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.
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.
Doctoral students and some bachelor degree students will be directly impacted by this rule change and will need to plan and take action months in advance of their AUD.
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.