For international students studying in the US in F-1 status, the date by which they must leave the country will be recorded in their admission record under a system planned to launch on September 15, 2026. Students will therefore need to track not only their education programs but also the date on which their authorization expires.
The initial authorization will be limited to the length of the accepted school program and may not exceed four years. A student beginning a two-year program may receive authorization for two years, while those accepted into longer programs, such as doctoral studies, will initially receive no more than four years.
Additional time may be requested if studies continue
Reaching the end of the four-year period will not require students to leave the country immediately if they have not completed their education. They will need to apply for additional time and receive approval in order to continue their studies.
Restrictions on changing programs and schools
Undergraduate students will not be able to change their programs as easily during their first year as they can under the current system. Graduate and doctoral students will also be unable to transfer to another school or department without special authorization.
OPT periods will remain in place
The OPT program, which provides an opportunity to work after graduation, will not be abolished. Students will be able to work for 12 months under the program, while graduates of eligible STEM fields may apply for an additional 24-month period.
Under the new system, tracking authorization and application deadlines will become more critical. A transition period will apply to students already studying in the US, and not all of them will need to submit new applications immediately.
Students from Türkiye are also covered
The number of international students from Türkiye rose from 8,109 in the 2020–2021 academic year to 9,413 in 2024–2025. Under the regulation, these students will need to track not only their school calendars but also the date by which they may remain in the US.
