Global Education Office

Important Changes to the F-1 and J-1 Visa Regulations

On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security announced important changes to some F-1 and J-1 visa regulations.  

The changes will go into effect 60 calendar days after the July 17, 2026 announcement.

Campus Support and Resources

Immigration Services team members are actively reviewing the changes to prepare guidance about them for the VCU community.    

We will share our guidance with the VCU community as soon as possible via:

• Email to F-1 and J-1 visa holders at their VCU Gmail accounts.
• Email to campus partners at their VCU Gmail accounts.
• Updates to the Immigration Services web page.
• Scheduled webinars for F-1 and J-1 visa holders and campus partners.

Please monitor your VCU Gmail account and this website for details!

For now, as we continue to assess the implications of the changes, we encourage you to continue with your F-1 and J-1 activities, including going to class, conducting your research, or engaging in previously authorized employment.  

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the rollout of these F-1 and J-1 visa regulation changes. 

Main Change

End of D/S Admission to the U.S.

On the effective date of the changes, DHS will stop 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, DHS will start admitting F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to the U.S. for a fixed period of stay with a specific end date.

• Undergraduate and graduate students will 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.
• ELP students will 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 will 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 will not necessarily be required to depart the U.S. at the end of their period of admission.

Students and scholars needing additional time to complete their programs will have the option to file an I-539 application with USCIS asking them for an extension of F-1 or J-1 status.

Legacy D/S Admission

Students and scholars in the U.S. with a D/S admission as of the effective date of the change will retain their open-ended D/S admission for a maximum of 4 years unless they depart the U.S. after the effective date.

When legacy D/S admission students or scholars return to the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status, they will receive a fixed period of stay with a specific end date.

Additional Changes

Additional changes announced by DHS include:

• Undergraduate and ELP students will not be able to change their major or transfer schools during their first year without DHS authorization.
• Graduate students will not be able to change majors or transfer schools at any point.
• The current 60-day grace period for F-1 students after their program end date will be reduced to 30 days.
• Upon completing their current program, students can enroll in another program at a higher level, but not at the same or lower level.
• Starting 6 months after publication of the rule, F-1 students who want to apply for OPT or STEM OPT will need to file 2 applications with USCIS: an I-539 application for an extension of F-1 status and an I-765 application for employment authorization.

Please note that this information is not meant to provide legal advice. Complex and/or urgent questions related to individual cases may need to be referred to external legal counsel.