Court Pauses New Rules for F-1 Students: What It Means

On September 15, 2026, new DHS rules affecting F-1 international students, J-1 exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives in I status were scheduled to take effect in the United States.

However, one day earlier, on September 14, a federal court in Massachusetts paused the new rules before they took effect.

As a result, they are not currently being enforced.

Harvard University students | AP Photo

What was supposed to change?

Many F-1 students are currently admitted to the United States for Duration of Status, or D/S.

This means that instead of a specific expiration date, an I-94 may show D/S. A student may remain in the United States during the authorized period of study and practical training, as long as they continue to comply with the requirements of their status.

The new DHS rule was intended to replace this system with fixed periods of admission.

For F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants, the period of stay would generally have been based on the length of the program, but in most cases would have been limited to no more than four years.

If additional time was needed to complete the program, the individual would have had to apply for an extension of stay.

What is happening now?

Because the new rule has been paused:

• the Duration of Status (D/S) system remains in place;

• the new four-year limit is not currently being applied;

• F-1 students do not need to apply for an extension of stay simply because this new rule was published;

• the current framework for F-1, J-1, and I nonimmigrants remains in effect for now.

It is important to remember that D/S does not mean that an F-1 student may remain in the United States indefinitely.

F-1 students must still comply with the requirements of their status, including rules related to study and authorized employment.

Has the new rule been permanently canceled?

No. The court paused the rule while the litigation continues. This is not a final decision on the merits.

The situation may still change depending on how the case develops.

The key takeaway for now: the new fixed-period-of-admission system has not taken effect, and the Duration of Status framework remains in place.

If you are currently in F-1 status and are planning to extend your program, apply for OPT or STEM OPT, change status, or take other immigration steps, your options should be evaluated based on your individual immigration history and current status.

Official sources: DHS Final Rule published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026; court decision in Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al., U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.