D/S Final Rule

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a federal rule change to end “duration of status” (D/S) for nonimmigrants granted entry to the U.S. in F or J status, including dependents. Duration of status refers to the period of lawful stay a nonimmigrant in F or J status is granted upon entry to the U.S. on the Form I-94. The final Duration of Status rule was published Friday, July 17, 2026 and will become effective September 15, 2026.

The International Center is actively reviewing the final rule and will communicate changes and implications to the Rowan community as soon as possible, via the International Center website, emails to affected individuals, and a virtual town hall. More information can be found on Study in the States.

August 10, 2026 Webinar: DHS Final Rule: Information, Guidance, and Support

• We strongly encourage all current F-1 and J-1 students/scholars to watch our Town Hall presentaiton on the final ruling.
• Link to Recording - please sign in using your Rowan University email and NetID password.
• Recorded August 10, 2026 - additional information has come out since then. Please see below for further details.

Update September 14, 2026 @ 5:30pm: The final rule to eliminate Duration of Status has been postponed until further notice. An appeal is expected to be filed. This means that changes to the Duration of Status policy and academic mobility restrictions described in the final rule will NOT go into effect on September 15, as previously expected. The International Center will send clarifying information to students, scholars and departments in the coming days. Full text of the Memo and the Order for Preliminary Injunction is available here.