Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is monitoring federal changes to Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 students. Originally scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, these regulations will change how long many international students are admitted to the United States and will require additional planning throughout a student's academic career.  

While many aspects of studying at GVSU would remain the same, students may need to work more closely with both their academic advisor and the International Student Services (ISS) Team when making academic decisions that could affect their graduation timeline or immigration record.  

Our goal is to help students plan early, remain in compliance with federal regulations, and continue taking advantage of the many academic opportunities available at GVSU. 

• D/S Town Halls
• Change Major/Program
• Transfers
• International Travel
• Extension of Stay (EOS)

• Submit I-94
• On-Campus Work Authorization
• CPT Work Authorization
• OPT Work Authorization
• STEM Work Authorization

• Terminology
• Important Dates
• USCIS Applications & Fees

Watch the Duration Status Town Hall recording to review everything that was covered. Please note that access is restricted to GVSU accounts, so you'll need to sign in with your GVSU email to view the video.

Regardless of whether the iStudent has been issued an AUD or is still under D/S, effective September 15, 2026 the following regulatory limitations apply to all F-1 and J-1 students.

USCIS will only allow exceptions to these regulations in extremely extenuating circumstance such as a school closure. 

• Graduate students are not permitted to change their program at any time during degree
• Undergraduate students are not permitted to change their major until after the completion of their first academic year (2 full-time semesters)
  • Permitted changes after 1 year:
    • Changing Majors
    • Adding a second Major or Minor
  • Please consult with ISS Team before changing or adding majors

• Graduate students are only permitted to transfer to another US institution after degree completion and if progressing to a higher level
  • Permitted Example: F-1 graduates with Masters degree can transfer to another school to pursue a PhD program
  • Not Permitted Example: F-1 graduates with Masters degree cannot transfer to another school to pursue a second Masters or another Bachelors or Associates
• Undergraduate students are only permitted to transfer to another US institution after:
  • completion of one academic year at GVSU (2 full-time semesters), or
  • degree completion, only if transferring to begin a higher degree level
    • Permitted Example: F-1 graduates with Bachelors degree can transfer to another school to pursue a Masters program
    • Not Permitted Example: F-1 graduates with Bachelors degree cannot transfer to another school to pursue a second Bachelors or an Associates

• Contact ISS Team at least 9 months prior to the AUD for further guidance. 
• EOS applications to extend the Program End Date can be filed with USCIS a maximum of 180 days (6 months).
• EOS applications for work authorizations following graduation must be filed concurrently with the relevant OPT/STEM applications.
• ISS requires EOS requests be submitted at least 30 days (1 month) prior to the AUD.

The previously established work authorization regulations are unchanged. The new rule adds additional processes and limitations as outline below. As a reminder: 

The F-1 & J-1 student visa statuses permit work on-campus as follows: 

• 20 hours/week during full-time semesters 
• 40 hours/week during breaks (Spring, Winter (Summer in most cases)) 

When the CPT role is in the iStudent's field of study and the iStudent meets all requirements, students can begin working ONLY after they are: 

• Authorized for Part-time CPT up to 20 hours/week 
• Authorized for Full-time CPT up to 40 hours/week

• Admit Until Date (AUD): Fixed Period of Stay as set by USCIS or CBP 
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Branch of the Department of Homeland Security that secures borders including airports and land crossing points.  
• Duration of Status (D/S): ongoing permission to remain in the U.S. providing iStudent maintains status 
• Extension of Stay (EOS): application to  
• iStudents: short-hand for International Students who are defined as F-1 and J-1 status holders 
• Reduced Courseload (RCL): permission for an iStudent to take less than the required full courseload during a semester 
• United Status Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): agency under the Department of Homeland Security that handles immigration, work permits, and citizenship 

• September 15, 2026: effective date of new regulations impacting international students’ permitted time inside the U.S., ability to change degree levels, and transfer between schools.  
• March 18, 2027: last day for students inside the U.S. under D/S to apply for OPT/STEM without an additional EOS application 
• November 14, 2030: last day for students who remain inside the U.S. since September 15, 2026 to continue under D/S, providing they are still maintaining status and have not passed their Program End Date.

Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status: I-539 

• Purpose: iStudents must submit this form to USCIS to request an EOS 
• Filing Fee: $420 

Application for Employment Authorization: I-765 

• Purpose: iStudents must submit this form to USCIS to request OPT/STEM work authorization 
• Online Filing Fee: $470 

Request for Premium Processing: I-907 

• Purpose: certain applications can pay for expedited decisions using this form 
• Filing Fee: $1,780