On August 7, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) completed its review of a proposed rule from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to end “duration of status” (D/S) for certain nonimmigrants.
Currently, most F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa holders are admitted for “duration of status,” meaning they can remain in the U.S. for as long as they maintain their program or activity, without a fixed end date on their I-94.
What the proposal could change
Under the draft proposal (not yet final):
• No more open-ended D/S — Instead, individuals would be admitted until the program end date on their Form I-20 (F visas) or DS-2019 (J visas) or for a maximum of 4 years, whichever is shorter.
• Shorter grace period — For F-1 students, the current 60-day grace period after the program ends would be reduced to 30 days. J visa grace periods would be aligned similarly.
• Extensions required — If you need more time beyond your admission date, you would have to file Form I-539 with USCIS before your admission period expires.
• I visa holders (foreign media representatives) would also receive fixed admission periods and be required to file extensions if needed.
Where it stands now
• This is still at the “proposed rule” stage — it is not in effect yet.
• DHS will publish the proposal in the Federal Register soon, at which point the public can submit comments.
• After reviewing comments, DHS could revise the proposal before issuing a final rule.
• If finalized, it would come with a future effective date, giving time to prepare.
Why this matters
A fixed admission period could mean more paperwork, more frequent filings with USCIS, and possible interruptions in study or exchange programs if extensions are delayed. It also removes the flexibility that D/S has provided for decades.
Our advice right now
• No immediate action is required — nothing changes until a final rule is published and takes effect.
• If you or your dependents are in F, J, or I status, be aware this proposal could affect how long you’re admitted to the U.S. in the future.
• We’ll keep you updated once the proposal is published in the Federal Register and share details on how you can submit public comments if you wish to do so.
We know changes like this can cause uncertainty, but we’ll continue monitoring the situation closely and guide you through any new requirements.