F-1 Student Status Rule Change

These answers reflect the final rule published July 17, 2026. Some operational details are still pending official DHS guidance. Amerigo will update this FAQ as new guidance becomes available.

What's changing

Today, F-1 students can remain in the U.S. for as long as they're enrolled full-time in their program. This is called “Duration of Status” (D/S), and it has no fixed end date.

Starting around mid-September 2026, F-1 students will instead be admitted for a fixed period tied to their Form I-20 program end date — up to a maximum of four years at a time. Students who need to stay beyond that period will either need to leave the U.S. and re-enter, or apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS.

Why most Amerigo students aren't affected

DHS specifically addressed K-12 students when finalizing this rule. A few things work in your student's favor:

• Most Amerigo diploma programs run four years or less — comfortably within the new maximum, with no extension filing needed for students on track to graduate on schedule.
• SEVP-certified K-12 schools can issue I-20s through grade 12. A student who never travels internationally during their program would only need to file an EOS if they're still enrolled after four years.
• Travel home during school breaks works in your favor, not against it. Each time your student re-enters the United States with a valid visa and current Form I-20, DHS admits them for a new period based on their current Form I-20, up to a maximum period permitted under the regulations. Since Amerigo students already travel home regularly, this update happens as a natural part of your student's routine — most students will never need to file anything.

About visa stamp renewals — important

A visa stamp is different from a student's status. If your student's visa stamp has expired or is close to expiring, it needs to be renewed before their next trip home — a valid stamp is required to re-enter the U.S. after international travel. Nothing about the new rule changes this requirement or process.

The policy does not impact your student’s ability to legally remain in the U.S. with an expired visa stamp as long as their F-1 status and I-20 stay current — the stamp only matters when re-entering after travel. We strongly encourage checking your student's visa expiry date now and booking a renewal appointment at your home country embassy well ahead of your next planned trip, especially given current processing times. Since your student already travels home at breaks, those breaks are the natural window for renewals.

After graduation: the 30-day grace period

The window to depart (or take next steps) after completing a program is being reduced from 60 days to 30 days. Families of graduating students should plan around this shorter window.

For students continuing to a U.S. college or university

Moving from high school to university is still fully permitted — it's exactly what the F-1 program is designed for. The path depends on whether your student travels home between graduating and starting college.

Student travels home after graduation

• Departs within 30 days of their program end date
• Applies for a new visa
• Re-enters the U.S. with a new I-20 from their college or university
• This begins a new admission period based on the university’s Form I-20.
• No extension filing needed
• We still encourage you to contact the International Student Office at the future college/university with any questions — they're the right resource for this process.

Student stays in the U.S. through summer

• Files an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS before the 30-day grace period ends
• EOS involves fees and biometrics
• Provided they otherwise meet all applicable immigration requirements, students may begin university studies while the EOS is pending, though some restrictions apply while it's processing — the university's International Student Office can walk your student through these.

General questions

What is actually changing?

F-1 students will now be admitted for a fixed period tied to their I-20 program end date (up to four years), instead of the current open-ended “Duration of Status.” Students who need to stay longer must either leave and re-enter the U.S., or apply for an Extension of Stay with USCIS.

When does this take effect?

Expected around September 15, 2026 (60 days after the rule's July 17 publication; DHS will confirm the exact date). Duration of Status remains in effect until then.

Does my student need to do anything right now?

For most students: no. If your student is on track to graduate on time from their Amerigo program, no action is needed. Students already enrolled will transition based on their existing I-20 program end date. No separate application is required simply because the rule takes effect.

Visa & travel questions

My student's visa stamp has expired. Do they need to renew it?

Yes — if your student plans to travel home and re-enter the U.S., they need a valid visa stamp to re-enter. A visa stamp can't be renewed inside the U.S.; it has to be done at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Check your student's visa expiry date now and plan to renew during a school break, well before it's needed — processing times have increased, so don't leave this until the last minute.

Can my student stay in the U.S. with an expired visa stamp?

Yes this policy has not changed— a student may legally remain in the U.S. with an expired visa stamp as long as their F-1 status and I-20 are current. But if they leave the U.S. for any reason, including a short trip home, they need a valid stamp to re-enter. Plan renewals during break periods.

What happens to my student's stay when they travel home and come back?

When your student re-enters the U.S. with a valid visa and current I-20, DHS admits them for a new admission period — up to another four years, or their I-20 end date, whichever is sooner. Traveling home and returning is part of the normal routine and doesn't cause any problem with their status. After each return, we recommend checking your student's I-94 record online (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/) to confirm the admit-until date matches their I-20. If the dates do not match, please contact us immediately.

Does the new rule change how visa renewals work?

No. Visa renewals continue to work exactly as before — your student goes to the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country during a break and applies for a new stamp. The new rule doesn't change this process.

Program & enrollment questions

What if my student's program takes longer than 4 years?

This is only relevant to a small number of students — for example, a student who repeats a grade and whose total enrollment exceeds four years. If this applies to your student, please contact us to discuss your case.

Can my student change schools?

Yes. School transfers continue through the standard SEVIS process. Students transferring during their first academic year may require additional approval from SEVP. DHS has specifically recognized that a genuine need to change schools to complete an elementary or secondary education program may qualify for an exception. If your student is considering a transfer, please contact your school's International Student Office before making any plans.

Can my student change their major or educational track?

For K-12 students, this isn't a practical concern — the new program-change restrictions in the rule are aimed at graduate-level students, whose ability to change objectives is limited at any point in their program.

After graduation & university transition questions

How long does my student have to leave after graduating?

30 days from their program end date — reduced from the previous 60 days. Please plan accordingly.

My student wants to go to a U.S. university. Is that still possible?

Yes. Moving from a high school diploma program to a U.S. university is explicitly permitted under the new rule — it's exactly what the student visa program is designed for.

What if my student travels home before starting university?

This is the simplest path. Your student departs within the 30-day grace period after graduation, then re-enters the U.S. with a new I-20 from their university. This starts a new admission period, and no extension filing is needed. Contact the International Student Office at your student's future university for guidance on the new I-20.

What if my student wants to stay in the U.S. between graduation and starting university?

They'll need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS before the 30-day grace period ends. The process involves fees and biometrics, and students may begin university studies while the EOS is pending. Contact the International Student Office at your student's future university as soon as possible — they're the right resource to guide you through this process.

Who should we contact with university transition questions?

The International Student Office or Designated School Official (DSO) at your student's future college or university. They're specifically trained for exactly these questions and will be your primary support for the transition.

Questions?

We'll keep monitoring for additional official guidance from DHS and will update you as it becomes available.

For questions about your student's current enrollment please contact admissions@amerigoeducation.com.

For questions about graduation and university transition: reach out directly to the International Student Office at your student's future college or university.