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Announcements : IMMIGRATION UPDATE! Duration of Status (D/S) Final Rule Published - Effective 9/15/2026

Announcement: IMMIGRATION UPDATE! Duration of Status (D/S) Final Rule Published - Effective 9/15/2026

New proposed changes to Duration of Status D/S for F-1 and J-1 categories have been published and will go into effect on September 15, 2026. Read Article for further information.
As you may already know, new proposed changes to Duration of Status D/S for F-1 and J-1 categories have been published and will go into effect on September 15, 2026. These changes will affect current F-1 and J-1 rules and regulations.  
 
Important information to know:
  • At this time, if you are here in the United States as an F-1 or J-1, or traveling internationally and planning on returning prior to September 15, 2026, the proposed changes will not directly affect you.
     
  • If you are a new F-1 student or J-1 starting in the Fall 2026 semester, the new changes will not affect your current I-20 or DS2019 document or visa when traveling and arriving in the United States prior to September 15, 2026.  
Important dates and reminders:
  • The first day of the Fall 2026 semester is September 2, 2026.
     
  • Boston International (F-1) Welcome Day for new students is Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
     
  • Worcester International (F-1) Welcome Day for new students is Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
     
  • Again, these changes will not go into effect until September 15, 2026.
Because the proposed changes were just published, during this time, the IISS is currently reviewing them.
We will provide updates to you, our international community, about these changes and how they may or may not affect you and the University's reporting requirements within the next few weeks.
We thank you in advance for your time and patience with IISS as we provide these new updates.