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What this new rule does NOT mean
Before anything else, let me clear up what is not changing, because there is already a lot of panic and misinformation circulating. This new rule does not mean you cannot stay in the US beyond 4 years. It does not eliminate OPT or CPT. And it does not stop you from progressing from a bachelor's to a master's, or from a master's to a PhD. Those pathways remain intact.
What is actually changing: from Duration of Status to a fixed admission period
Until now, F1 students were admitted under what is called Duration of Status. In practice, this meant that as long as you maintained a valid status and an active SEVIS record, there was no fixed expiration date on your I-94. You could continue to stay in the US without a hard deadline.
Under this new rule — published on July 17th and expected to take effect around September 16th — you will instead receive a fixed admission period. That period is tied to your I-20, and it comes with a cap of 4 years.
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If your program or circumstances require you to remain in the US past that 4-year admission period, you have two options. First, you can file for an extension with USCIS using Form I-539. Second, you can exit the US, get your visa restamped, and re-enter. Neither option is impossible, but both require planning well in advance.
The grace period is also changing
The second significant change involves the grace period after you complete your program. Currently, you have 60 days after completing your studies before you must leave or change your status. Under the new rule, that grace period is coming down. The exact mechanics of this are more complex than a simple number reduction — they touch on current students, transfers, program extensions, and second master's degrees, so the full impact will vary depending on your specific situation.
What you should do right now
This rule has a lot of layers, and the details matter enormously depending on where you are in your academic journey. If you are a current student, a prospective transfer, or someone planning a second master's or PhD, your situation will need to be assessed individually. I will be breaking down each of these scenarios in detail — so if your specific circumstances haven't been addressed here yet, stay close for the follow-up guidance.
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