Fixed Time Period Regulations for F and J Students and Scholars Effective 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." This final rule is based on a proposed rule published on August 28, 2025, and includes many important changes affecting F-1 students, J-1 students and scholars, and their F-2 and J-2 dependents.

ISSS Information Hub

This centralized information hub was created to help explain the main features of the final rule and to provide an overview of how the final rule will impact Brown's international students and scholars. The new rule is complex, and the impacts will differ depending on each individual student or scholar's specific situation. 

To help you understand the impact of the final rule, we encourage you to use the resources on this hub actively. Please check back often, as we will update these pages as information becomes available. 

Below are the main sections of this information hub. ISSS will continue to update and expand on these resources as needed

• A summary of the final rule's most significant changes 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 resources - including webinars, advising sessions, workshops and guides - to support the community before and after the regulations go into effect
• A list of required and recommended action items for the near future that students and scholars can consider taking in preparation for the final rule.

Questions?

ISSS understands that significant regulatory changes may cause deep anxiety and concern. Please be assured that our team here to support you through these changes. If you have questions relating to this final rule, please fill out and submit a Final Rule Question Form, and an ISSS staff member will respond to you within three to four business days.