Duration of Status Regulation Changes

Old Regulations = Duration of Status (D/S)

• As long as a student was maintaining status and their I-20 and passport were valid, they could remain in the United States in valid F1 student visa status

New Regulations = Fixed Date of Admission

• Under the new rules, F1 visa holders are admitted for a specific period of time, not to exceed 4 years

What This Means

• I-94 + I-20 Become the New Defining Documents - Every time you leave and enter the U.S. an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is generated
  • The Admit Until Date (AUD) listed on the I-94 is the date by which you must leave the United States or take action to maintain or change your immigration status within the U.S.
  • Unless the program end date on your I-20 is earlier than your I-94 AUD. Then, the program end date on your I-20 + 30 days = date by which you must leave the US or take immigration action
• If you need more time to stay in the US on the F1 student visa, you must apply for an Extension of Stay with USCIS, starting with your DSO. 
  • USCIS must receive your Extension of Stay application before the AUD on your I-94 or the I-20 program end date, whichever is earlier

Undergraduates

• Must wait at least 1 full academic year has passed to change their major

Graduates

• Cannot change their major/program at all at any time during their program
  • This includes emphasis or specialization

Undergraduates

• Must wait at least 1 full academic year to be able to transfer to a different US school
• Must attend the school for which your I-20 and Visa stamp are issued for for at least 1 year

Graduates

• Cannot transfer to another school at all at any time during their program

Once a student completes degree requirements, they can only move up in educational level.

• For example, once you complete your bachelor's degree, you cannot then complete a second bachelor's degree in the US. Your new program must be at the master's level or higher. Master's students must move on to a PhD or doctoral program.

Cannot change your educational level until you complete your degree

• For example, if you already have the US equivalent of a bachelor's degree, and you are admitted to WTAMU as a second bachelor's student. Then once, you take some classes, you decide that you wish to complete a master's degree instead. You must first finish and be awarded the bachelor's degree before you can apply to the master's program.

Old Regulations: 60-Day Grace Period

New Regulations: 30-Day Grace Period