Supporting UW International Students Through Changing Immigration Regulation

Significant Changes for F and J Visa Holders become Effective September 15, 2026

 

UW students and scholars on the F and J visas will become subject to updated federal immigration regulations beginning September 15, 2026. On July 17, 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security published the final rule, “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media”. The rule focuses on three main areas:

The rule replaces the long-standing practice of Duration of Status, which allowed students and scholars to remain in the US for the duration of their academic program or research, with an initial fixed period of admission of no more than four years. Those who will not complete their academic program or research by that date will have to apply for an extension of stay to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, or travel outside of the US and return, in order to extend their stay. Additional details of the rule outline allowances for extension of on-campus work and internship authorization while students wait for their extension of stay to be processed, as processing delays are expected given the additional volume of applications to USCIS with this new rule.

 

In addition to the duration of status change, the rule limits changes to educational objectives (major and degree level) for most students on the F visa. Students at the graduate level will no longer be eligible to change their major or degree level, or transfer between schools, unless the change comes at the completion of a degree. Students studying in programs lower than graduate level will not be eligible to change their major or degree level, or transfer between schools, until they have completed at least one academic year inside the US. No student on the F visa will be allowed to pursue a new degree at a lower or lateral level (ie. second bachelor’s) to any degree completed after September 15, 2026.

Finally, the rule reduces the amount of time that a student on the F visa has to depart the US, begin a new degree, or take other action to prolong their legal status from 60 days to 30 days after the completion of their academic program or other authorized stay.

 

As expected with changes of this magnitude, there are ambiguous parts of the rule that will need to be clarified, as well as processes outlined, and it is expected that there will be legal challenges brought to the rule. As more information is gained, ISS will continue to host information sessions for students and the campus and collaborate with campus partners to discuss process updates to best support international students under this new rule.  Students are encouraged to make an appointment with ISS staff if they have questions about their specific situation, and departments who want to discuss how the rule changes may impact them are welcome to contact ISS at uwglobal@uwyo.edu.  ISS appreciates the support that the campus has already shown and looks forward to guiding the students and campus through these coming changes!