The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a final rule that will replace the long-standing "Duration of Status (D/S)" admission framework for F-1 students with a system based on fixed periods of admission. The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

This change will impact all F-1 students in the United States, including current CCA students and alumni maintaining F-1 status through approved Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the STEM OPT Extension.

CCA International Student Services (ISS) is carefully reviewing the final rule and monitoring implementation guidance from DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Additional federal guidance is expected regarding how these changes will apply to students and alumni who are already in the United States.

At this time, no immediate action is required solely because of this announcement. Please continue to maintain your F-1 status by following all current immigration requirements, including reporting requirements for students participating in OPT or STEM OPT.

ISS will continue to update this page as additional information becomes available. We will also notify students and alumni by email if any action is required or if new guidance is issued by the federal government.

Last Updated: July 17, 2026

ISS will continue to update this page as more information becomes available through government agency updates and publication of resources

DHS Final Rule Ending Duration of Status (D/S)

What is the rule change about?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule that replaces the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) framework for F-1 students with a system based on fixed periods of stay. The rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

Under the new rule, F-1 students who enter the United States on or after September 15, 2026 will receive an Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94 instead of a D/S notation. Students who are already in the United States in F-1 status with a D/S admission on the effective date may be covered by DHS transition provisions.

This rule will affect all F-1 students in some way, including currently enrolled CCA students and CCA alumni maintaining F-1 status through approved Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the STEM OPT Extension.

The final rule also includes changes to certain academic regulations. Because CCA is scheduled to close in June 2027, many of those academic changes are not expected to affect currently enrolled CCA F-1 students. If you would like to learn more about those provisions, please refer to the federal and professional resources linked on the right-hand side of this page.

Important: Your visa expiration date is not the same as your I-94 admission period. The I-94 is the official record of your admission to the United States.

Why does this matter?

The DHS final rule ending Duration of Status (D/S) includes different provisions depending on whether an F-1 student is already present in the US in D/S or enters the US after the effective date under the new fixed-period system.

If you are a current CCA student or CCA alum on OPT or STEM OPT, knowing what your current I-94 shows will help you understand which transition provisions may apply to your situation. (See “Who is covered by the DHS transition provisions during the implementation period?” below.)

If you have questions about your individual situation, contact CCA International Student Services (ISS).

Do I need to do anything right now?

No changes take effect until September 15, 2026.

At this time, no immediate action is required solely because of this announcement.

Please continue to maintain your F-1 status by following all current immigration requirements. ISS will notify you if additional action is required.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS

How do I find out if I am still under Duration of Status (D/S) or have an Admit Until Date (AUD)?

Travel into the United States on or after September 15, 2026 triggers the change from D/S to AUD.

Your Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) shows your legal entry details, the visa type captured upon entry into the US and the date of entry. For F-1 students, the I-94 will show either:

• D/S (Duration of Status) — your entry to the US was granted for the duration of your F-1 status, as long as you maintain your status and follow F-1 regulations.
• An Admit Until Date (AUD) — a specific calendar date indicating the end of your authorized stay period.

To check your I-94:

1. Go to the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) I-94 website:
   https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov
2. Select "Get Most Recent I-94."
3. Enter your information exactly as it appears on your passport.
4. Review your Most Recent I-94 record.
5. Find the field labeled "Admit Until Date."

Your I-94 will show one of the following:

• D/S → Your entry was granted for Duration of Status.
• A specific date (for example, 09/15/2027) → Your nonimmigrant status was granted until that specific date.

How is the Admit Until Date (AUD) calculated?

For students that traveled into the US under the new fixed-period framework, the Admit Until Date (AUD) is generally based on the program end date listed on your most recent Form I-20, not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day grace period.

Who is covered by the DHS transition provisions during the implementation period?

The DHS final rule includes transition provisions for certain F-1 students who are already in the United States when the rule takes effect. Being eligible for transition provisions may benefit some F-1 students and future planning. Please consult an ISS team member about any international travel plans to discuss potential impact, options and important deadlines.

Generally covered by the transition provisions if you:

• Entered the United States in F-1 status for Duration of Status (D/S) (your current Form I-94 indicates "D/S"); AND are physically present in the United States on September 15, 2026, the effective date of the final rule.

Generally not covered by the transition provisions:

• Students entering the U.S. ON September 15, 2026, A student who arrives at a U.S. port of entry on September 15, 2026 is not considered part of the transition population simply because they are physically in the U.S. later that day. They will be admitted under the new fixed-period admission framework and will generally receive an Admit Until Date (AUD).
• Students who enter the United States in F-1 status AFTER September 15, 2026 will generally be subject to the new fixed-period admission framework and are not covered by these transition provisions.

CCA International Student Services (ISS) is reviewing the transition provisions and monitoring additional guidance from DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). We will continue to update this page as additional implementation guidance becomes available.

Can I still travel internationally?

Current travel requirements remain in effect and have not changed.

After this rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, please discuss your specific situation and travel plans with an ISS team member before you travel internationally to review if there are any options, deadlines or impact to consider. Any F-1 student that enters the United States on or after September 15, 2026, will be issued an Admit Until Date (AUD) at the port of entry into the US. Any student that enters the US and receives an Admit Until Date is no longer subject to the allowances of the transition provisions (see question "Who is covered by the DHS transition provisions during the implementation period?").

What happens if I travel outside the United States after the September 15, 2026 effective date of the DHS rule?

If you are a current CCA F-1 student or CCA alum maintaining F-1 status through OPT or STEM OPT and you travel outside the United States after September 15, 2026, your situation may change when you seek to reenter the United States.

Students who are currently in the United States with a Duration of Status (D/S) admission may be covered by DHS transition provisions. However, if you depart the United States after the effective date and are admitted again by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you will be admitted with an Admit Until Date (AUD) under the new fixed-period stay framework rather than D/S.

Before making international travel plans to re-enter after September 15, 2026, consider:

• Your current F-1 status and I-94 admission record
• Your travel documents, including passport and F-1 visa validity
• Your program end date, OPT/STEM OPT period, and employment authorization (if applicable)
• Any additional requirements that may apply under the new admission framework

CCA International Student Services (ISS) recommends consulting with ISS before international travel if you have questions about how travel may affect your F-1 status.

ISS will continue monitoring guidance from DHS, USCIS, SEVP, and CBP and will update students and alumni as additional information becomes available.

CURRENT CCA STUDENTS

How does this change impact me while I am a current student at CCA?

At this time, no immediate action is required solely because of this announcement. You should continue to maintain your F-1 status by:

• Maintaining full-time enrollment (unless otherwise authorized)
• Keeping your passport valid
• Following all F-1 regulations
• Working with ISS if you need a program extension, reduced course load, or other immigration benefit

CCA International Student Services (ISS) is monitoring federal guidance and will notify students if additional action is required.

Has the F-1 grace period changed?

The F-1 grace period on or after the rule's effective date of September 15, 2026, the grace period following completion of an academic program will change from 60 days to 30 days.

If you are already in the United States in valid F-1 status under a Duration of Status (D/S) admission on the rule's effective date, transition provisions may allow you to retain your current 60 day grace period.

Students should continue to plan ahead and consult an ISS team member for any of the following actions:

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications
• Transferring to another SEVP approved school in the US
• Beginning a new academic program
• Permanent departure from the United States

If you have questions about how the transition provisions apply to your individual situation, please contact CCA International Student Services (ISS).

Can I still transfer to another school when CCA closes?

Yes.

Undergraduate students who are eligible to transfer their SEVIS record to another SEVP-certified institution may continue to do so to complete their degree program or to begin a new degree program at a higher educational level.

ISS is closely monitoring how this process will look after September 15, 2026. ISS will provide more information once clear guidance has been released by government agencies involved with the SEVIS transfer process. ISS will continue working individually with students to process SEVIS transfers and provide guidance regarding transfer deadlines and required documentation.

How does this change impact me after I complete my degree at CCA?

Students who complete their degree will continue to have options that may include:

• Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), if eligible
• Transfer your SEVIS record to begin another eligible academic program at another SEVP-certified school
• Please note this is restricted to undergraduates only and the new program must be at a higher level (example: Bachelor's level to Master's level). Transferring into a new degree program at the same academic level is no longer allowed.
• Depart the United States before the end of your grace period

ISS will provide updated guidance regarding any new procedures resulting from the DHS rule.

OPT AND STEM OPT

How does the DHS final rule affect Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the STEM OPT Extension?

OPT and the STEM OPT Extension remain available for eligible F-1 students. The impact of the DHS final rule depends on your individual circumstances, including your Form I-94 admission notation, whether you are physically present in the United States on September 15, 2026, whether you qualify for the DHS transition provisions, when you apply for OPT or STEM OPT, and whether you travel internationally before filing your application.

If you are in the United States in F-1 status with a Duration of Status (D/S) notation on your Form I-94 on September 15, 2026, you may be covered by the DHS transition provisions.

Under these transition provisions, eligible students who file an application for Post-Completion OPT or the STEM OPT Extension during the six-month transition period (September 15, 2026 through March 18, 2027) may continue to use the current application process and may not be required to file a separate Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with their Form I-765 application.

Students who are not covered by the transition provisions, or who apply for OPT or STEM OPT after the transition period ends, may be subject to additional filing requirements under the new rule, including filing Form I-539 with USCIS and paying the associated filing fees.

International travel is an important consideration. If you travel outside the United States after September 15, 2026 and re-enter after the effective date, you will be under the new fixed-period framework rather than Duration of Status (D/S). This may affect your eligibility for the transition provisions.

Important: If you will complete your CCA degree requirements during the Spring 2027 semester, we strongly recommend discussing any planned international travel before March 18, 2027 with ISS, as travel may affect your OPT application process and filing requirements.

Students planning to apply for OPT or the STEM OPT Extension should continue to:

• Follow current USCIS eligibility requirements and filing timelines.
• Work with CCA International Student Services (ISS) to obtain the required OPT or STEM OPT recommendation and updated Form I-20.
• Maintain all F-1 status requirements while their USCIS application is pending.

CCA ISS is continuing to monitor implementation guidance from DHS, USCIS, SEVP, and CBP and will provide updated instructions as additional information becomes available.

I have a pending OPT or STEM OPT application. Is my application still being processed?

At this time, there has been no indication that pending OPT or STEM OPT applications will be impacted because of this rule.

Continue to:

• Monitor your USCIS case status.
• Monitor your CCA email for updates from ISS.

I am currently participating in OPT. What should I do?

At this time, continue to maintain your F-1 status by:

• Following all OPT reporting requirements.
• Reporting changes in employment, address, or personal information as required.
• Maintaining qualifying employment, as required.
• Following all current F-1 and employment authorization regulations.

Please note that under this rule your F-1 grace period after OPT ends will likely be reduced from 60 days to 30 days. Consult ISS about your specific situation

If you are eligible to apply for the STEM OPT Extension, after September 15, 2026 you may need to file an extension of stay prior to filing a STEM OPT application. Please consult the CCA ISS team to review your specific situation.

I am currently participating in STEM OPT. What should I do?

At this time, continue to maintain your F-1 status by:

• Following all STEM OPT reporting requirements.
• Reporting changes in employment, address, or personal information as required.
• Maintaining qualifying employment, as required.
• Following all current F-1 and employment authorization regulations.

The main impact on active STEM OPT participants is the F-1 grace period.

• For those that travel into the U.S. on or before September 15, 2026, an Admit Until Date (AUD) will be issued at the port of entry and they will be subject to a 30-day grace period.
• For those that have not traveled into the U.S. on or before September 15, 2026 and are still under the transition provisions with D/S on their I-94, they will be subject to a 60-day grace period until March 18, 2027 After March 18, 2027, all F-1 students will be under a 30 day grace period.

Please consult an ISS team member to review your specific situation.

RESOURCES

Where can I find updates?

CCA International Student Services (ISS) will continue to update this page as additional information becomes available. Please also consult the information under Resources on the right hand side of this page.

Students may also monitor the following official resources:

Official U.S. Government Resources

• Study in the States (SEVP): Elimination of Duration of Status – Quick Facts
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Access Your I-94

Additional Analysis and Guidance

• International Student Resource Center (ISRC): FAQs for International Students Regarding the Loss of D/S Regulation (PDF)

If you have questions about your individual situation, please contact ISS.