WASHINGTON: Several leading US universities have advised international students to return to the United States before September 15, when new federal immigration regulations are set to take effect.
The changes will introduce fixed periods of admission for holders of F, J and I category visas, replacing the long-standing “duration of status” system that allowed eligible students to remain in the country while maintaining their academic status and completing their approved programmes.
Universities including Harvard, Columbia, Ohio State University, Georgetown, George Washington University and the University of Chicago have warned that the new rules could affect the conditions under which F-1 and J-1 students are admitted and permitted to stay in the US.
Students planning to travel internationally around the September 15 deadline have been urged to reconsider their travel arrangements, as returning before the new rules take effect could allow them to avoid immediate admission under the fixed-period system.
Harvard’s International Office advised F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to ensure they are physically present in the US by September 15. Columbia University recommended an earlier return date of September 8 to provide sufficient time before the transition.
Georgetown’s Office of Global Services issued specific warning letters to students, scholars and alumni, while George Washington University’s International Services Office advised students to check their immigration records on or shortly after September 15 to confirm their new programme-end dates.
The University of Chicago also held urgent webinars to explain the new restrictions on academic mobility and the reduced grace period.
The New Rule
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule, scheduled to take effect on September 15, will replace the existing “duration of status,” or D/S system with fixed periods of admission for many international students and exchange visitors.
Currently, eligible F-1 students are generally permitted to stay in the US for the duration of their approved academic programme, provided they continue to maintain their immigration status.
Under the new system, students entering or re-entering the country will generally receive an “Admit Until Date” on their Form I-94. Their authorised stay will usually be linked to the duration of their programme, with an initial admission period capped at four years.
The changes could particularly affect students enrolled in programmes that often exceed four years, including certain doctoral, medical and professional programmes. Those requiring additional time may need to apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension.
For students already inside the US on September 15 and maintaining valid F-1 or J-1 status, the transition is expected to be less immediate. They will generally be covered by transition provisions and will not automatically need a new admission period simply because the rules take effect.
However, students who leave the US and seek re-entry after September 15 could be admitted under the new fixed-date system and receive a specific deadline for their authorised stay.
The Ohio State University warned that the regulations could affect the length of students’ authorised stays and their ability to complete their academic programmes without applying for extensions. San José State University also raised concerns about possible disruptions.
Another major change involves the grace period following the completion of an F-1 programme. Under the new rules, students will generally have 30 days to remain in the US after finishing their studies, compared with the current 60-day period.
The regulations may also affect students changing programmes or institutions, transferring schools or requiring extra time to complete their studies. Students intending to pursue post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT have been advised to carefully review the new requirements and seek guidance from their universities before making academic or travel decisions.
The policy has been challenged in federal court, where a coalition of higher-education organisations and labour groups has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the rule and obtain a preliminary injunction.
However, unless a court intervenes to delay or stop its implementation, universities are advising students to prepare for the regulations to take effect on September 15.
International students currently outside the US who plan to return for the fall semester are being urged to travel back before the deadline and ensure that their passports, visas, Form I-20 or DS-2019 and Form I-94 are in order before travelling.
