{"id":15623,"date":"2026-07-31T09:11:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T19:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=15623"},"modified":"2026-07-31T15:21:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T01:21:07","slug":"fixed-admission","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=15623","title":{"rendered":"Fixed Admission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Transitioning from Duration of Status (D\/S) to Fixed Period of Stay<\/h2>\t\t\t

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule that changes how F-1 (academic student) and J-1 (exchange visitor) students are admitted to the United States (U.S). While these changes introduce new immigration procedures, 糖心视频 M\u0101noa remains committed to supporting our international students and exchange visitors throughout their academic journey. Students who maintain their immigration status and stay in communication with International Student Services\u00a0 (ISS) should be well positioned to continue their studies successfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because this is a new federal regulation, implementation guidance continues to evolve. ISS will update this page as additional guidance becomes available. <\/span>Last Updated:<\/b> July 31, 2026.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Disclaimer:<\/strong> <\/span>The International Student Services (ISS) office at the University of Hawai\u02bbi at M\u0101noa provides this information for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date guidance based on current federal regulations, immigration laws are subject to frequent change. The University of Hawai\u02bbi at M\u0101noa is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided or for any consequences resulting from changes in federal policy. It is the personal responsibility of students to maintain their lawful nonimmigrant status. For complex legal matters, we recommend consulting with a qualified immigration attorney.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>

Rule Under Congressional Review<\/h2>\t\t\t

The new policy has been classified as a major rule subject to congressional review. The effective date is currently September 15, but congressional review could change the start date or terminate the rule. Higher education professional associations are urging Congress to halt or overturn the rule, and litigation may be imminent. A rule ending D\/S was proposed in 2018 and overturned in court.<\/span><\/p>\n

ISS will notify all international students if the situation evolves.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>

F-1 FAQs<\/h2>\t\t\t

Impact to F-1 and J-1 Students<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Final Rule modifies the manner in which F and J nonimmigrant students are admitted to the United States. It restricts students\u2019 admission to the U.S. to a fixed period of admission.. Extensions of stay will require adjudication by USCIS and will impose additional fees and processing times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

Group 1: New International Students Entering the U.S. Before September 15, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow will the Final Rule impact my entry into the U.S.?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

F students and their dependents will continue to be admitted for Duration of Status (D\/S) until September 15, 2026. <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t What should I do immediately after entering the U.S.?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Retrieve your electronic form I-94 and review your class of admission and admit until date. Contact ISS immediately if there are any errors.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat happens if I travel internationally after September 15, 2026?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

You will be admitted for a fixed period of admission and provided with an Admit Until Date (AUD). Your AUD will be your I-20 program end date (not to exceed four years) plus 30 days for the period of departure. For example, if your program start date is August 24, 2026, your AUD will be September 21, 2030 (i.e., four years plus 30 day departure period).<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Group 2: Continuing International Students Entering the U.S. Before September 15, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow will this new rule affect me as a continuing student admitted under duration of status?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

F-1 students admitted under duration of status (D\/S) may remain in the U.S. without having to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) until the program end date listed on their Form I-20 but not to exceed November 14, 2030 (four years plus a 60 day period of departure). <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Group 3: Continuing International Students Traveling Outside of the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat happens if I travel outside of the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Current F-1 students can continue to travel internationally. However, any re-entry on or after September 15, 2026 will be admitted with a new fixed period of admission which is their I-20 program end date (up to a maximum of four years) including a 30 day period of departure.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

Group 4: Ending academic program; OPT & STEM OPT Extensions<\/h2>\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>
\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t I will be completing my academic program this semester and plan to apply for Post-Completion OPT. Do I need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS)?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

If your most recent re-entry into the U.S. was before September 15, 2026 and you were admitted for duration of status (D\/S), you do not need to file a Form I-539 application. This is provided that you have timely filed your I-765 application with USCIS on or before March 18, 2027.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your most recent re-entry into the U.S. was on or after September 15, 2026 and your Admit Until Date (AUD) reflects a fixed period of admission, you must timely file both your I-765 and an I-539 application to extend your authorized period of stay. <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs it permissible for me to travel internationally after September 15, 2026?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes. However, if you plan to complete your academic program in the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 semester and plan to apply for Post-Completion OPT, it is strongly recommended that you not travel outside of the U.S. on or after September 15, 2026. Any international travel after this date will require that you submit an Extension of Stay (EOS) and I-765 application to USCIS. <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCan I remain in the U.S. while my I-765 application for OPT\/STEM OPT is pending with USCIS?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

If your most recent re-entry into the U.S. was before September 15, 2026 and you were admitted under duration of status:<\/b><\/p>\n

You may remain in the U.S.<\/span> if you have timely filed your I-765 and your application is still pending on the effective date of the final rule. You would not need to file an I-539.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n