Harvard’s Office of International Affairs (HIO) recently issued an important internal campus alert. A critical deadline directly impacts the immigration status benefits for all enrolled international students and J‑1 scholars. In short: Once the new rules take effect on September 15, those physically present within the US qualify for transitional benefits. However, anyone who departs the US and attempts re-entry on or after September 15 will be subject to the strict new regulations in full.

The September 15 effective date for the new US F‑1/J‑1 visa rules is drawing near.

Harvard’s Office of International Affairs (HIO) recently released a critical internal campus notice. This key deadline directly affects immigration status entitlements for all currently enrolled international students and J‑1 scholars.

Simply put: when the new regulations go into effect on September 15, anyone physically present inside the US will qualify for transitional benefits. If you leave the country and re-enter on or after September 15, you will be fully subject to the strict new rules.

01 Key Official Guidance from Harvard

HIO explicitly recommends: F‑1 and J‑1 students registered for this fall semester, along with J‑1 scholars, should return to and remain within the US before the new rules take effect on September 15.

This advice is not an overreaction. Two completely separate rule sets will apply to people already in the US versus those re-entering from abroad:

👉🏻 Physically present in the US on September 15

You qualify for transitional benefits. No advance extension request with USCIS is required. Status is authorized until your program end date or OPT expiration, capped at a maximum of four years. F‑1 students retain the original 60-day post-completion grace period, and J‑1 scholars keep their 30-day grace period.

👉🏻 Depart the US and re-enter on or after September 15

The full new visa framework applies. The “Admit Until Date” on your I‑94 will no longer be marked D/S. Instead, it will be tied directly to your program end date. Moving forward, a DSO updating your I‑20 in the student information system alone will no longer grant an extension. You must file a separate extension application with USCIS. The F‑1 grace period will also be reduced to only 30 days.

HIO also acknowledges that many policy details remain uncertain. Many operational provisions will only be clarified shortly before the effective date. The university is collaborating with national higher education associations to continue seeking official guidance.

02 Overview of Core Changes in the New Visa Rules

This reform repeals the nearly 50-year-old D/S (Duration of Status) framework, marking a major overhaul of the US immigration visa system:

👉🏻 Removal of D/S notation on Form I‑94: A maximum four-year stay cap is imposed. Doctoral and other long-program international students must submit separate applications for status extension to USCIS once their program expires, carrying a risk of denial.

👉🏻 Stricter OPT application and review: OPT will no longer be automatic. A formal application must be submitted to USCIS, bringing longer review timelines and additional background checks.

👉🏻 Dramatically shortened grace periods: The post-completion grace period for F‑1 students is cut from 60 days to 30 days. Students who withdraw early only receive a 15-day grace window.

👉🏻 Closing the “second master’s at the same academic level” status workaround: The new rules impose tight restrictions on major changes and school transfers. Re-enrolling in a second master’s program at the same level is explicitly prohibited, eliminating a commonly used pathway to maintain immigration status.

Columbia University also advises international students to return to the US by September 8.

03 University Coalition Files Lawsuit: September 3 Hearing Is Critical

In response to these new visa rules, organizations including NAFSA (Association of International Educators), the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, AICUM (Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts), plus multiple labor unions, filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the US District Court for Massachusetts on August 18.

The complaint states DHS advanced this sweeping reform without substantial evidence of abuse under the existing system. The policy will impact over two million international students and scholars annually and severely weaken US universities’ ability to attract top global talent.

The most important upcoming milestone: the court has scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing on September 3.

Plaintiffs hope to secure a preliminary injunction to block implementation before September 15. However, only 12 days separate the hearing from the effective date, and the judge has not yet granted the injunction. Universities still advise students to prepare under the assumption that the new policy will take effect as scheduled on September 15.

04 Categorized Action Advice for International Students

Drawing from Harvard’s official guidance and the fine print of the new regulations, you may adjust your travel itinerary and plans based on your personal situation:

👉🏻 Students already in the US: Avoid non-essential international travel around September 15. Leaving and re-entering will immediately invalidate transitional benefits. If travel is unavoidable, email your school’s DSO well in advance and keep copies of documents such as your I‑94 and I‑20.

👉🏻 Students overseas planning to return for fall semester: Adjust your travel schedule to come back to the US before September 15 to lock in transitional eligibility.

👉🏻 PhD and long-program students: The four-year cap has the biggest impact on long-duration studies. Plan your in-country status extension application timeline 3–6 months ahead of time.

👉🏻 Students planning a second master’s or post-graduation job search: The second master’s status workaround is largely closed. With the grace period reduced to 30 days, your window after graduation to secure CPT/OPT and find employment is drastically shortened. You must lock in internship and job-hunting timelines much earlier.

💡 Final Note

The policy landscape for US study and immigration status management is rapidly shifting from relatively permissive toward widespread tightening. The elimination of D/S is just one component. Future adjustments to CPT review standards and H‑1B policies will continue to create ripple effects.

The earlier you solidify your job search and immigration roadmap, the better positioned you will be amid policy shifts.

💬 If you have questions about fall recruitment timelines, CPT/OPT compliance, or policy response strategies, feel free to send us a message. We will arrange advisors to provide personalized guidance and planning recommendations!