September 2026 F-1 Rule: I-94, OPT & Travel

What You Should Know First

The new framework is scheduled to begin September 15, 2026; a newly issued I-94 will show a date-specific AUD rather than D/S.
For new F-1 admissions, the AUD is generally the I-20 program end date, up to four years, plus a 30-day grace period.
F-1 students already in the United States under D/S on September 15 may keep transition protections, including the legacy 60-day grace period in the described circumstances.
For the transition exception, an F-1 student under D/S who remains in the United States and timely files OPT or STEM OPT I-765 by March 18, 2027 does not also file I-539; reentry or filing later can require both filings.

What Changes on September 15, 2026?

DHS published a final rule scheduled to end Duration of Status (D/S) admissions for F, J, and I nonimmigrants. For F-1 students, an I-94 issued on or after the effective date is expected to show an Admit Until Date (AUD): a specific end date for authorized stay rather than the notation D/S.

For a new F-1 admission, the rule generally ties the admission period to the program end date on Form I-20, for no more than four years, and adds a 30-day departure grace period. A fixed AUD is not your visa-expiration date; it is the deadline that controls your authorized stay after entry. Read the I-94 issued for your own admission.

If You Are Already in the United States Under D/S

The transition rules matter most for current students. University guidance interpreting the final rule says an F-1 student admitted for D/S and physically present in the United States on September 15 may remain through the program end date or EAD end date, plus the existing 60-day F-1 grace period, subject to the transition maximum.

That transition does not last forever. The guidance calculates the outer transition endpoint as November 14, 2030 for F-1 students. More importantly for near-term planning, travel and reentry after September 15 can end the D/S transition and produce a date-specific AUD on the new I-94.

Vinay's practical note

Do not assume your I-94 will change automatically on September 15. Check the I-94 after every entry to the United States. Your physical location, entry date, and the document CBP issues to you matter.

OPT and STEM OPT: The March 18, 2027 Transition Deadline

The final rule includes a temporary exception for certain students who were admitted for D/S and remain in the United States through the transition. If they timely file Form I-765 for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT by March 18, 2027, they do not also need to file Form I-539 for an extension of stay under that exception.

The exception is fact-specific. The University of Arizona’s implementation guidance says a student who leaves the United States before filing I-765 will receive an AUD upon reentry and must then file both the I-765 and I-539. Students who apply after March 18, 2027 may also need both filings. Do not treat another student’s travel history as an answer for your case.

Potential transition exception: D/S admission, in the United States on September 15, no departure before filing, and a timely I-765 by March 18, 2027
Potential added filing: travel and reentry after the effective date before the I-765 filing
Potential added filing: OPT or STEM OPT I-765 submitted after March 18, 2027

Travel, Program Extensions, Transfers, and Grace Periods

The final rule does not ban international travel, but returning after September 15 can change the admission framework that applies to you. Ask your DSO to review your I-20, travel dates, pending filings, and expected program or EAD end date before you depart. A valid visa stamp alone does not tell you what AUD CBP will issue.

The rule also reduces the standard F-1 grace period after completion of study or post-completion practical training from 60 days to 30 days for students subject to the new fixed-AUD framework. The transition rules may preserve a 60-day grace period for qualifying current D/S students until they travel and reenter or receive an extension of stay.

DHS also added restrictions on certain transfers and educational-objective changes. Because those rules depend on degree level, timing, and narrow exceptions, confirm the plan with your school before changing programs or transferring.

A Safe Planning Checklist for F-1 Students

This rule makes personal dates more important, not less. Your I-20, I-94, EAD, SEVIS history, travel date, and filing date can all affect the next step. Track those documents before you book a flight or start an application.

This guide is educational, not individual legal advice. If an AUD could expire, your OPT filing is close to March 18, 2027, or you have a pending change of status or cap-gap question, get case-specific guidance from your DSO and qualified immigration counsel before the deadline.

Your Action Checklist

Download your current I-94 and save it with your passport, I-20, EAD, and USCIS notices.

If you are considering travel on or after September 15, ask your DSO how reentry could affect your AUD and OPT filing plan.

If you expect to file OPT or STEM OPT, calendar both the ordinary filing window and the March 18, 2027 transition deadline.

After each entry, confirm the new I-94 record before relying on a prior D/S admission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing the visa-stamp expiration date with the I-94 Admit Until Date.
Assuming every current F-1 student automatically moves to a 30-day grace period on September 15.
Traveling or filing after the transition deadline without reviewing whether I-539 is also needed.
Using a general internet answer instead of the DSO’s advice for a transfer, program extension, or change of level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do current F-1 students need to leave the United States on September 15, 2026?

No. Current students admitted for D/S who are physically present in the United States on the effective date have transition rules. Their exact authorized stay depends on their program or EAD dates, travel, and other actions, so they should review the rule with their DSO.

Will my I-94 automatically change from D/S to a date?

Not necessarily. Guidance for current D/S students says the I-94 does not automatically change immediately. Travel and reentry after September 15, a later OPT filing, or other actions can result in a new date-specific AUD.

Do I need I-539 with my OPT I-765?

It depends. The transition exception can remove the I-539 requirement for qualifying D/S students who remain in the United States and timely file by March 18, 2027. Travel before filing or a later filing may require both. Confirm your facts with your DSO and counsel.

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

The rule does not itself eliminate the general cap-gap policy. A fixed AUD can add timing questions, so eligible students should coordinate early with the DSO, employer, and qualified immigration counsel.

Official Sources

Rules can change. We checked this guide against the primary sources below; always open the current form instructions or agency page before acting.

September 15, 2026 F-1 Rule: I-94 Dates, OPT, and Travel Explained