International Student & Scholar Regulatory Updates

The new rule places additional restrictions on academic mobility during your first year of study.

• Changing your field of study (major). During your first academic year, you may not change your field of study without prior authorization from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Exceptions may be granted in extenuating circumstances.
• Transferring to another school. During your first academic year, you generally may not transfer to another SEVP-certified school without prior authorization from SEVP. Exceptions may be granted in extenuating circumstances.

The rule does not specify the process for requesting an exception or define all circumstances that may qualify. For undergraduate students, examples of extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, a school closure or a school's prolonged inability to offer in-person instruction because of a natural disaster.

If you are in the United States in F-1 status before September 15, 2026, and were admitted under Duration of Status (D/S):

• You may continue to travel and re-enter the United States using your unexpired F-1 visa and D/S admission before September 15, 2026.
• You do not need to immediately obtain a new Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94.
• If you need additional time to complete your academic program beyond your I-20 end date, or if you plan to participate in post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), you must apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• You will retain the current 60-day grace period unless you depart and re-enter the United States or apply for an EOS on or after September 15, 2026. In those cases, your grace period will be reduced to 30 days.
• Students who receive an EOS for program completion or post-completion OPT will have a 30-day grace period after completing their academic program or OPT.

Yes.

• You may pursue a higher-level degree after graduating from Pomona College.
• You may not begin another undergraduate degree under the same SEVIS record.
• You remain eligible to apply for post-completion OPT.

To begin a graduate program under the same SEVIS record or to participate in post-completion OPT, you must separately apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS).

Extension of Stay (EOS) while remaining in the United States

Additional procedural guidance will be available on the ISSS website after the rule takes effect.

Academic Program Extension

Students maintaining a full course of study and valid F-1 status may apply for an Extension of Stay if additional time is needed to complete their academic program.

The application requires:

• A documented compelling academic, medical, or other qualifying extenuating reason;
• Evidence of sufficient financial support;
• A newly issued Form I-20 with an updated program end date recommending the extension;
• Form I-539 submitted to USCIS;
• Biometrics collection; and
• Payment of the required USCIS filing fee.

Applications must be received by USCIS before the expiration of the student Form I-20 or Admit Until Date (AUD), whichever applies. Poor academic performance is not considered a valid basis for an extension.

Post-Completion OPT

Students applying for post-completion OPT must also submit Form I-539 with a properly endorsed Form I-20 within the required filing period.

Beginning a Graduate Program

Students transferring their SEVIS record to another SEVP-certified institution for graduate study must also submit an Extension of Stay application to USCIS.

Extension of Stay through international travel

In some cases, students may choose to extend their stay by traveling outside the United States.

To do so, you would:

• Obtain a newly issued Form I-20 or DS-2019 reflecting your extended program dates;
• Depart the United States; and
• Re-enter using the updated document at a U.S. port of entry.

This option is available only if you have a valid, unexpired visa and are not subject to any travel restrictions.

Additional guidance regarding Extensions of Stay for post-completion OPT will be posted on the ISSS website after the rule becomes effective.

Yes.

After completing your Pomona College degree or post-completion OPT, you may depart the United States and return using a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued for your graduate program under a new SEVIS record.

Students currently participating in OPT

• You may continue to travel and re-enter the United States using your unexpired visa and D/S admission before September 15, 2026.
• You do not need to immediately obtain an Admit Until Date (AUD) on your Form I-94.
• If you plan to apply for a STEM OPT extension beyond your post-completion OPT, you must also apply for an Extension of Stay.
• You will retain the current 60-day grace period unless you depart and re-enter the United States or apply for an Extension of Stay on or after September 15, 2026. In that case, your grace period will be 30 days.

Students with pending OPT or STEM OPT applications

If you timely filed an OPT or STEM OPT application on or before six months after the rule's effective date:

• You do not need to submit a separate Extension of Stay application.
• If your application is approved, you will retain the 60-day grace period unless you leave and re-enter the United States.
• If your application is denied after you are no longer enrolled full time, you must depart the United States immediately.
• Travel while a post-completion OPT application is pending may result in the application being considered abandoned because you are no longer enrolled in a full course of study.

Students applying for OPT or STEM OPT on or after September 15, 2026

Students who require additional time beyond their Admit Until Date (AUD) to complete an authorized period of OPT or STEM OPT must apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS).

Upon completion of OPT or STEM OPT under the new rule, students will receive a 30-day grace period.