FAQs

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is eliminating “duration of status,” or D/S, the system that has allowed F-1 and J-1 students to remain in the United States for as long as they maintained their status and made normal progress in their academic program. 

Beginning Sept. 15, new students and scholars will instead be admitted for a fixed period: the length of their academic program or four years, whichever is shorter. 

Needing more time will require applying directly to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and awaiting a decision before the extension can be granted.

The rule takes effect on Sept. 15. Because it is a major federal rule, Congress can still review it, and legal challenges are possible, so some details may continue to evolve. Our international services advisors are monitoring updates from the National Association of International Educators, known as NAFSA, and this page will be updated as more guidance becomes available.

No. Four years is the maximum length of a single admission period, not a lifetime limit on your F-1 or J-1 status. If your program runs longer than four years, a doctoral program for example, you can request additional time before your current authorization ends. You will need to plan further ahead. 

Most current students admitted under D/S before Sept. 15, will continue under transition provisions and will not see an immediate change. In general, you will not need to act unless you plan to travel, need a progam extension, or want to make any other changes to your academic objectives.

Watch for a fixed expiration date, called an “admit until date,” the next time you travel and re-enter the country. That date will then govern how long you can stay.

Being further along in a multiyear program does not mean you need to leave the country or immediately file paperwork. If you were admitted before Sept. 15, you continue under transition provisions tied to your current documents.

As your program progresses, your international services advisor will help you plan for an extension of stay well before you need it.

You will be admitted for a fixed period shown on your Form I-94: the length of your program or four years, whichever is shorter. If your program runs longer than that, you will need to request an extension of stay before that period ends. Your advisor will help you track this from the start of your program.

Start with your international services advisor, who can issue you an updated Form I-20 or DS-2019. From there, you will typically either file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel outside the U.S. and return with your updated documents. 

Which option is right for you depends on your visa status, travel plans and personal circumstances. Talk with your advisor before deciding. 

Yes. Travel is not discouraged, but re-entering the U.S. on or after Sept. 15 will move you from the D/S system into a fixed admission period, even if you were previously covered by transition provisions. Talk with your advisor before booking travel so you understand how it may affect your timeline. 

Contact your international services advisor right away. A denial generally ends your lawful status without a grace period, so it is important to understand your options quickly, including whether to consult an immigration attorney. 

We know this is a frightening scenario, and our team is here to help you think through next steps. 

This is now far more limited than before. Undergraduate students cannot transfer, change majors or change degree levels during their first year, except in extenuating circumstances approved by the federal government. 

Graduate students cannot make these changes at any point during their current program. Talk with your advisor before making any academic decision that could affect your status. 

No. Under the new rule, you can only move on to a higher degree level, not another degree at the same or lower level. If you are finishing a master’s degree and starting a doctoral program, for example, you will need an updated Form I-20 and, in most cases, an extension of stay before you begin.

Certificate programs may not qualify for F-1 or J-1 sponsorship under the new rule. If you are enrolled in, or considering, a certificate program, talk with your international services advisor as soon as possible so you understand how this may affect your status.

Your eligibility for on-campus employment, CPT and OPT has not changed. What has changed is how long you are authorized to stay in the U.S. while using them. If your admission period will end before you complete OPT or another work authorization, you may need an extension. 

Students already in the U.S. under D/S who file for OPT within six months of the rule’s effective date generally will not need a separate extension of stay for that request alone. 

We understand this is one of the most stressful parts of an already difficult situation. Missouri State is committed to working with affected students on billing questions tied to circumstances outside their control. 

If your student or immigration status changes, talk with your international services advisor and the bursar’s office together so we can walk through your specific situation.

Reach out to International Services with any questions about your specific situation. 

In general, keep your passport current, review your Form I-94 after every trip, and talk with your advisor before making decisions about travel, transfers or program changes or changes to your academic objectives.. 

You came to Missouri State to build a future, and we are committed to helping you get there.