Office of Global Engagement
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Duration of Stay

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published the final version of a new rule that will change the way F and J visa holders are admitted to the United States. This change will affect almost all international students and scholars at UNMC. 

The new rule replaces what was previously referred to as ‘duration of status’ (identified on the I-94 as D/S found in the “Admit Until Date” section), a long-standing, flexible practice of admitting F and J international students and scholars to the U.S. without a fixed end date. This updated rule now means that all F and J visa holders will be admitted to the U.S. with a fixed end date. It will also require any request to extend a student's or scholar’s immigration status to be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The rule goes into effect 60 days from the published date of July 17, which is September 15, 2026. 

This is a significant rule change that will require new procedures, additional processing time and understanding of important immigration policies and documents. Students and scholars making their initial entry into the U.S. will be most directly impacted by these changes in this upcoming fall and spring semesters, but those continuing current programs also need to be aware that it will eventually affect their status in various ways. 

Some of the more important aspects of this new rule that we are aware of include:

  • Students and scholars seeking F-1 or J-1 status on or after September 15, 2026, will be admitted to the U.S. for a period of no more than four years and will have their entry to the U.S. restricted to no more than four years or for the duration of their academic or research program based on the end date of their I-20 or DS-2019 form — regardless of degree level (including PhD programs). 
  • Students and scholars already in the U.S. on September 15, 2026, will be transitioned to a fixed period of stay, which is no longer than four years from the final rule effective date or their I-20 or DS-2019 form’s end date, whichever is shorter.
  • Extending a J or F visa program will require explicit approval from the federal government through a petition to the USCIS.
  • Any current F or J visa holders who leave the U.S. after the effective date of the new rule will be subject to a fixed period of stay upon re-entry.

The UNMC Office of Global Engagement, campus leadership, and university partners are reviewing the final rule and assessing impacts to our international community. We will provide additional guidance soon through webinars, emails, newsletter updates and our website.

(Posted July 20, 2026)