date of the changes is known, Immigration Services will provide that information.
This information is not meant to provide legal advice.
If an individual would like to obtain legal guidance for a particular situation, they should consult an immigration attorney.