US universities urge international students to return before new visa rules

Major United States universities are advising international students and scholars to return to the country before September 15, 2026, to avoid complications from new federal immigration rules. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to replace the current “duration of status” system with fixed admission periods for F, J, and I visa holders.

Under the new regulations, students and scholars already in the U.S. by the deadline will generally remain under their current status until their program ends or work authorization expires. However, those who re-enter the country after September 15 will be subject to the new rules, which include a specific “Admit Until Date” on Form I-94. This new system may limit initial admission periods to four years, requiring students to apply for extensions through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they need more time.

Institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, Georgetown, and the University of Chicago have issued various advisories. Harvard has specifically urged F-1 and J-1 holders to be physically present by September 15, while Columbia has suggested an earlier return of September 8 to allow for processing time. The changes may also impact grace periods, with F-1 students entering under the new rules seeing their grace period reduced from 60 days to 30 days. Higher-education groups and labor unions have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the rule, though a preliminary injunction has not yet been granted.