UPDATE: How does End of Duration of Status affect you?

August 18, 2026

Hello Students,

As we mentioned, the U.S. government enacted a new rule to end the Duration of Status. We are still working to understand exactly how the new rule affects F-1 students. Therefore the information provided could change in the next couple of weeks or months, as we learn more about this rule.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided is not legal advice and it should not be interpreted as such.

UPDATES FOR ALL F-1 STUDENTS BEGINNING ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

• Limits on changes in the first year: F-1 students are no longer eligible to transfer, change their major, or change their education level within the first academic year (3 terms), without approval for "extenuating circumstances” exception from SEVP. 

NOTE: We do not know all the items that could qualify as an "extenuating circumstances” exception.

• Options to Remain in U.S. Beyond Program End Date or Admit Until Date: When the Program End Date or Admit Until Date approaches, if an F-1 student:

1. needs an I-20 extension to continue their studies at PCC
2. wants to transfer to another school, or 
3. wants to apply for OPT, then

F-1 students must also apply for an Extension of Stay with USCIS, using Form I-539 and paying the appropriate fee, or travel and re-enter with a new I-20. 

NOTE: We are still learning if travel and re-entry is an option for students applying to OPT.

• If you earn an Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate degree in the U.S. after September 15, 2026, you are not eligible to begin another Associate degree at PCC or any other school in the U.S. Read more below under STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LIMITED ENTRY PROGRAMS.

All academic constraints of the rule change will be applied after September 15, 2026 moving forward. It is not applied retroactively. For example, if you have been studying ESOL in the U.S. for 1 year, the 24-month limit applies starting the Fall 2026 term (read more below in "ESOL STUDENTS WHO WANT TO CONTINUE STUDYING IN THE US"). Students who have already received a Bachelor or Master degree in the U.S. before September 15th can still pursue an Associate degree. However, this will not be possible in the future.

ESOL STUDENTS WHO WANT TO CONTINUE STUDYING IN THE U.S.

English language studies (called ESOL at PCC) are now limited to 24 months of study total by the U.S. government, including a vacation term. Beginning on September 15th, studying ESOL for more than 24 months in the U.S. is no longer possible, at any school in the U.S. After you complete 24 months of English language studies, you must do one of the following:

1. Request a Change of Education Level to begin an Associate degree at PCC
2. Transfer to another school for a program that is not focused on English language studies
3. Depart the U.S.

With a Change of Education Level or to transfer to another school, you must submit an Extension of Stay application to USCIS by completing the Form I-539 with a fee payment or travel and re-enter with your new I-20 at the Associate degree level.

NOTE: We are still working to understand how and what the process would be for ESOL students who complete their ESOL studies within 1 or 2 terms.

STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LIMITED ENTRY PROGRAMS (Nursing, Radiography, etc.)



Under the new rule, we believe that a Change of Education Level will not be possible for students who want to start a new Associate degree after completing another Associate degree after September 15, 2026. 

If you are taking prerequisite classes for a limited entry program, like Nursing or Radiography, then you must complete your prerequisite classes before you complete an Associate degree. This means you might have to take prerequisite classes during your vacation term.

If you are admitted to a limited entry program after September 15, 2026, contact the oiss@pcc.edu to understand if you need to take additional steps to extend your stay with USCIS.

NOTE: We are still working to understand if these programs could be considered a “higher level” of education under the new rule. We will email F-1 students with updated information when we have any to share.

TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SCHOOL

If you complete a program, when you transfer, you must start at a "higher level" of education. For example, if you complete an Associate degree at PCC, you can only begin a Bachelor degree or higher at your transfer school. You cannot start another program at the Language Training (ESOL) level or at the Associate degree level.

Within 1st Academic Year

Transfers within the first year of study (3 terms) in the U.S. are no longer allowed, without approval for "extenuating circumstances” exception from SEVP. 

NOTE: We do not know what could qualify as an "extenuating circumstances” exception at this time. More information to come.

Before Program End Date or Admit Until Date

The process will remain unchanged. However, if you need to study longer than the Program End Date on your PCC I-20 or Admit Until Date on your I-94, you must request an Extension of Stay, or travel and re-enter with a new I-20.

Near or After Program End Date or Admit Until Date

Transferring to another school will require an immediate application for an Extension of Stay, or travel and re-enter with a new I-20.

STUDENTS CURRENTLY ON OPT or AWAITING FOR OPT APPROVAL

• If you are still waiting for OPT to be processed, no action is needed.
• After the Card Expires date on your EAD card, you must do one of the following, before the end of your grace period:
• Transfer to a new school - You must submit an Extension of Stay application to USCIS (I-539) with a fee payment, or travel and re-enter with a new I-20. 

NOTE: We believe that you will not be eligible to begin a new Associate degree if you do not receive a new I-20 for that program before September 15th.

• Depart the U.S. 
• Apply for a Change of Status - Work with an immigration attorney for this option before the Card Expires date on your EAD card. The OISS and PCC cannot advise on anything outside of F-1 status.

DEPENDENTS

F-1 students applying for an Extension of Stay, who have dependents, must apply for an Extension of Stay for every dependent.

NOTE: The majority of F-1 students, who are following the U.S. government rules and completing the ESOL program or Associate degree within a reasonable time, should be able to successfully extend their stay in the U.S. if needed. Students who routinely fail their classes or are not making academic progress towards completing their program should consult with an immigration attorney.

If you have questions, please

• email the SEVIS team at oiss@pcc.edu
• schedule an appointment with them, or
• join us tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19 at 2pm on Zoom for a D/S Rule Change Info Session. (Click here to join)

Warmly,

Alicia Adams and the OISS team

Office of International Student Services, Portland Community College