Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead | Updated On - Jul 22, 2026
Columbia University has told international students to return to campus before September 8, 2026, ahead of a new DHS rule taking effect on September 15. The advisory hits F-1 and J-1 visa holders who left the US for summer break. DHS published the final rule in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026. Re-entry after September 15 triggers a fixed four-year admission stamp, replacing the open-ended duration of status stay.
- The rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, 60 days after the Federal Register notice.
- F-1 and J-1 students already inside the US on that date keep their I-20 end date and OPT windows intact.
- Anyone re-entering after September 15 must file Form I-539 if their programme runs beyond four years.
Indian nationals form the largest F-1 cohort in the US, with 331,602 students in 2024-25 per Open Doors 2025. Roughly half sit on programmes longer than four years, so the extension route matters most to them.
Also Read: US F-1 Duration of Status Final Rule Clears White House
Why September 15 Is the Line in the Sand
DHS published the final rule in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026. The 60-day implementation window closes at midnight on September 14. From September 15, all new F, J, and I visa entries get a fixed period stamped at the port. F-1 and J-1 holders get up to four years. I visa holders, mostly foreign journalists, get up to 240 days.
Key Insight: Students already inside the US on September 15 are grandfathered. Their I-20 end date, OPT and STEM OPT windows remain under the old duration-of-status framework until the programme ends.
Which Indian Students Face the Biggest Risk
The advisory bites students who left the US for summer break. Fall 2026 first-years arriving after September 15 are also caught. PhD candidates on five or six-year programmes must plan an extension filing. Students on OPT who travel and re-enter face the same fixed clock.
| Cohort | Status on September 15 | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 new admits | Arriving after Sept 15 | Fixed 4-year admission from entry date |
| Students abroad for summer | Re-entering after Sept 15 | Fixed 4-year clock starts on entry |
| Students continuously in US | Inside on Sept 15 | Duration of status retained till I-20 end |
| PhD and MD candidates | Programme longer than 4 years | Form I-539 Extension of Stay needed |
| J-1 exchange visitors | Same cohort split | 4-year cap applies identically |
What it means for Indian Students: India was the top sending country in 2024-25 per Open Doors. Any student on a home trip must weigh the return date against the September 15 wall.
What Columbia and Other Campuses Are Telling Students
Columbia’s International Students and Scholars Office asked students to return before classes begin on September 8, 2026. The advisory names the DHS rule as the direct reason. USC’s Office of International Services and UW-Madison’s ISS have posted similar notices. The Wisconsin ISS also flagged updated consular booking rules for those still stamping visas.
How the Fixed Four-Year Admission Actually Works
On entry, the CBP officer stamps the I-94 with a date no more than four years out. Programmes shorter than four years get a stamp matching the I-20 end date plus a 30-day grace period. Programmes running longer require an Extension of Stay filing. The EOS needs Form I-539, biometrics at a USCIS Application Support Center, and evidence of continued enrolment. The USCIS filing fee is $470 online, or $420 by paper.
Key Caveat: An EOS denial while your I-94 has expired can start the unlawful presence clock. NAFSA has flagged this as the sharpest change for long-programme Indian students.
How Should Indian Students Prepare Before September 15?
Preparation begins with the flight date. Students still abroad should book a return that lands in the US before September 14. Any F-1 Visa Slot Booking that pushes stamping past mid-September should be rescheduled where possible. Students eyeing the September 2026 Intake should confirm travel dates with their designated school official before booking tickets.
The September 15, 2026 switch closes 35 years of open-ended F-1 stays. Indian students on summer travel have less than two months to fly back. The next USCIS extension filing window under the new rules opens the same day.
Action Plan for Indian Students
- Book a return flight that lands in your US city before September 14, 2026.
- Carry a valid I-20 signed by your DSO within the last 12 months.
- Keep proof of full-time enrolment and financial support ready at CBP.
- If your programme runs beyond four years, prepare the Form I-539 filing early with biometrics scheduling in mind.
- Track your SEVIS record and I-20 status through August via the SEVP portal.
Keep an Eye On: The DHS final rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. USCIS will begin accepting Form I-539 Extension of Stay filings under the new framework from the same day.
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