Brad LeVeck

It took longer than expected but it’s finally here. And yes, it’s brutal: The core change Duration of status (D/S) ends for F-1 students. - You now get a fixed admission end date instead of an open-ended stay. - New admissions are for your program length, capped at 4 years. - If your program runs longer than 4 years, you must file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS. - To stay past your fixed date, you either file an EOS or leave and re-enter. Current students (transition protection) - If you are already here on D/S, you may generally stay until your I-20 program end date. - But no longer than 4 years after the rule's effective date, whichever comes first. - Years you have already spent in F-1 do not count against that 4-year window. - DHS can delay parts of the new restrictions for up to 2 years after the effective date. Extensions of Stay (EOS) - The DSO issuing a new I-20 no longer extends your status by itself. - You must file an EOS with USCIS to stay past your fixed admission date. - EOS filings may require biometrics (fingerprints, etc.). - If you timely file an EOS, you may keep studying full-time while it is pending. - Poor academic progress is generally not an acceptable reason for an extension. - Academic probation, suspension, or repeated inability or unwillingness to finish your program does not justify an extension. Extension denials - If USCIS denies your EOS after your fixed date has passed, you may have to leave immediately. - You may start accruing unlawful presence at that point. - Form I-539 denials have no ordinary appeal (a motion can be filed but does not automatically protect you). For Graduate students - You generally cannot change your educational objective at any point during a graduate program. - You generally cannot transfer to another school during your program. - The only transfer exception is narrow: SEVP-approved extenuating circumstances (school closure, loss of SEVP certification, program elimination, major disasters). - Advisor conflict, loss of funding, or changing research interests are not clearly protected. Undergraduate students - Cannot transfer or change educational objective during the first academic year. - After completing one academic year, lateral changes and transfers become possible again. Degree-level rules - After finishing a program (post-effective date), you may generally only start a program at a higher educational level. - You cannot move to the same or a lower educational level as an F-1 student. OPT and work authorization - After the transition window, post-completion OPT and STEM OPT generally require two forms: I-765 (work permit) and I-539 (F-1 extension). - They can be filed together but are adjudicated separately. - A pending extension lets you keep studying, but new OPT employment generally cannot start until both the extension and work authorization are approved. - If your EOS is still pending after your admission period expires, you may get an auto-extension of existing employment authorization, up to 240 days, but only under severe economic hardship / emergent-circumstance rules. Transition OPT exception (helpful for you) - Current D/S students filing post-completion OPT or STEM OPT within the first 6 months after the rule takes effect only need the I-765, not a separate I-539. Grace period - The post-completion grace period drops from 60 days to 30 days. - Some current D/S students keep 60 days during the transition. - If you end study or training early, you and your dependents must depart or take action to maintain status within 30 days. Travel - If you leave and re-enter after the effective date, CBP will generally issue a fixed-date I-94, moving you into the new system early. - Travel can also affect a pending EOS application. Dependents (F-2) - Your spouse and minor children still each need their own I-20. - Their authorized stay cannot exceed yours as the principal F-1. Language training student's