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The DHS final rule: What it means for you.
The DHS final rule is published and takes effect September 15, 2026.
Get a practical, source-based briefing from two immigration attorneys and a university PDSO - so you know exactly what changes and what to do before the effective date.
Replay and event follow-up will be sent to registrants.
Get the final rule briefing and the replay.
Register for live access and event updates. If you cannot attend live, the replay will be sent to registered attendees.
Legal interpretation meets the school-side reality.
The session combines immigration law and university SEVIS operations to explain both the rule and its practical implementation.
One session. Six useful conversations.
Understand where the rule stands, how it may affect students, and which records, deadlines, and decisions matter most.
effective Sept 15
What that timeline means
Final text
Understand what changed from the original proposal.
Student impact
Review implications for F-1, OPT, STEM OPT, and Day 1 CPT.
Key deadlines
Identify dates that may influence your next status decision.
Preparation list
Know which records and school documents to organize early.
Live Q&A
Bring one general question for the expert panel.
Four shifts that may change how you plan.
The event will confirm the final text before suggesting action. These are key issues to understand, not final legal conclusions.
Proposed rule published
Fixed admission periods proposed.
Federal review concluded
Final rule cleared OMB review.
Final rule published
Final rule published in the Federal Register
Rule takes effect
60 days after publication
Admission periods
D/S has no fixed I-94 program end date.
I-94 will show a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD): your program end date, capped at 4 years, plus a 30-day grace period.
Extensions of stay
Extra time uses school and SEVIS updates.
Staying beyond your AUD requires a Form I-539 extension filed with USCIS (with fee). Transition relief: eligible students filing OPT/STEM OPT I-765 by the transition deadline may not need a separate I-539.
Transitions + travel
Transitions and travel follow status timelines.
If you leave and re-enter the U.S. on or after Sept 15, 2026, CBP will issue a date-specific I-94 — travel timing now matters.
University workflows
Schools use current I-20 and SEVIS workflows.
Schools are updating I-20/SEVIS procedures now — DSO coordination becomes time-sensitive.
Clear answers, before the event.
The event is educational and designed for students, graduates, and university advisers navigating possible D/S changes.
Yes. Registration and attendance are free. Registered attendees will also receive access to the replay.
Yes. The replay will be sent to registered attendees. Add the confirmed availability period before launch.
No. The session is relevant to F-1 students, OPT and STEM OPT participants, graduating students, and people planning another program or status transition.
No. Attendance is educational and does not create an attorney-client relationship or replace advice about an individual case.
You may submit a question. Speakers can provide general educational information, but the session is not an individualized legal consultation.
Get the rule breakdown before your next status decision.
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 · 3:00–5:00 PM PT | 6:00–8:00 PM ET · Live online + replay
Disclaimer: This event and the information on this page are provided for general educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Attending the briefing, registering, or submitting a question does not create an attorney-client relationship with any speaker or their law firm. Immigration rules and their implementation may change, including through litigation, agency guidance, or further government action; information presented is based on sources available as of the date of the event, including the DHS final rule published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026 (effective September 15, 2026). Every situation is different — for advice about your individual circumstances, please consult a licensed immigration attorney and your school's Designated School Official (DSO). This event is hosted by GoElite and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, or any government agency.