DHS duration of status rule

USCIS new I-539 form 2026 edition featured image for F-1 student extension of stay guide
Global Education Preparation Updates in Study Abroad

USCIS New I-539 Form for F-1 Students: Everything Indian Students Need to Know Before Filing an Extension of Stay in 2026

Palak NeemaComment on USCIS New I-539 Form for F-1 Students: Everything Indian Students Need to Know Before Filing an Extension of Stay in 2026

USCIS is releasing a new 09/15/26 edition of Form I-539 alongside the DHS Duration of Status rule that takes effect on 15 September 2026. Here is which Indian F-1 students must file it, what documents USCIS wants, and whether premium processing applies.

Passports and travel documents on a table representing visa duration of status rules
Global Education Preparation Updates in Study Abroad

DHS Duration of Status Rule: What Indian F-1 Students Need to Know in 2026

Palak NeemaComment on DHS Duration of Status Rule: What Indian F-1 Students Need to Know in 2026

The US Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule to end “duration of status” for F-1, J-1, and I visa holders, replacing open-ended stays with fixed admission periods. Here’s what changes, who it affects, and the practical steps Indian F-1 students should take in 2026 to stay compliant and avoid reentry bars.