Important Updates

Updated on July 24, 2026

On Friday, July 17th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final rule eliminating Duration of Status (D/S) for F & J nonimmigrants.

The final rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

The OIA is reviewing and analyzing the final rule to understand how it will affect current and future international students and scholars. OIA will post information and analysis here, under Important Updates. We will also host a virtual Town Hall information session for international students and scholars in the near future (date TBD). In the meantime, please review the following analysis to familiarize yourself with some of the key impacts of the new final rule:

Duration of Status (D/S)

Upon admission to the USA, F & J nonimmigrant visitors are issued a Form I-94. The I-94 is each individuals’ record of arrival in the USA, and departure. The I-94also records the Admit Until Date (AUD) for each individual. AUDs for F & J nonimmigrants are currently recorded as Duration of Status (D/S).

D/S means that these individuals are allowed to remain in the USA as long as their immigration status is valid, as determined by the Designated School Official (DSO) who oversees and maintains their SEVIS record at their university.

The new rule will eliminate D/S, replacing it with a system that will admit F & J nonimmigrants for a strict and specific duration of time. Following September 15, 2026, F & J nonimmigrants arriving in the USA will no longer receive D/S on their I-94. Instead, they will receive an I-94 with a specific AUD.

How will the new rule affect current F & J international students and scholars who are already in the USA on September 15th?

• These individuals will lose D/S. Instead, D/S will be replaced with a fixed end date known as the Admit Until Date (AUD). For F & J individuals who are already in the USA on September 15th, the AUD will default to their program end date as recorded on their I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years. 
• Although individuals who are already in the USA on September 15th will lose D/S, they also will not necessarily need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) immediately. When an international student or scholar will need to apply for EOS will depend on their current I-20/DS-2019 program end date. 

How will the elimination of D/S affect F-1 students who plan to apply for OPT? 

• Current F-1 international students who are already in the USA on September 15th, and who do not travel and re-enter the USA after September 15th, will not be required to apply for an EOS if they apply for OPT before March 18, 2027. 
• Therefore, students graduating this fall semester who apply for OPT will not be subject to the EOS requirement. 
• Please be aware: if a student travels and re-enters the USA after September 15th they will lose this flexibility. Anyone re-entering the USA after September 15th will receive an update on their I-94, and they will be required to apply for EOS in order to be eligible for OPT following their program end date. 

How does the new rule impact the F-1 grace period?

• F-1 international students who are already in the USA on September 15th will continue to be eligible for the 60-day grace period following their I-20 program end date, or EAD end date for students participating on OPT. 
• If a student travels and re-enters the USA after September 15th, the grace period will be shortened to 30 days. 

How can one track their AUD?

• For students and scholars who are already in the USA on September 15th, their AUD will become their program end date, according to their I-20 or DS-2019, not to exceed 4 years, plus the 60-day grace period. 
• For students and scholars who travel and re-enter the USA after September 15th, their AUD will be recorded on their I-94 as their I-20 or DS-2019 program end date, not to exceed 4 years, plus the new 30-day grace period. 

What about the “transition provisions” for current F-1 international students?

• Although there are transition provisions for current F-1 international students, these provisions do not represent a true “grandfathering” of the previous regulations. Rather, the provisions only provide very limited exceptions to the new rule:
  1. F-1 international students already in the USA on September 15th will retain the 60-day grace period. If an F-1 international student travels and re-enters the USA after September 15th, their grace period will be shortened to 30 days. 
  2. F-1 international students already in the USA on September 15th who plan to apply for OPT before March 18, 2027 will not be required to file an EOS application with USCIS. However, if an F-1 international student travels and re-enters the USA after September 15th, they will forfeit this provision and be required to file an EOS application in order to be eligible for OPT following their program end date.

Extension of Stay (EOS) Applications

If an F or J nonimmigrant needs to remain in the USA beyond their AUD end date, they will be required to file an I-539 Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS. This will be required for any reason, including delays in graduation, participation in OPT, school transfers, etc.

Are there any exceptions to the EOS requirement?

• Currently, there is only one exception to the EOS requirement, and it applies only to students who will graduate this fall semester and plan to apply for OPT. 
• Students who are already in the USA on September 15th, and do not travel and re-enter the USA after September 15th, will not be required to also file an EOS application with USCIS when applying for OPT.
• This exception is only valid through March 18, 2027. After this date, students who plan to apply for OPT will also be required to apply for an EOS. 

When should one apply for EOS?

• According to USCIS, an individual who must extend their AUD is allowed to apply for EOS at any time. SEVP recommends applying for EOS at least 180 days before the AUD end date.

How can one apply for EOS? 

• Individuals requiring an EOS must first request an updated I-20 from OIA and then apply directly to USCIS using Form I-539.
• OIA expects that USCIS will provide detailed guidance regarding documentation requirements to accompany the EOS application.

How will the new requirements affect individuals with an I-20/DS-2019 program that exceeds four years? 

• These new requirements will also be true for individuals with an I-20/DS-2019 end date that exceeds four years. When these individuals are admitted to the USA, their AUD cannot exceed four years. Therefore, they will be required to apply for EOS in order to be allowed to remain in the USA for the entire duration of their I-20/DS-2019 program dates.
• At UM-Dearborn, this will certainly be true for doctoral students. Doctoral students are always issued an initial I-20 with a program duration that exceeds four years.

EOS application limitations

• EOS applications are not eligible for premium processing
• For students with employment authorization: the EOS application must be submitted to USCIS before the AUD end date. If so, employment authorization will be automatically extended for up to 240 days while the EOS is pending. Applying for EOS during the grace period may extend status but employment authorization will end and not be extended.

Academic Restrictions

The new DHS rule introduces the concept of educational objectives. The final rule imposes new restrictions on educational objectives for F-1 international students. 

• Graduate students are prohibited from 
  • Changing academic program
  • Transferring to another institution
• Undergraduate students are prohibited from 
  • Changing major within the first year of the program
  • Transferring to another institution within the first year of the program 
• All F-1 international students are prohibited from 
  • Reverse and lateral matriculation - this means that when an international student completes a degree program, they cannot start a new degree program at the same or lower academic level
    • Example: an international student completing a master’s degree program cannot begin a new program at the master’s or undergraduate level. To start a second program, they are only allowed to advance to the doctoral level.

Updated 01/23/2026

The Trump Administration issued a new Presidential Proclamation on December 16, 2025 expanding the travel bans that have been in effect since June 4, 2025. There are now a total of 40 affected countries.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Scope of the Ban: The travel bans “suspend entry into the United States” of citizens of those countries as “immigrants or non-immigrants,” including F-1 international students as well as J-1 students and scholars. 

Implications: As long as the ban is in effect, citizens of affected countries will:

1. Not be able to obtain a visa

2. Not be allowed entry to the USA

Therefore, we regret that individuals from these countries will not be able to enroll, in person, at the university. More information is available at this US Department of State page.

We strongly caution affected individuals about making non-refundable payments. Payments may include the university application fee, the enrollment deposit, the SEVIS fee, the F-1 visa application fee, etc. If citizens of the affected countries make these payments, they still will not be able to obtain an F-1 student visa and will not be allowed to enter the USA as long as the travel ban is in effect.

At this time, there is no information available regarding how long the travel ban may remain in effect.

Exceptions: The travel ban applies only to citizens of the subject countries who are outside the USA without a valid visa on the effective date of January 1, 2026. Therefore, the ban will not affect visa holders who are already in the USA. Furthermore, it is likely that the ban should also not affect visa holders whose visa is approved and valid before the effective date of January 1, 2026. 

List of Travel Ban Countries:

• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burma
• Burundi
• Chad
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Cuba
• Dominica
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Gabon
• The Gambia
• Haiti
• Iran
• Laos
• Libya
• Malawi
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Palestinian Authority
• Republic of the Congo
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Tanzania
• Togo
• Tonga
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Significantly, the proclamation also indicates that “no immigrant or nonimmigrant visa issued before the applicable effective date of this proclamation shall be revoked pursuant to this proclamation.” It follows that individuals present in the USA prior to the ban taking effect will remain in lawful immigration status. Moreover, we believe this to mean that individuals outside the USA with a valid visa approved before the effective date will be eligible to travel to the USA in the future.

Online Enrollment
Online enrollment may be a possible alternative for some admitted students. No visa is required for online enrollment from outside the USA. If you are interested in exploring the option of enrolling in your academic program online, from abroad, please review the information available at the OIA Online Enrollment For International Students page. 

The information published in this update is based on our best interpretation of the current situation. The OIA will continue monitoring developments and sharing information as it becomes available. 

Updated 01/23/2026

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamations ordering travel bans on 40 countries (please see update, above), USCIS has announced a pause on the processing of immigration benefits for nationals of the travel ban countries. 

Pause on Adjudication of Benefits
In addition to the travel ban, USCIS has also announced a "hold" on final adjudication of immigration benefits for individuals with a nationality or country of birth that is included in the travel ban list. The announcement indicated that USCIS will conduct a comprehensive review of “all policies, procedures, and screening and vetting processes for benefit requests” for individuals from affected countries as well as a 're-review' of benefit requests that were approved on or after January 20, 2021." 

There is no exception for immigration benefits commonly used in higher education, such as a nonimmigrant F-1 student's Form I-765 filed for Optional Practical Training, a Form I-539 filed to change nonimmigrant status, a Form I-129 filed by an H-1B petitioner requesting extension of an H-1B employee's stay, etc. 

The "pause" in adjudication will likely result in many individuals experiencing delays in the processing of their immigration benefits.

Please note that this is a pause on the adjudication of applications of benefits. Individuals are still eligible to apply for benefits, and are strongly encouraged to apply early.

In preparation for visa application appointments, new UM-Dearborn students are encouraged to review the updated information published at the OIA Visa Interview Guidance page. 

This page shares information about visa application requirements, including new social media vetting considerations as well as guidance for the visa interview. 

Visa applicants must disclose social media accounts on their DS-160, ahead of the visa interview appointment. New State Department procedures require applicants to "unlock" all social media accounts for government review. This means that account access must be set to "public." 

Updated 01/25/2026

F-1 Student Guidelines for International Travel
The OIA urges caution regarding international travel for all international students and scholars. Those who must travel are strongly encouraged to maintain updated knowledge regarding travel requirements and restrictions as these are subject to change with little warning. 

There are currently travel bans in effect (beginning 01/01/2026) restricting entry to the USA for citizens of 40 countries (please see update, above). These bans directly restrict entry to the USA for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars who are citizens of the 40 specified countries.

With so much uncertainty, it is challenging to speculate with accuracy about what might, or might not, take place in the future. Therefore, the OIA is urging caution and patience regarding international travel. 

International students and scholars are strongly advised to adhere to established requirements and guidance when finalizing travel plans:

• Ensure that your required documentation is in order before the date of your return to the USA
  • A current passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity from the date of your return
  • A current, unexpired visa
  • A current and valid travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019
• Keep in mind that
  • Travel restrictions may change with little warning. It is good practice to check updates regularly as your date of return to the USA approaches.
  • When purchasing airfare, consider the need for flexibility. It is good to have airfare that enables you to make changes or cancellations, or which is refundable. Unexpected changes to travel restrictions may disrupt even the best-laid travel plans.
• The OIA is committed to communicating directly, and as quickly as possible, with the UM-Dearborn international community of students and scholars if any changes affecting F-1 and/or J-1 visa holders are formally announced by the US government. 

Government Resources for Consideration 

It is possible that individuals entering the USA will be subject to increased scrutiny at US ports of entry. According to recent developments, we know that visa applicants are being subjected to "social media vetting" and that non-immigrants entering the USA may be subject to increased vetting at ports of entry. This includes the possibility that individuals may be routed through secondary inspection. In secondary inspection, border officers may search travelers' electronic devices (including phones and laptops). Please review the following government sources for additional details:  

• US Department of State page: Expanded Social Media Vetting for Visa Applicants
• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) page: Border Search of electronic Devices at Ports of Entry
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Travel page: F-1 Visa Travel & Re-entry

Considerations For OPT Students 

• If you plan to apply for OPT, please note that you must be physically present in the USA at the time of your application. OPT applications cannot be submitted from abroad.
• In addition to the passport, visa, and I-20, OPT and STEM OPT students are also advised to travel with their EAD and a verification letter from their employer. The letter should verify that the employer is aware of the student's travel and anticipates their return in order to resume OPT employment. 

Please contact the OIA if you have questions about any of these considerations. 

Updated 09/09/2025

On September 6, 2025 the US Department of State announced that applicants for nonimmigrant visas, including F & J visas, should schedule their visa appointments in their country of nationality or residence. Moreover, "applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency."

Nationals of countries where the US government does not routinely conduct nonimmigrant visa application interviews, must apply at the Department of State designated consulate or embassy according to the State Department page. 

Updated October 21, 2025

On October 20, 2025, USCIS issued guidance clarifying the scope of the Presidential Proclamation regarding H-1B petitions, specifically addressing the $100,000 additional payment requirement.

According to the updated USCIS guidance, this payment is not required for petitions requesting an amendment, extension, change of employer, or change of status within the U.S. For example, individuals who currently hold F-1, J-1 or another nonimmigrant status are eligible for a change of status to H-1B within the U.S. without triggering the $100,000 fee requirement. 

Importantly, USCIS also confirmed that beneficiaries of such approved petitions will not become subject to the $100,000 fee when they travel internationally or apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 

The new $100,000 fee is required only for beneficiaries who are either outside the U.S. or who are ineligible for an amendment, extension, change of employer, or change of status within the U.S.

GLACIER Tax Prep is now available for 2026! 

GLACIER Tax Prep Software 

The OIA is thrilled to make the special announcement that GLACIER Tax Preparation Software is now available to UM-Dearborn international students and scholars, free of charge! 

What is GLACIER Tax Prep?

GLACIER Tax Prep is a web-based tax return preparation system designed primarily for nonresident alien students, scholars, trainees, researchers, and other educational visa holders. GLACIER Tax Prep will ask you questions, then prepare the tax forms that apply to you so that you can print, review, sign and mail the tax return and/or other forms to the IRS.
The OIA has licensed access to GLACIER Tax Prep to assist UM-Dearborn international students and scholars in preparing required income tax returns. GLACIER Tax Prep is provided to you for your convenience. You are not required to use GLACIER Tax Prep to prepare your U.S. federal income tax return. The OIA does not provide tax advice and therefore disclaims all liability from the misinterpretation or misuse of GLACIER Tax Prep.

GLACIER Access

UM-Dearborn international students and scholars can create a free account to access GLACIER. Please note, the page is shared by the UM-Dearborn OIA and the Ann Arbor International Center. Follow instructions on the page to create your free GLACIER account. 

Additional Tax Resources

Students and scholars can find additional tax resources at the Work as an International Student page. These include:

• Information about upcoming webinars and workshops
• Links to external resources
• The OIA tax info presentation, Tax Time

Updated February, 2026

How Can F-1 International Students Identify and Avoid Scams?

Unfortunately, scammers often target international students. Under false pretenses, scammers often pretend to be a government agent or a prospective employer in order to trick international students into making payments, sharing sensitive documents, or revealing personal information. Students must be vigilant. Therefore, the OIA has prepared the following information to assist students in identifying and avoiding scams. 

Identifying Suspicious Email 

All students need to be vigilant and careful to avoid becoming targets of scams. Students can learn about how to identify scams and suspicious communications on the UM Safe Computing page about Phishing and Suspicious Email. 

Immigration Scams 

International students should always be suspicious of unexpected communications from government officials. If you ever receive a phone call or email from someone claiming to be a government official, demanding money and threatening deportation, do not engage. End the communication and contact the OIA immediately. Here are a few tips and read flags that will help you identify scammers: 

• Government agencies such as ICE or USCIS will never contact international students by phone or email
• Government agencies will never demand payment via phone
• A US government agent from DHS will never threaten your family or friends with deportation or criminal charges
• A real agent will never try to deliberately intimidate or scare you
• Major Red Flags:
  • If the caller demands payment in the form of gift cards
  • If the caller tells you that "you are not allowed to speak with anyone about your case" 

If you receive a worrisome communication, please do not hesitate to contact the OIA. The OIA will be able to evaluate the situation and provide you with advice and assistance. 

Employment Scams 

International students are often targeted by scammers who make false offers of employment. Here are some tips to help students identify fraud before it is too late: 

• Always be suspicious of unsolicited offers of employment
  • You will not be offered jobs for which you have not applied
  • Scammers make random offers of employment hoping that the surprising and seemingly good news will trick students into revealing sensitive information
• Employers will never require payment in order to be able to complete an offer of employment
  • This is a major red flag which should cause you to question the legitimacy of the job offer
• Scammers will sometimes impersonate UM email addresses, making it seem that he communication is coming from a real UM professor or staff
  • If you receive an unusual and unsolicited communication from a UM professor or staff, always follow up directly with that individual to confirm the legitimacy of the communication
  • Contact the individual directly, do not reply to the suspicious email or notify the OIA to contact the individual on your behalf
• Be suspicious of receiving payment via email for work that you have not completed
  • This is very unusual and should raise alarm
  • Scammers will use a false payment to gain access to students' bank account information
  • If receiving unexpected payment via email, always confirm validity before trying to deposit into your bank account 

We hope that this information will help students be vigilant in identifying fraud and scams. If ever in doubt, contact the OIA for help! 

The OIA recognizes that there have been many recent federal announcements and changes affecting international students. 2025 has already been an eventful year for international education.

In light of so many changes, below we share information and strategies for mitigating the impact of change that is often out of our control. You are a valued part of the UM-Dearborn community and we are glad you are here!

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Maintain status
As you are aware, there are specific requirements for those in F or J immigration status. As always, it remains important to understand and follow these requirements. These are explained in detail on the OIA website which you can review at any time. 

Ask the OIA questions
We are here to help and advise. There are some scenarios where, based on a number of different factors (e.g. degree/major, field of expertise, country of citizenship, immigration history), individualized advice may be merited. It is important to understand that if there are proposed changes, they may not apply to you or your visa type or situation. Please feel free to always connect with the OIA if you are feeling concerned or confused about immigration regulations, or if you simply have questions. 

Apply as early as possible
If you are applying for a visa or for immigration benefits, such as OPT, it is important to apply early. Processing times vary, and are influenced by a variety of factors, including policy and regulatory changes and staffing levels. It is important to factor in potential delays in processing when applying for specific immigration benefits or visas.

Report an RFE
If you have applied for a benefit related to your immigration status and receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) or other unexpected communication from USCIS, you should contact the OIA for assistance to make sure that you provide a prompt and accurate response. This will also help the OIA track the number and details of the RFEs received by our population. While the request may seem simple (for instance, a F-1 student receiving an RFE for their transcripts, after applying for OPT), having an OIA staff member review it before you respond may save additional time or prevent further requests.

Plan ahead for international travel
If you have planned or are considering travel outside the USA, make sure you have reviewed any travel related guidance for your visa type. At this time, there is a travel ban in effect impacting citizens of 19 countries. For specific details, please review the Important Update regarding the travel ban, above. International students considering international travel, even when they are not citizens of the countries affected by current travel restrictions, are strongly advised to exercise extra caution. 

Ensure you have your immigration documents while traveling within the USA
As always, if you are travelling in the USA at some distance from UM, the OIA recommends carrying your immigration documents with you.

Avoid poor sources of information
Consider the source of your information carefully as rumors and misinformation can cause undue concern. For example, social media and news outlets may not provide accurate information about policy changes, nor address important differences in the myriad of visa types.

Realize that your well-being matters
Some individuals may feel apprehensive about changes that might happen in the USA. We understand that uncertainty can create feelings of anxiety. We encourage you to be mindful of your overall well-being and take advantage of the opportunities at UM-Dearborn that are of interest to you. This includes campus health & wellness resources, the UM-Dearborn Wellness Center, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and more. 

The OIA will continue to monitor and inform the community of any specific and relevant changes in policies or regulations. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an updated interim final registration regulation on 03/12/2025, which is set to take effect on April 11, 2025. As this is an "interim" final regulation, DHS may provide further clarification and guidance in the future.

Key Points of the New Regulation:

1. Registration Requirement: The longstanding requirement remains that non-U.S. citizens over the age of 18 must at all times be able to provide evidence of their “registration,” such as their I-94, EAD, or green card, while in the U.S.
   • Note that if USCIS issued a Form I-797A with a new I-94 section, the paper I-94 replaces your online I-94 record, which does not get updated.
      
2. New Re-Registration Requirement for Individuals Turning 14: A new requirement has been issued, mandating:
   • Anyone turning 14 years old while they are physically present in the U.S. must apply for re-registration within 30 days after their birthday.
   • While the new regulation is ambiguous on the required deadline for compliance and requires further clarification from DHS, it is recommended that any person in a valid immigration status, including those in a dependent immigration status (e.g., F-2, J-2, H-4, TD, etc.), who has turned 14 since their last entry into the U.S. re-register before the effective date of the new, interim final rule, April 11, 2025.
     1. Children under age 14 are not required to re-register until they turn 14.
     2. Individuals who traveled internationally, re-entered the U.S. and were issued a new I-94 after their 14th birthday do not need to re-register.

How to Re-Register:

• Step 1: Create a USCIS online account to submit the form.
• Step 2: Submit Form G-325R online with USCIS
• Step 3: USCIS will review your submission to determine if you need to provide biometric information (e.g., fingerprints) at the Detroit Application Support Center.

Upon completion, USCIS will issue new proof of registration to your online account. You will be able to download and print a PDF version of the registration notice from there.

For more information, please visit the USCIS  registration requirement website.