The US government has changed the rules for the F-1 student visa and the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. These changes will come into effect from September 15, 2026,
and will impact how international students stay and work in the US after graduation.
The new rules require some students to apply not only for work authorization but also for an extension of stay if they want to continue living in the US during their OPT period.
This has raised concerns among many Indian students who are planning higher education in the US.
F-1 Student Visa Rules Have Changed
Until now, F-1 student visas followed the “Duration of Status (D/S)” system. Under this system, students could stay in the US as long as they maintained their student status and continued their studies.
From September 15, 2026, this system will be replaced with a fixed-term visa.
For example, a master’s student may receive a visa valid for up to four years, while a bachelor’s student may receive a visa valid for around two years.
Students admitted after September 15, 2026, will be allowed to stay only for the duration mentioned on their Form I-20 or a maximum of four years, whichever is shorter.
After completing their course, students will get a 30-day grace period. Once this period ends, they must either leave the US or qualify to stay under another valid status.
New OPT Rule Explained
Students who start their studies in the US after September 15, 2026, will automatically fall under the new visa system.
If their visa expires while they are working under Optional Practical Training (OPT), they will now have to submit two applications:
Form I-765 for Employment Authorization (work permit)
Form I-539 to request an extension of their stay in the US
Earlier, applying for work authorization alone was generally enough. Under the new rules, eligible students may also need to extend their legal stay, adding an extra step to the process.
Relief for Existing Students
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also announced a transition benefit for students who are already studying in the US.
Students who maintain valid F-1 status until September 15, 2026, and apply for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT on or before March 18, 2027, will not have to file Form I-539 for that OPT period.
The same exemption also applies to eligible STEM OPT applicants who submit Form I-765 before their current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expires and by the March 18, 2027 deadline.
Students who already have a Form I-765 application pending with USCIS on September 15, 2026, will also not need to submit a new work authorization application or Form I-539 unless USCIS specifically asks for it.
However, students who leave the US before applying for Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT and later return under the new fixed-term visa system will have to file both Form I-765 and Form I-539.
In simple terms, Form I-765 is used to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allows students to work legally in the US, while Form I-539 is used to request an extension of their stay.
Under the new rules, some students may need both forms to continue working in the US after graduation.
