UO Departments: Guidance Toolkit

Four-Year Limit for Legal Status

Upon arrival to the US, CBP immigration officers will admit F and J students with a fixed 'admit until date' (AUD) on their I-94 arrival record, not to exceed 4 years. This does not mean students must complete their program in 4 years, but they will need to request an 'extension of stay' with USCIS to remain in the US for more than 4 years. 

Who will be impacted?

If a student’s or scholar’s study, work or research continues beyond their I-20/DS-2019 program end date or I-94 AUD, they must file an extension of stay with USCIS.

Who will need to file an extension:

  • PhDs who need more than 4 years to complete degree
  • Undergrads who need more than 4 years to complete degree
  • Students transferring in from another institution
  • Students transferring out to another institution
  • Students changing educational programs
  • Students applying for OPT
  • Students applying for STEM OPT
  • Scholars needing to extend their research period.

Why is this a major rule change?

  • More deadline-driven compliance, advising and record management pressure on students, scholars, and ISSS office
  • Longer, delayed, research-heavy, transfer and professional programs will require closer tracking and earlier extension planning
  • ISSS will have less direct control over continuation of F and J status
  • Students & scholars now solely responsible for knowing their I-94 admit until date and take the steps necessary to maintain legal status
  • Financial documentation will become more important not only at admission and I-20 issuance, but later on when filing for extension of stay with USCIS
  • Incomplete, weak and questionable financial documentation or reason for extension could have serious consequences for a student’s or scholar’s ability to remain legally in the US
  • Students will need to plan for extensions of legal status months in advance and pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars

What do F and J students and scholars need to know?

  • If they are currently in the U.S. in 'duration of status' (D/S), nothing changes as long as they maintain the conditions of their F or J status and will continue to be in D/S through the end of their I-20 or DS-2019 program end date or November 14, 2030, whichever comes first.
     
  • They must file an extension of stay with USCIS if they:
    • Need to extend I-20 or DS-2019 to complete degree or research
    • Apply for OPT or academic training
    • Transfer to another program (restriction on transferring to same-level program)
    • Need to change their visa status
    • Change their educational level
       
  • If they leave the U.S. at any point in their program, they will be re-admitted to the US with a fixed end date and will no longer be under D/S.  
     
  • They are now solely responsible for knowing the Admit Until Date on their I-94 and the I-20 or DS-2019 program end date and taking action before these documents expire.
     
  • ISSS and the university cannot be held responsible if they do not file an extension of stay application with USCIS before their documents expire.
     
  • Each time they travel and re-enter the US, they must:
    • download their I-94 arrival record
    • carry most recent I-94 at all times (also evidence of registration with US gov’t)
    • make note of the I-94 Admit Until Date
    • report their most recent I-94 fixed end date to ISSS
       
  • Plan to file extensions of stay 6-12 months in advance!
     
  • Review the ISSS website for more detailed information and guidance

Restrictions on Academic Mobility

Effective September 15, 2026, F-1 students will face restrictions on transfers and change of educational objectives, and will no longer be allowed to pursue lateral or reverse matriculation at the same or lower educational level.

F-1 Undergraduate Students:

  • may not transfer, change major or change educational level during their first academic year, unless SEVP approves "extenuating circumstances' exception.
  • may not transfer to another institution if disqualified, suspended or expelled from UO and must depart the U.S. and re-enter on a new SEVIS I-20 to begin a new program.
  • may not transfer to another program at a lower educational level.

F-1 Graduate Students:

  • may not change major or educational level "at any point during their program of study', with no exceptions. This restriction does not lift after one academic year the way it does for undergraduates. Exceptions are limited to SEVP-approved extenuating circumstances that may include, but are not limited to, a school closure or a school’s prolonged inability to hold in-person classes due to a natural disaster or other cause.
  • may not transfer unless SEVP SEVP approves "extenuating circumstances' exception.
  • may not transfer to another institution if dismissed, suspended or expelled from their program and must depart the U.S. and re-enter on a new SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 to begin a new program.
  • may not transfer to another program at a lower educational level.

Other Considerations for PhD Students

If a doctoral student does not advance to candidacy, they may be awarded a master’s degree by the university, but under the new rule, their I-20 or DS-2019 cannot be updated to reflect a change of educational level (doctorate to master's). This means the students will be ineligible for OPT and will have to leave the US or consult with ISSS on other viable options.

USCIS 'Extension of Stay' Applications

When to file: Students should file an 'extension of stay' (EOS) application 180 days before their AUD expires to allow for lengthy processing time. 

Cost: $420 for each EOS. Some students may need to file an EOS more than once if there are academic delays, to apply for optional practical training, or to transfer and change to a higher educational level.

Documention: When an international student is required to file an USCIS application to extend their legal status, they must provide evidence to justify their 'extension of stay' (EOS.) We anticipate that most of this evidence will need to come from the graduate program or department, including but not limited to, the following:

  • Financials
  • Study Plans for Remainder of Time to Degree Completion
  • Faculty Bios
  • Departmental Program Links/Information

Filing Guide for Students: Extension of Stay

I-9 Verification

Hiring managers will need to collect and document the I-20 or DS-2019 program end date (PED) and the I-94 fixed 'admit until date' (AUD). The AUD may be different from the PED and is the more important date because this is the fixed end date for legal status in the US.

Glossary of Immigration Documents

I-20 or DS-2019: these are the documents issued by UO to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa, and serve as evidence of maintaining F-1 or J-1 status while in the U.S. The program end date is an estimated end date of a student's degree program. This date can be extended or shortened by ISSS.

I-94: this is the document issued by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) verifying a student's date of admission to the U.S. and their legal status in the U.S. The admit until date (AUD) is the maximum period of admission to the U.S. and is the last day a student is authorized to stay in the U.S. International students cannot remain lawfully present in the U.S. beyond their AUD and must depart the U.S., file an 'extension of stay' (EOS) with USCIS, or take other action to maintain status before their AUD expires.

Visa: this is the sticker affixed to a student's foreign passport by a US embassy or consulate and is used to request admission to the U.S. The validity end date on the visa sticker is the last date the visa is valid to enter the U.S. The validity date has nothing to do with the I-20, DS-2019 or I-94 dates.

What is ISSS Doing to Support International Students

  • ISSS and DGE leadership are actively monitoring all rule changes in close collaboration with our Government Relations team, General Counsel, professional associations (NAFSA, BTAA, Presidents' Alliance) and experts in the field of immigration law.
  • We are working closely with the Division of Graduate Studies to review internal procedures and programs that are affected by academic mobility restrictions and will issue additional guidance to programs and departments when needed.
  • Continue to provide expertise and guidance on maintaining legal F and J status
  • Send reminders to students to request extension of I-20 or DS-201
  • Provide guidance on how to file an extension of stay application with USCIS
  • Case advising support to departments and academic advisors/faculty
  • Information sessions and workshops throughout the year to provide guidance and answer questions
  • Download powerpoint for UO Departments

How Can Depts Support International Students

  • The university recommends that international students seeking information reach out to ISSS, who are prepared to advise on complex immigration matters.
  • Please refrain from speculating or attempting to answer legal immigration questions.
  • Please rely on trusted university sources of communication for verified information by directing all immigration-related questions via established university channels (intl@uoregon.edu). 
  • The Federal Immigration Updates remains the primary resource for all communications issued by the university regarding immigration matters affecting our international community.