Penn International Student and Scholar Services announced that no immediate action is required after the United States Department of Homeland Security released a final rule that would significantly change how certain visa-holders maintain lawful status.
The rule — which is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on July 17 and is not yet in effect — would replace the longstanding “Duration of Status” system with fixed admission periods for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and their dependents. Individuals needing additional time beyond their authorized admission period would generally be required to apply for an Extension of Stay through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
In a notice to the Penn community, ISSS Director Rudie Altamirano wrote that ISSS is reviewing the regulation and assessing its potential impact.
“Our advice at this stage is straightforward: there is no immediate action required,” Altamirano wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian. “Students and scholars should continue following current immigration regulations and ISSS guidance while ISSS completes its review and awaits the rule’s official publication and any subsequent federal implementation guidance.”
Students are also advised to continue complying with current requirements regarding “enrollment, employment authorization, travel, and reporting” and should not submit new immigration applications based solely on the announcement, according to ISSS.
Under current regulations, most F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors are admitted under the Duration of Status model, allowing them to remain in the U.S. for the length of their academic or exchange program if they maintain their immigration status. Under the new DHS rule, admissions would instead expire on a specific date. Individuals who require additional time to complete their program generally would need to file an Extension of Stay application with USCIS.
The rule also includes revised grace periods and additional procedures related to maintaining lawful status. According to DHS, F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants generally would receive admission for the length of their program, not to exceed four years, after which extensions would require federal approval.
Altamirano wrote in the update that ISSS is conducting “a detailed review of the Final Rule” and is working with Penn’s Immigration Working Group and other University partners to evaluate operational and compliance impacts.
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The office also stated that it is monitoring implementation guidance from DHS, USCIS, and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program while developing advising materials and implementation plans for Penn’s international community.
Altamirano wrote to the DP that ISSS “has developed a coordinated communications plan” that involves online updates, contact with affected individuals, and a University-wide informational webinar.
In the preamble to the final rule, DHS wrote that the changes are intended to provide “additional protections and oversight” of student and exchange visitor visa categories by giving immigration officials periodic opportunities to determine whether individuals continue to comply with the conditions of their status.
The department additionally wrote that the current Duration of Status system limits its ability to verify compliance and “has created incentives for fraud and abuse.”
According to ISSS, current Forms I-20 and DS-2019 “remain valid under existing regulations.” The office also wrote that “current rules governing employment authorization remain in effect at this time” and that it is reviewing whether implementation of the rule “will affect these processes and will communicate any changes as they become available.”
The rule is scheduled to become effective 60 days after its publication unless that timeline changes during the congressional review process.
ISSS wrote that it expects to provide additional guidance after the rule is officially published and after DHS releases implementation instructions.
“Because this is a developing federal regulation, we may not yet have answers to every implementation question, but we are committed to providing timely and accurate information as guidance becomes available,” Altamirano wrote.
In April 2025, ISSS announced that “at least three” student visas were revoked by the federal government. At the time, faculty members criticized the Penn administration’s lack of both transparency and clarification on the issue.
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Senior reporter Ananya Karthik covers central administration and can be reached at karthik@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies communication and economics. Follow her on X @ananyaakarthik.
