On Monday, September 14th, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Department of Homeland Security's rule that would have replaced D/S with a fixed four-year admission period for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. The rule had been scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.

What this means for our students:

• The prior Duration of Status framework remains in effect. You do not need to apply for an Extension of Stay under the new rule.
• Your I-94 and current admission terms are unaffected for now.
• This is a preliminary injunction and not a final resolution. The underlying lawsuit continues, and the government may appeal, so this situation could change again.

We will continue to monitor this case closely and will update you immediately if anything changes. In the meantime, please continue to maintain your normal status obligations, and don't hesitate to reach out to our office with any questions. You can read more about the ruling here.

We received guidance from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

• You may read the full regulations here.
• What this means for CPT at BYU:
  
  • An internship, practicum, clinical experience, or similar practical training must be a required component for all students in your degree program.
  • The credits associated with the CPT experience must actually apply toward your graduation requirements rather than simply being additional credits beyond what is required to earn your degree.

For additional information, you may also read the email ISSS sent to students regarding these CPT requirements here.

Under U.S. immigration law, you must carry proof of your immigration registration at all times while in the U.S. (https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration). For most international students, this requirement is already satisfied through the issuance of an Form I-94 when admitted.

The law is not clear whether you should carry original documents or copies of those original documents. However, it is generally advisable to carry, at a minimum, paper or electronic versions of the following lawful status documents:

• Your most recent Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
• Your Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 exchange visitors)
• The biographical page of your passport
• Your U.S. visa page (if applicable) 

If you choose to carry your original documents, we strongly recommend that you take necessary precautions to keep those original documents secure.