On July 17, the Department of Homeland Security announced it will replace the “duration of status” model for F and J visa holders and their dependents with fixed-period visa allocations.
Currently, the DHS admits F-1 students and J-1 exchange scholars for a flexible amount of time known as “duration of status.” This system allows visa holders to reside in the United States as long as they are making progress toward their degree or other academic and research goals.
The new rule, which takes effect on Sept. 15, instead implements an “admit until date” upon re-entry to the United States that is fixed to the program end date and capped at a maximum of four years. The rule also limits the post-program grace period to 30 days.
The rule will not impact student visa holders returning to Brown this fall, Director of International Student and Scholar Services Andrew Shiotani wrote in a Today@Brown announcement last week. Students and scholars entering the country on or after Sept. 15 will be admitted under the new regulatory framework.
Visa holders hoping to extend a degree, transfer to another school or start a new program must obtain a formal extension to their I-20, an official document issued by U.S. institutions certifying enrollment in a study program. The student may also be required to leave and re-enter the United States to receive a new AUD or obtain a separate extension of stay directly from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Following the rule’s announcement, ISSS launched an information hub to explain the new policies, provide additional resources and advise students on how to prepare.
“We recognize that adapting to new federal immigration regulations can create concern and raise many questions,” Shiotani wrote in the announcement. “The ISSS team is here to support you and to provide our informed guidance.”
The policy also introduces new restrictions on degree and study changes. Graduate students will be prohibited from modifying their educational objective and transferring to another institution. At the undergraduate level, students cannot change educational objectives or transfer schools until they complete their first academic year in the program of study that issued their I-20.
The ISSS plans to complete the transfer process for F-1 students enrolling at Brown in the fall semester before the policy’s implementation date in September.
Under the new rule, students who finish a program on or after Sept. 15 and wish to pursue additional programs will be limited to programs at a higher degree level. For example, a student who completes a master’s program may be prohibited from pursuing another master’s, but may enroll in a doctoral program.
“Because we are still awaiting many details regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s implementation of the rule, we will update the information hub and inform the community as additional guidance becomes available,” Shiotani wrote.
Zarina Hamilton is a university news editor covering activism and affinity & identity. She is sophomore from near Baltimore, Maryland and is studying mechanical engineering. In her free time, you can find her reading, journaling, or doing the NYT mini crossword.
