This page contains a summary of the final rule eliminating "Duration of Status" and establishing a "Fixed Time Period of Admission" for F and J students and scholars.
Office of Global Engagement
International Student and Scholar Services
Final Rule Information Hub
This ISSS Information Hub is about the U.S. federal government's final rule published on July 17, 2026 eliminating "Duration of Status" and establishing a "Fixed Time Period of Admission" for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents.
Final Rule Information Hub
This ISSS Information Hub is about the U.S. federal government's final rule published on July 17, 2026 eliminating "Duration of Status" and establishing a "Fixed Time Period of Admission" for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents.
Introduction to the "Fixed Time Period of Admission" Final Rule
Changes to F-1 and J-1 Regulations Scheduled to Go Into Effect on September 15, 2026
On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule entitled "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 is based on a proposed rule published on August 28, 2025, and includes many important regulatory changes affecting F-1 students, J-1 students and scholars, and their F-2 and J-2 dependents. (Read our announcement about the final rule.)
The final rule is scheduled to go into effect on September 15, 2026. Until then, existing regulations still apply. Importantly, the regulations should not impact the ability of students and scholars to come to Brown for the Fall 2026 semester. Please refer to the information below for more details.
How to Use this Information Hub
This centralized information hub was created for the benefit of Brown's community members, to help explain the expected impacts of the final rule. Please note that the information provided here is general in nature; the final rule is complex and impacts will vary depending on each individual's status and situation. Because many questions about the final rule remain outstanding, we encourage you to check back often, as we will update these pages as information becomes available.
Below are the main sections of this information hub. ISSS will update and expand these resources as needed and appropriate.
- A detailed summary of the final rule's most significant changes that are likely to impact Brown's F-1 and J-1 community members
- A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions about the final rule
- A guide to ISSS advising resources – including webinars, advising sessions, workshops and guides – to support the community before and after the regulations go into effect
- A list of steps to take to prepare for the final rule, organized by different groups and situations
As additional information becomes available, we will also post major updates and related announcements to our update page.
Questions?
ISSS understands that significant regulatory changes may cause deep anxiety and concern. Please be assured that our team is here to support you through these changes. If you have questions relating to the final rule, please fill out and submit a Final Rule Question Form, and an ISSS staff member will respond to you as quickly as possible.
This page includes an ongoing list of frequently asked questions about the federal rule for F and J students and scholars going into effect on September 15, 2026.
These are steps that students and scholars can take to prepare for the final rule that goes into effect on September 15, 2026.
In this page we list out ISSS's evolving resources - including webinars, guides, and workshops - to help our community prepare for the F and J regulations effective September 15, 2026.