Norma definitiva del DHS por la que se elimina la «duración del estatus» (D/S): consejos prácticos y procedimientos de transición
Juliana LaMendola • September 3, 2026
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El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS) ha publicado su norma definitiva por la que se elimina la política de larga data de «duración del estatus» (D/S por sus siglas en inglés) para los titulares de visados F, J e I, sustituyéndola por un período fijo de admisión a partir del 15 de septiembre de 2026. Esta norma exige que quienes necesiten más tiempo para completar sus programas deban presentar el formulario I-539 ante el USCIS o viajar al extranjero y solicitar la reentrada para prorrogar su período de estancia autorizado.
Los titulares de visados F y J que se encuentren en Estados Unidos y tengan un estatus válido a 15 de septiembre de 2026 podrán permanecer en Estados Unidos hasta la fecha de finalización del programa que figure en su formulario I-20 actual (para los visados F-1) o en su formulario DS-2019 (para los visados J-1), hasta un máximo de cuatro años (hasta el 15 de septiembre de 2030), más un período de gracia de 60 días para los titulares de visados F-1 y de 30 días para los titulares de visados J-1, sin necesidad de presentar una solicitud de prórroga de estatus ante el USCIS. Sin embargo, esta medida de protección solo se aplica mientras permanezcan en Estados Unidos; los viajes al extranjero y la posterior reentrada después del 15 de septiembre de 2026 darán lugar a una readmisión conforme a la nueva normativa con un formulario I-94 que caduca en la fecha de finalización del programa o en la fecha de caducidad del Documento de Autorización de Empleo (EAD), pero no más tarde de cuatro años después de la fecha de reentrada. Además, una vez readmitidos con arreglo a las nuevas normas, los titulares de visados F-1 solo disfrutarán de un período de gracia de 30 días.
Consejos prácticos para poner en práctica de inmediato:
- Cualquier titular de un visado de no inmigrante F-1 o J-1 que se encuentre actualmente en Estados Unidos y tenga previsto cambiar de programa, iniciar un nuevo nivel de titulación o necesite más tiempo para completar sus estudios deberá ponerse en contacto con su centro educativo o con el patrocinador de su programa para actualizar su expediente en el SEVIS y recibir un formulario I-20 o DS-2019 prorrogado antes del 15 de septiembre de 2026.
- Los estudiantes con visado F-1 que cumplan los requisitos deberán presentar sus solicitudes de autorización de trabajo OPT tras la finalización de los estudios o OPT para STEM (formulario I-765) antes del 15 de septiembre de 2026, con el fin de garantizar su estatus y reducir drásticamente la probabilidad de tener que presentar una solicitud de prórroga mediante el formulario I-539.
- Cualquier estudiante con visado F-1 que reúna los requisitos para solicitar el OPT o el STEM OPT antes del 18 de marzo de 2027 debería hacerlo tan pronto como pueda presentar el formulario I-765. Dado que los titulares de visados F-1 pueden presentar solicitudes de OPT hasta 90 días antes de la graduación, los estudiantes con visado F-1 que se gradúen antes del 15 de junio de 2027 deberían poder presentar sus solicitudes de OPT antes del 18 de marzo de 2027, y deberían hacerlo para evitar tener que presentar también el formulario I-539 para prorrogar su estancia. Por lo tanto, la mayoría de los estudiantes con visado F-1 que se gradúen en diciembre de 2026 y en mayo/junio de 2027 deberían poder beneficiarse del aplazamiento que establece la norma de transición respecto a la presentación del formulario I-539 y solo tendrían que presentar el formulario I-765 para solicitar el OPT.
- Los futuros estudiantes con visado F-1 y J-1 que puedan entrar en Estados Unidos antes de la fecha de entrada en vigor del 15 de septiembre de 2026 (dentro del plazo permitido de 30 días antes del inicio de su programa) deberían hacerlo para beneficiarse de las normas de transición, incluido el periodo de gracia completo de 60 días del visado F-1 y los requisitos de prórroga diferida.
- Los estudiantes (con visados F-1 y J-1) que tengan previsto realizar un viaje al extranjero deberían regresar antes de la fecha de entrada en vigor, si es posible, para conservar sus beneficios de transición.
Hay muchos aspectos de la normativa que no se tratan aquí. Si actualmente eres titular de un visado F-1 o J-1, deberías coordinarte de forma proactiva con tu centro educativo y la oficina de relaciones internacionales para proteger tu estatus y mantenerte informado.
Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información que aquí lea.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits. There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a regulatory proposal that would remove the discretionary 60-day grace period currently available to certain nonimmigrant visa holders (including H-1B, L-1, TN, E, and O-1) and their dependents. The draft rule is currently undergoing interagency review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet been formally published for public feedback. What This Means Right Now Nothing changes today. The 60-day grace period remains in effect while this rule goes through the approval process. Under current rules, if your job ends early, you have up to 60 days (or until your I-94 expires) to leave the U.S., find a new sponsor, or apply to change status. What Could Change If approved, foreign workers who lose their jobs would no longer get automatic time to find a new employer or change status from within the U.S. They would generally be required to leave the country immediately. Next Steps Once the OMB finishes its initial review, the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, opening a public comment period of 30 to 60 days. Based on feedback received during this time, DHS may decide to alter, withdraw, or proceed with the proposal. If the government decides to finalize the rule, the entire process will likely take several months before taking effect. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor developments closely and will share updates on our immigration blog and social media pages as more details emerge.
