Harvard advises international students to be in US before Sept 15 as new 4-year F-1, J-1 visa rule takes effect
The guidance comes amid uncertainty over how the new rule will affect students who travel outside the US after the effective date, as well as ongoing legal challenges seeking to block the changes.
Harvard University’s International Office has advised international F-1 and J-1 students enrolled in on-campus programs to be in the United States before September 15, 2026, as a new Department of Homeland Security rule takes effect. The guidance comes as the rule's impact on students who travel outside the US after the date and ongoing legal challenges remain uncertain.
Those already in the US on the effective date will generally be allowed to remain without filing an extension until their program end date or the expiration of their post-completion work authorization, with a maximum four-year period. However, students who leave and return after September 15 will be subject to the new rule upon re-entry.
The new rule will also change the grace period for international students after completing their authorized period of study, reducing it to 30 days for J-1 holders and 30 days for F-1 students entering or reentering under the new system. The rule will also affect the "Admit Until Date" listed on students' I-94 arrival records, potentially corresponding to their program end date.
Students would need to file an extension application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to remain in the US beyond their authorized admission period. The university is working with higher education associations to monitor the situation but acknowledges that some questions may remain unanswered after the September 15 effective date.
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