US visa rules to change on September 15: Harvard asks international students to return early
3 min readNew DelhiAug 24, 2026 07:20 PM IST
Harvard University has recommended that international students enrolled in the on-campus programme this fall return to the United States ahead of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new federal immigration rules, which take effect on September 15.
Harvard University’s recommendation states that J-1 scholars and F-1 and J-1 international students registered in on-campus programs for the fall term must remain physically present in the United States on the rule’s effective date.
New DHS rules to replace ‘duration of status’
The development comes as the Trump administration has finalised the rules to replace “duration of status” with fixed admission periods for F-1, J-1, and I (foreign media and journalists) visa holders, which implies that foreign students, scholars, and exchange visitors can stay in America as long as they maintain their academic status.
The rule states that if an international student or scholar (or dependent), including one who was physically present in the US on the effective date, leaves America and re-enters after September 15, they will be subject to new rules upon their reentry.
F-1 grace period set to be shortened
For those foreign students who remain in the US when the rule comes into effect, they’ll retain the 60-day grace period for F-1 visa holders and the 30-day grace period for J-1 visa holders.
However, under the new rule, the grace period for F-1 visa holders is poised to be shortened to 30 days.
Students may need USCIS extension
Under the new DHS rule, students who wish to remain in the US beyond their authorised admission period will have to file an extension with the US Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS).
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In the current system, students were required to extend their programme dates via their respective universities, and not apply separately to USCIS.
Harvard warns about international travel
Harvard University’s website states, “International travel after September 15, 2026, may result in the Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94 being changed to match the program end date on your I-20/DS-2019, which may affect how any future extensions of status are granted. “
Other US universities issue return guidelines
Reports stated that, apart from Harvard, Columbia University has set a deadline for international students to return by September 8.
Ohio State University, Georgetown, George Washington (GW), and the University of Chicago have also issued guidelines and warned foreign students to plan their return according to the new rules of DHS.
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