UPDATE
September 14, 2026: A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the Fixed Admission Rule that was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. As a result, the rule will not take effect on September 15, and current F-1 and J-1 immigration rules, including Duration of Status (D/S), remain in place at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Fixed Admission Rule Court Injunction
1. Is the Fixed Admission Rule in effect?
No. A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction that blocks the Fixed Admission Rule from taking effect. For now, F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars will continue to follow the existing Duration of Status (D/S) rules.
2. Is the Fixed Admission Rule permanently blocked?
Not necessarily. The court’s action is not a final decision in the lawsuit filed by the President’s Alliance, NAFSA, and other organizations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could also appeal the court’s decision and ask another court to allow the rule to take effect while the case continues. Therefore, it is a possibility that the rule could take effect in the future. For that reason, you should continue to watch for official updates.
3. What does this mean for me right now?
You should continue to follow current F-1 and J-1 regulations.
The changes that would have been required by the Fixed Admission Rule are not currently in effect, including:
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- Fixed admission period with specific end date on the I-94
- Extension of Stay procedures with USCIS
- Academic restrictions for F-1 students that prevent transfer, change of major, change of education level from a higher to lower degree, and second degrees.
4. Why is it important to stay up to date with developments related to the Fixed Admission Rule?
The legal situation regarding the Fixed Admission Rule could change quickly. Additional court action or an appeal could affect whether or when the rule takes effect. Continue to follow developments and check reliable sources regularly for the most current information, especially before making important immigration, academic, or travel decisions.
5. Am I still in Duration of Status (D/S)?
The existing Duration of Status framework remains in place for F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars. Check your most recent I-94 to confirm that your Admit Until Date shows D/S.
The Fixed Admission Rule’s new system of admitting F-1 and J-1 students and J-1 scholars for a specific period of time is not currently in effect.
6. I am an F-1 student and need more time to finish my program. What should I do?
While the Fixed Admission Rule is blocked, eligible F-1 students may continue to request a Program Extension through OIPS.
If you need additional time to complete your academic program, you may continue to request a program extension through OIPS. You will still need to meet the standard requirements for a Program Extension, including having an appropriate academic reason and submitting the required documentation.
If you are eligible and need an extension, it must be approved before your current I-20 program end date. See the F-1 Program Extension section at https://oips.gmu.edu/hubportal-info/ for more information.
7.I am a J-1 student or scholar and need additional time to complete my academic or research program. What should I do?
Contact the J-1 student or scholar advisor to discuss eligibility and request instructions for extension of your J-1 program.
8. Do I need to file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS to extend my F-1 program?
Not at this time. The new Extension of Stay process that would have been required under the Fixed Admission Rule is not currently in effect. For now, eligible students should continue to use the existing program extension process. See 6 above.
9. Are the new restrictions on changing my major or program in effect?
No. The new academic restrictions under the Fixed Admission Rule are not currently in effect. For now, F-1 students continue to have the academic flexibility allowed under the existing F-1 regulations and university policies.
10. Can F-1 students still change education levels, transfer schools, or pursue another degree?
The new academic restrictions in the Fixed Admission Rule are not currently in effect. For now, students may continue to make changes that are permitted under the existing F-1 regulations and university policies.
11. Am I guaranteed to have my F-1 program extension, change of education level, transfer, major or program change approved if I meet all requirements while the Fixed Admission Rule is blocked?
No. The legal situation could change quickly, and there is no guarantee that the Fixed Admission Rule will remain blocked while your request is being reviewed and processed.
OIPS will make every effort to process eligible requests while the current rules remain in effect when all requirements have been completed. However, we need sufficient time to review and process requests.
Students should allow sufficient time for all required steps. If the legal situation changes before your request is completed, we will need to follow the immigration rules and requirements in effect at that time.
12. When should I apply for OPT?
Since the Fixed Admission Rule is not currently in effect, students may apply for OPT and have it received by USCIS within 60 days of their program completion date. However, the legal situation could change. If the rule takes effect, students will need to submit their application and have it received by USCIS within 30 days of their program completion date.
Because of this uncertainty, students may want to apply for OPT within 30 days of their program completion date. This timing can help avoid problems if the Fixed Admission Rule takes effect while an OPT application is being prepared.
13. What OPT Start Date should I choose?
Since the Fixed Admission Rule is not currently in effect, students may choose an OPT start date within 60 days of their program completion date. However, the legal situation could change. If the rule takes effect, students will need to begin work within 30 days of their program completion date.
Because of this uncertainty, students may want to consider choosing an OPT start date within 30 days of their program completion date. This timing can help avoid problems if the Fixed Admission Rule takes effect while an OPT application is being prepared.