Updated September 15, 2026
If you are planning an F1 visa extension or studying in the United States on F1 status, the major immigration changes scheduled for September 15 are now on hold.
On September 14, a federal judge in Massachusetts postponed a DHS final rule that would have replaced Duration of Status, or D/S, with fixed admission periods for F, J and I nonimmigrants.
This means the new fixed-period system did not take effect on September 15. For now, F1 students continue under the existing Duration of Status framework while the lawsuit moves forward.
The ruling does not permanently cancel the DHS rule. Instead, the court postponed its effective date nationwide.
Is Duration of Status Still in Effect for F1 Students?
Under the current system, many F1 students are admitted for Duration of Status, usually shown as “D/S” on Form I-94.
This generally allows students to remain in the United States while they maintain valid F1 status and continue an authorized academic program or practical training.
DHS had planned to replace that framework on September 15. Under the blocked rule, F and J nonimmigrants would generally have received admission periods tied to their programs, with a maximum initial period of four years in many cases.
Students who needed additional time could then have faced a formal extension process with USCIS.
Because the court postponed the rule before its effective date, that new system is not in effect today.
Technically, students extend their F1 status or authorized stay, not the visa stamp itself. Your visa, Form I-94 and Form I-20 still serve different purposes.
F1 Visa Extension and Form I-539: What Applies Now?
Not because of the blocked fixed-period rule.
DHS had planned to give Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, a much larger role for F1 students.
Under the new system, some students approaching the end of a fixed admission period would have needed USCIS approval to remain longer and complete their studies. That requirement is now on hold.
Students who currently hold D/S should not assume that September 15 created a new four-year expiration date or a new extension requirement.
Form I-539 still has other immigration uses. Whether you need to file one depends on your current status and individual circumstances.
If your academic or immigration timeline is changing, Loigica can help you review your status and upcoming deadlines. If you are considering an F1 visa extension, OPT application or another change to your student status, make sure you are following the rules currently in effect.
What Happens to the New I-539 and I-765 Editions?
USCIS had announced new editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 for September 15, 2026, with no grace period for the previous editions.
Those revised forms were announced in connection with the implementation of the new fixed-period framework.
However, the federal court postponed the underlying DHS rule only one day before its scheduled effective date.
Because of that last-minute change, applicants should verify the currently accepted edition directly with USCIS before filing Form I-539 or Form I-765.
We will update this article as USCIS provides additional guidance.
What Does the Court Ruling Mean for OPT and STEM OPT?
The court ruling also changes the immediate picture for students planning Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT.
DHS had created transition provisions connecting some OPT filings with the new fixed-period admission system.
Those provisions are not taking effect on September 15 while the rule remains postponed. For now, students continue under the existing Duration of Status framework.
OPT deadlines still matter. Students must continue to follow current filing windows, maintain F1 status and coordinate Form I-20 and Form I-765 correctly.
What If Your I-94 Says D/S?
If your most recent Form I-94 shows D/S, your September 15 arrival does not automatically place you under the blocked fixed-period system.
The court postponed the rule before it became effective.
You should continue maintaining your F1 status, keeping your immigration documents current and following the requirements of your academic program or authorized practical training.
Do not assume that your D/S admission suddenly became a four-year admission period because September 15 arrived.
Why Did the Court Block the New F1 Rule?
The federal court found that the plaintiffs had shown a substantial likelihood of succeeding in their challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The judge raised concerns about DHS’s cost-benefit analysis, its consideration of less restrictive alternatives, its responses to significant public comments and the connection between the rule and its stated national security and fraud-prevention goals.
The court also found that allowing the rule to take effect could immediately harm international students, universities, and other affected groups.
For those reasons, the judge postponed the rule’s effective date nationwide while the case continues.
What should F-1 and J-1 students review now?
You do not need to panic about September 15. You do need to know which dates apply to you:
- Your most recent Form I-94.
- The program end date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.
- Whether you expect to need additional time to complete the program.
- Any planned international travel after September 15.
- Upcoming OPT or STEM OPT filing dates.
- The correct edition of Form I-539 or I-765 before submission.
- Whether dependents in F-2 or J-2 status also need coordinated filings.
If you saw earlier guidance stating that Duration of Status would end on September 15, remember that those reports reflected the rule before the September 14 court order.
For now, D/S remains in place.
Students should still monitor USCIS guidance, especially if they plan to file Form I-539 or I-765, travel internationally or apply for OPT or STEM OPT.
For an international student, these deadlines can shape much more than paperwork. They may affect graduation, research, employment, travel, and plans built over several years. Knowing your dates early gives you more time to make informed decisions.
If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and are unsure how the new rules affect your extension, OPT filing, or travel plans, contact Loigica to review your immigration timeline and next steps.
What Happens Next?
The lawsuit will continue in federal court.
The September 14 order does not permanently repeal or vacate the DHS rule. Instead, it postpones the effective date while the legal challenge continues.
Future court decisions or government action could change the situation again.
For now, F1 students should make decisions based on the rules currently in effect, not on the fixed-period requirements that had been scheduled for September 15.
Harry Tapias Esq.
CEO, Attorney and Co-Founder of Loigica
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the DHS rule affecting F, J and I nonimmigrants and the September 14, 2026 federal court order postponing its effective date. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.
The rule is currently on hold while litigation continues. USCIS guidance, form editions and filing requirements may change, so applicants should verify current official instructions before filing or making immigration decisions.
Keep learning about F1 Visa Extension
Maintaining F-1 status involves more than the initial visa application. Program changes, employment authorization, travel and extensions can affect a student’s immigration timeline.
Learn more about F-1 student visa requirements in the United States and the legal considerations that may apply throughout an academic program.
Review Your F-1 Immigration Timeline
New admission periods may change when students need to request additional time or coordinate employment authorization. Loigica can help review your current status, academic timeline and upcoming USCIS filings before a deadline becomes a problem.