Immigration Updates for F‑1 & J‑1 Students

• New CPT requests will be reviewed under the revised federal interpretation.
• Pending CPT applications that do not meet the clarified federal standard will not be approved.
• Previously approved CPT authorizations will be reevaluated and, when necessary, will be rescinded to maintain institutional compliance.
• Academic programs seeking to support CPT authorization must be able to demonstrate that the practical training experience is an integral and required component of the curriculum for all students in that program.

All F-1 students

At this time we encourage international students to contact a Designated School Official (DSO) in our office immediately via phone (419-372-2247) or email if:

• You have already begun employment under the CPT authorization.
• You have accepted an internship or employment offer based on the CPT approval.
• You would like to discuss alternative employment authorization options that may be available to you.

Current system (D/S)

• Most F-1 and J-1 students are admitted for "D/S" (Duration of Status).
• This means students may remain in the United States as long as they maintain their status and have valid program documentation.

Proposed system (Fixed Admission Period)

If the final rule is ultimately implemented:

• F-1 and J-1 students will be admitted for a fixed period of time based on their program length, up to a maximum of 4 years per admission period.
• Your I-94 record will show a specific admission expiration date instead of "D/S."
• Students and exchange visitors who need additional time beyond their admission period will generally need to apply to USCIS for an Extension of Stay (EOS).

Proposed grace period changes: The final rule would reduce the post-completion grace period for many F-1 students from 60 days to 30 days. J-1 exchange visitors would continue to have a 30-day grace period.

At this time, students and exchange visitors currently in the United States continue to be governed by the existing Duration of Status (D/S) regulations. If the final rule is allowed to take effect in the future, DHS has indicated that transition provisions would apply to students and exchange visitors who were in the United States before the implementation date.

What does this mean?

Currently, no action is required as a result of the final rule. Students should continue maintaining their immigration status under existing regulations. The Office of International Programs and Partnerships (IPP) is closely monitoring the litigation and any future government guidance and will provide updates as they become available.

Do you need additional time?

At this time, students should continue to follow existing procedures for program extensions, OPT, STEM OPT and Academic Training. If the final rule is implemented in the future, some students and exchange visitors may need to apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS to:

• Complete your academic program
• Complete approved OPT or STEM OPT (F-1)
• Complete authorized Academic Training (J-1)
• Continue an approved exchange visitor program
• Remain in status beyond the admission period granted on your I-94

Are you considering transferring?

If you are planning to transfer after the final rule takes effect:

• Undergraduate F-1 students generally may not transfer to another U.S. school during their first academic year unless an exception is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) based on extenuating circumstances.
• Undergraduate F-1 students generally may not change their major during their first academic year unless SEVP approves an exception due to extenuating circumstances.
• Students who complete a degree program and wish to begin another program at the same academic level may need to obtain an Extension of Stay and meet additional requirements under the new regulations. DHS has stated that the rule limits certain educational progression pathways that were previously permitted under Duration of Status.
• Students pursuing a higher academic level (for example, bachelor's to master's or master's to doctoral studies) may need additional immigration processing, including an Extension of Stay, depending on their admission period and timing of program changes.
• J-1 exchange visitors remain subject to the terms of their authorized exchange visitor program. Program changes, transfers between sponsors, extensions and Academic Training requests may require additional review and, in some cases, an Extension of Stay application if additional time is needed beyond the admission period shown on the I-94 record.

The restrictions on transfers, changes of major and certain educational progression pathways described in the final rule are not currently in effect because implementation of the rule has been temporarily blocked by the court. IPP will provide updated guidance if the rule is ultimately implemented.

Who is affected?

All F-1 and J-1 students should remain informed about developments related to the litigation and any future implementation of the final rule.

What action should you take?

• Continue maintaining your current immigration status.
• Keep your passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019 and I-94 records valid and up-to-date.
• Consult IPP before making travel, transfer or program extension decisions.
• Monitor IPP communications for additional guidance as DHS, USCIS, SEVP and the Department of State release implementation instructions.

• If you are from one of the affected countries, you may not be allowed to enter the United States at this time – even if you have a valid visa.
• If you are already inside the U.S., the travel ban does not affect your ability to stay, study or continue your program.

If you leave the U.S. while the ban is in place, you may not be able to return, even with a valid visa.

The fully restricted countries are Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

The partially restricted countries are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan (which is restricted to immigrant visas only), Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

If you are a national of one of the 19 fully suspended countries, you cannot enter the U.S. while the ban is in effect – even with a valid visa.

If you are already inside the U.S., the ban does not affect your ability to stay or continue studying. If you think you may be affected, contact BGSU International Programs and Partnerships before making any travel plans.

All F-1/J-1 visa applicants

• Make sure your online information is accurate and consistent with your visa application (name, school, field of study).
• Avoid posting anything that could be seen as threatening, violent or intentionally misleading.
• If you use humor or sarcasm online, remember that it may not translate well to someone reviewing your profile.
• You do not need to delete your accounts. Just be thoughtful about what is public.

If you have questions, BGSU is here to help. If you’re unsure about what to list or how this process works, reach out to International Programs and Partnerships for guidance.