On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors and Representatives of Foreign Information Media. The final rule amends current regulations, ending Duration of Status, and will take effect on September 15, 2026.
We are actively reviewing the final rule and assessing its impact on our international community in coordination with the Office of General Counsel. Subsequent to our review, we will work to provide guidance to those who may be impacted by the final rule as soon as possible, including F-1 students, J-1 students, J-1 scholars, and their dependents. We are committed to supporting you through this transition.
Please note: This change does not impact active H-1B visa holders or Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders).
Given the magnitude of this new rule, the Lewis Global Studies Center will provide many opportunities throughout the year to learn and understand its implications. In particular, save the dates this fall for the following events:
Understanding the End of Duration of Status: Q&A
Wednesday, August 5, at noon EDT | Virtual
(Please see the email from interstu@smith.edu for the Zoom link). Bring your questions, and our ISS staff will do our best to answer as many of them as we can.
LGSC Town Hall: Understanding the End of Duration of Status
Thursday, September 24, at 4:30 p.m. EDT | Weinstein Auditorium
As with past regulatory changes, we will call upon our local expertise to analyze the new rule and its immediate and downstream impacts to Smith and U.S. higher education.