Beginning on September 15, 2026, there will be some major changes to the way an individual's F-1 Student status operates within the United States. On this date, DHS is going to replace the "Duration of Status" (D/S) system, which has been the standard system for F-1 Students since its inception, with a "Fixed Period of Admission," along with implementing several new rules that affect University Transfers, Program Extensions, Academic Progression, OPT, STEM OPT, and other aspects of the F-1 Student experience.
These changes are particularly relevant to International Students who may be contemplating Day 1 CPT. Many questions arise from these changes. Will Day 1 CPT continue to be available? Can students transfer to another school? If a student requires additional time to finish a program, what will happen? And how can students take advantage of maintaining a solid immigration history while reducing the potential for future RFEs?
The article addresses the New Rules Affecting F-1 Students as they relate to Day 1 CPT, OPT, STEM OPT and Next Steps for F-1 Students; identifies exactly what changes are occurring under the new rules and examines what the new regulatory environment could potentially mean for Day 1 CPT, OPT, STEM OPT and F-1 students planning their next moves.
1. What Is the New September 15, 2026 F-1 Rule?
July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued a new regulation for how F-1 status operates in the United States. On September 15, 2026, this new rule goes into effect.
A key aspect of this new rule will replace the current duration of status (D/S) system with a period of fixed admission.
How Does the Current System Work?
Currently:
Almost all F-1 students have "D/S" written on their Form I-94 rather than an actual date for when their status expires.
Generally speaking, students can stay in the United States as long as they continue to meet the valid requirements for maintaining status as an F-1 student.
Their authorized stay includes their academic program and authorized practical training like OPT.
How Will the New Rule Change Things?
When the new rules go into effect:
F-1 students will typically have a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94.
Authorized stays will usually be linked to the end date of the student's program.
Typically, the initial entry admission period will be limited to four years at most.
If additional time is needed beyond that, students will likely need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS.
In many cases, simply increasing the program end date on the student's I-20 may not be sufficient.
In addition to changing the length of time an F-1 student is allowed to live in the country; the regulations introduce several other new requirements including those relating to:
Transfers
Changes in Program Type or Educational Level
Program Extensions
OPT & STEM OPT
Practical Training
Post-completion Grace Periods
Specifically these changes are important for students interested in pursuing Day 1 CPT or transfer schools and/or continuing to study in the United States once they complete their degree.
2. What Exactly Changes After September 15, 2026?
F-1 Students Will Have a Fixed End Date
Instead of being admitted for Duration of Status (D/S), most F-1 students entering the U.S. under the new system will receive a specific Admit Until Date (AUD) on their Form I-94.
The authorized period will generally be based on:
The program end date on Form I-20
A maximum initial admission period of four years
An additional 30-day departure period
Students will therefore need to pay closer attention to both their I-20 program end date and I-94 expiration date.
Some Students Will Need to Apply for an Extension of Stay
Currently, eligible students who need more time to complete their program can often work with their DSO to extend the program end date in SEVIS and receive an updated I-20.
Under the new system, students who need to remain in the U.S. beyond their authorized admission period may also need to file an Extension of Stay (EOS) application with USCIS.
This could apply when a student:
Needs additional time to complete a degree
Has a program lasting longer than the authorized stay
Needs additional time for certain practical training
Makes an eligible academic change that extends the period of study
A timely filed EOS application can generally allow the student to remain in the United States while USCIS reviews the request.
University Transfers Will Become More Restricted
The new rule introduces significant restrictions on F-1 university transfers.
For undergraduate students:
Students generally must complete their first academic year at the school that issued their initial Form I-20 before transferring.
Exceptions may be available for qualifying extenuating circumstances.
For graduate students, including master's and doctoral students:
Students generally cannot transfer to another university while pursuing their graduate program.
SEVP may approve an exception in certain extenuating circumstances.
Changing the student's educational objective during the graduate program will also generally be restricted.
This change may be particularly important for students considering transferring to a Day 1 CPT university.
Second Degrees at the Same or Lower Level Will Be Restricted
If a student completes a program after the new rule becomes effective, they generally cannot obtain or maintain F-1 status to begin another program at the same or a lower educational level.
For example:
Bachelor's → another bachelor's: generally restricted
Master's → another master's: generally restricted
Bachelor's → master's: generally permitted
Master's → PhD: generally permitted
Importantly, DHS states that programs completed before the rule's effective date generally do not count toward this new restriction.
The F-1 Grace Period Will Be Shorter
Under the new fixed-admission system, the standard post-completion departure period will generally be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
Students may use this period to prepare to:
Leave the United States
Take an eligible next immigration step
Transition to another permitted academic or immigration status
This gives students less time to make decisions after finishing their program or authorized practical training.
OPT and STEM OPT Procedures Will Change
The new rule does not eliminate OPT or STEM OPT, but some students may need an additional immigration filing.
Depending on their authorized stay, students applying for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT may need:
Form I-765 for employment authorization, and
An Extension of Stay application to extend their F-1 status
Current F-1 Students Will Not Automatically Switch Systems on September 15
Students who are already in the U.S. in valid D/S status when the rule takes effect will generally receive a transition period rather than immediately being issued a new I-94 expiration date.
However, international travel can change this.
If a student leaves the United States after the new rule takes effect and later reenters in F-1 status, CBP may admit them under the new fixed-period system, meaning their new I-94 could contain a specific expiration date.
Immigration Deadlines Will Become More Important
With fixed admission dates, F-1 students will need to monitor their immigration records more carefully.
Important dates include:
I-94 expiration date
I-20 program end date
CPT authorization dates
OPT or STEM OPT dates
Extension of Stay deadlines
SEVIS transfer and program-change dates
For students using Day 1 CPT, maintaining clear records of enrollment, CPT authorization, employment, and F-1 status may become even more important as the new system creates additional points where immigration status can be reviewed.
3. Will Day 1 CPT be eliminated after September 15?
No. The new F-1 rule does not eliminate or ban Day 1 CPT. DHS specifically states that the rule does not make substantive changes to CPT eligibility or the existing CPT authorization process. Students will still generally need CPT authorization from their DSO and must continue meeting the current CPT requirements.
However, the new rule has changed the immigration context surrounding CPT.
Students looking into universities with a Day 1 CPT, the main difficulties they may experience are as follows:
Graduate school transfers: generally speaking, Graduate Students will have much more restrictive transfer options than undergraduate Students.
Second master's degrees: with most programs allowing Students to pursue a Second master's at the same academic level while enrolled in a first master's, this option will likely be severely restricted for Students who plan to finish their current program after the new f-1 regulations take effect.
Extension of Stay (EOS): for those Students whose fixed f-1 admission period is near expiration; they may need to submit an EOS (extension of status) application to USCIS so that they can either complete their program or participate in practical training.
4. How Can Day 1 CPT Students Reduce RFE Risk?
Using Day 1 CPT does not automatically lead to an RFE, but USCIS may closely review whether a student properly maintained F-1 status and whether the CPT employment was legitimately connected to the academic program.
To reduce avoidable risks, Day 1 CPT students should focus on maintaining a clear and well-documented immigration record.
Document all aspects of student's history
Students should keep copies of:
Every Form I-20, especially those showing CPT authorization
Official transcripts and enrollment records
CPT offer letters and employer agreements
Job descriptions showing how the work relates to the student's major
Pay stubs, W-2s, and other employment records
Previous Forms I-94
SEVIS transfer records and immigration approval notices
USCIS may request evidence that an applicant maintained lawful status when reviewing a future H-1B change of status or extension request.
Ensure the employment relates to their major
CPT must be integral to the student's curriculum and directly related to the major area of study. ICE also requires CPT authorization to be issued by the DSO before employment begins.
Students should therefore avoid:
Starting work before the CPT start date
Continuing after CPT authorization expires
Working for an employer not listed in the CPT authorization
Taking a position that is difficult to connect to the academic program
Maintain F-1 Status Carefully
Students should also follow all requirements associated with maintaining valid F-1 status. These include:
Meeting school enrollment requirements.
Maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
Reporting to the DSO upon arrival and departure from the united states.
Maintaining current information with the school regarding name changes or address changes.
The goal is not simply to avoid an RFE. It is to maintain a consistent academic, employment, and immigration history that can be clearly documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure how the new F-1 rules affect your Day 1 CPT options?