Harvard University’s International Office is advising F-1 and J-1 international students and J-1 scholars enrolled in on-campus programs this fall to consider being in the United States before a new Department of Homeland Security rule takes effect on September 15, 2026.
The guidance comes amid uncertainty over how the new rule will affect students who travel outside the US after the effective date, as well as ongoing legal challenges seeking to block the changes.
Harvard urges students to return before September 15
Harvard’s International Office said students and scholars who are already in the US when the rule takes effect will be treated differently from those who leave and subsequently return.
Those who are in the country on September 15 will generally be allowed to remain without filing an extension until the later of their program end date or the expiration of their post-completion work authorization, subject to a maximum four-year period.
However, students and scholars who leave the US and return after September 15 will become subject to the new rule upon reentry.
Harvard acknowledged that the situation remains uncertain.
“We understand that the rule change, and the lack of clarity surrounding it, has been confusing and unsettling for all of us across higher education,” the HIO said.
F-1 grace period could be cut from 60 to 30 days
The new rule would also change the grace period available to international students after completing their authorised period of study.
Students already in the US when the rule takes effect would retain the existing 60-day grace period for F-1 visa holders, while J-1 holders would retain their 30-day grace period.
For F-1 students entering or reentering under the new system, however, the grace period would be reduced to 30 days.
I-94 dates could change after reentry
Harvard said students returning to the US after September 15 could also see changes to the “Admit Until Date” listed on their I-94 arrival record.
Under the new system, the date could correspond to the student’s program end date. Harvard warned that this could affect how future extensions of status are handled.
The change could therefore have practical consequences for students whose academic programmes extend beyond their initial authorised period.
Students may need to apply to USCIS for extensions
One of the major changes under the rule is how international students seek to remain in the US beyond their authorised admission period.
Students would be required to file an extension application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Under the existing system, students can generally extend their programme dates through their universities without separately applying to USCIS for an extension of stay.
The rule would also place new limits on students’ ability to transfer institutions or change their plans of study.
Harvard says uncertainty remains
The university said it has been working with national higher education associations to understand how the rule will operate but acknowledged that some questions may remain unanswered even after the September 15 effective date.
“It is possible we may not have clarity around some of those questions by the effective date of September 15, 2026,” the HIO guidance said.
Harvard said it would continue monitoring developments and provide additional information as more details become available.
Lawsuit seeks to block the rule
The guidance comes shortly after a coalition of higher education organisations and labour unions filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the DHS rule from taking effect.
The plaintiffs have also asked a federal judge for a preliminary injunction that would temporarily block implementation while the case proceeds.
