The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is finishing a regulatory package that would change how F (academic student), J (exchange visitor) and I (journalist/representative) visa programs are administered in the United States. Legal and higher-education observers say the rule—now under final review—targets the flexibility that many international students and scholars have relied on, including how long stays are recorded and how work authorizations are granted.
Although the text of the final rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register, advocacy groups and immigration counsel warn that changes could include replacing open-ended “duration of status” (D/S) entries with fixed departure dates on I-94 records, increasing reporting and documentation requirements for schools and sponsors, and tightening rules around practical training and academic appointments. For Jordanian and Middle Eastern students, these shifts could complicate planning for post-graduation work (OPT and academic training), research appointments, or changes of status to work visas.
What students should do now: first, consult your university’s international student office (DSO/RO) immediately and keep copies of all SEVIS/I-20 or DS-2019 documents. If you expect to apply for post-completion OPT, remember USCIS allows filing up to 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days after your program end; apply as early as possible given potential processing delays. Exchange visitors on J status should check academic-training authorization windows and coordinate with their program sponsors now. Students planning to enter U.S. programs in Fall 2026 should request clear start/end dates on admission documents and ensure proof of financial support is well documented.
Plan backup options: review alternative pathways (private-sector employment sponsorship, graduate program deferral, or study in other countries) and keep timelines flexible. If you are currently in the U.S., avoid gaps in enrollment or unauthorized work; maintain regular communication with your DSO/RO and consider speaking with immigration counsel when a status change is likely. Institutional reporting requirements may increase, so expect universities to ask for more frequent confirmations of your enrollment and employment.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help students in Jordan interpret how changes would affect specific plans—whether applying for undergraduate or graduate study, preparing OPT applications, or arranging sponsor documents for J programs. We recommend clients prepare document packets now and schedule a status review session to update timelines and contingency plans.
Watch for the official Federal Register publication: the final rule will list an effective date and any transitional provisions. When that notice appears, it will specify compliance deadlines; until then, prioritize maintaining valid status, early filings for authorizations like OPT, and documentation requested by your institution or program sponsor. For guidance, contact Shatnawi Education via WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com for a consultation.