US New Visa Rules: Harvard Asks International Students To Be Back In US By September 15, Know Why
New US visa rules take effect on September 15,2026. F1 and J1 visa holders may get fixed stay periods instead of duration of status. Check the article to know more details.
Harvard University has advised its international students and scholars to plan their travel early. The university wants them to return to the United States before September 15, 2026. New US visa rules from the Department of Homeland Security are expected to take effect on that day. The changes could decide how long international students can stay in the country. Students already in the US when the rules begin may get transition provisions. But students who travel abroad and return after September 15, 2026 might face a different admission process. Read the article to know more details.
The End of Duration of Status System
Under the proposed changes the duration of the status system will end. This system is also called the D,S system. Many F-1 and J-1 visa holders will not get a fixed period of stay instead. Students entering the US may receive an Admit until Date on their Form I-94. This date shows how long they may remain in the country. Today eligible students can stay in the US as long as they keep their visa status. They must also meet the requirements of their academic programme. The new system replaces this old approach completely. Students may instead get a specified end date for their authorised stay. This end date is usually linked to their programme duration and rules in force. Students needing more time may have to use a formal extension process. The change may also affect grace periods, programme changes and university transfers.
What International Students Should Do Before Travelling
For many international students, travel decisions are now very important. Students who leave the country and return on or after September 15, 2026 could come under the new fixed date system instead of transition provisions. This matters for Indian students planning to visit home or travel abroad. They should check their visa documents before leaving the US. They must check their Form I-20 or DS-2019 and their I-94 records. Students should also contact their university’s international office. The office can explain how travel could affect their immigration status. Students expecting extra time for their degree should check the new extension requirements. This includes students on OPT and STEM OPT. The new US visa rules are also facing a legal challenge from higher education and labour organisations. Until the courts or the government make any change students should follow official updates closely. Students must also follow university guidance before finalising their travel plan.
Faham is an education specialist and has over three years of experience in the education and edtech industry, specializing in digital and educational content creation. He holds an MBA in Marketing and Human Resources from Swami Vivekanand University. Throughout his career, Faham has developed expertise in creating engaging and informative content across diverse educational domains.
In addition to his edtech experience, he worked for two years as a Public Speaking and Creative Writing Expert, helping learners enhance their communication and writing skills. He has also been associated with Testbook and Adda Education as a Content Writer, where he created high-quality content for K–12 education, Management Entrance Examinations, UPSC, Law, and State Defence examinations. His strong understanding of educational content and exam preparation enables him to simplify complex topics and deliver valuable learning resources to students.
