The US government has updated the rules for the F-1 student visa, changing how international students can stay and work after graduation through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.
The new rules will come into effect on September 15, 2026. Students who plan to study in the US after this date may have to complete extra paperwork if they want to stay and work after finishing their course.
F-1 Student Visa Rules Have Changed
Until now, F-1 student visas followed the Duration of Status (D/S) system. Under this system, students could stay in the US as long as they maintained their student status and continued their studies.
The new rule replaces this with a fixed visa period. For example, a master’s student may receive a visa valid for up to four years, while a bachelor’s student may get a visa for up to two years.
Students admitted after September 15, 2026, will be allowed to stay in the US for the duration mentioned on their Form I-20 or a maximum of four years, whichever is shorter.
After completing their course, they will get a 30-day grace period before they must leave the country unless they qualify to stay under another valid status.
New OPT Process After Visa Expiry
Students who want to work in the US through Optional Practical Training (OPT) after their visa period ends will now have an additional step.
Along with applying for employment authorization using Form I-765, they will also need to apply for an extension of stay by filing Form I-539 if their visa has expired.
Earlier, students generally only needed to apply for work authorization under the D/S system.
This means students admitted under the new fixed-term visa system will have to complete both applications to continue living and working in the US through OPT.
Relief for Students Already in the US
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a transition rule to help students who are already studying in the US.
Students who maintain valid F-1 status until September 15, 2026, and apply for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, will not have to file Form I-539 for that OPT period.
The same relief also applies to eligible STEM OPT applicants who submit Form I-765 before their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expires and by March 18, 2027.
Who Will Still Need Form I-539?
Students who leave the US before applying for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT and later return under the new fixed-term visa system will need to file both Form I-765 and Form I-539.
In addition, students who already have a properly filed Form I-765 pending with USCIS on September 15, 2026, will not need to submit a new work permit application or file Form I-539 unless USCIS specifically asks them to do so.
To work under OPT, students must first submit Form I-765 to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which serves as their work permit. Form I-539 is used to request an extension of stay in the US under the new rules.
