Important: These Rules Are Not Currently in Effect
The DHS final rule described on this page is not currently in effect. The rule was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, but a federal court issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking its implementation.
The existing F-1 and J-1 regulations, including the Duration of Status (D/S) framework, remain in effect. The information on this page explains the final rule as published and the changes that could apply if the rule is later permitted to take effect. See the latest Current Status update.
F-1 Academic Changes and School Transfers
The new regulations significantly restrict when F-1 students may change majors, change educational levels, or transfer to another school.
DHS uses the term “educational objectives” to refer to a student's major or educational level. The rules differ substantially for students below the graduate level and students at the graduate level or above.
Talk with IPO before changing your academic program
Do not change your major, educational level, or school based only on academic approval.
An academic change approved by a department, advisor, Graduate School, or Registrar may still be prohibited or require additional immigration action under F-1 regulations.
Contact IPO before finalizing the change.
Undergraduate and below
F-1 students at an educational level below the graduate level generally may not:
- Transfer to another school during the first academic year of the program, or
- Change educational objectives, including the major or educational level, during the first academic year.
SEVP may authorize an exception for qualifying extenuating circumstances, but the exception is intended to be narrow and must involve SEVP authorization.
After the first academic year, a student may potentially change majors or transfer if all other F-1 eligibility requirements are met.
Graduate level and above
F-1 students at the graduate level or above may not change educational objectives at any point during the program of study.
This means that changing the major or educational level during an existing graduate program may not be permitted.
Graduate students are also generally prohibited from transferring to another school during the program. However, SEVP may authorize a transfer in qualifying extenuating circumstances. The final rule does not create a similar exception allowing a graduate student to change educational objectives.
Extenuating circumstances are narrow
DHS has described qualifying transfer exceptions as rare circumstances beyond the control of the school and student, such as prolonged school closure, loss of authorization to enroll F-1 students, or inability to provide the required program because of a disaster or comparable emergency.
A desire to attend another institution or follow a faculty adviser to another university should not be assumed to qualify.
Other transfer requirements still apply
Even when a student is not barred by the new first-year or graduate restrictions, additional F-1 transfer requirements apply.
Factors that may affect eligibility include:
- Whether the student is maintaining F-1 status
- Full-time enrollment or properly authorized reduced course load
- Academic probation or suspension
- A pattern of repeated inability or unwillingness to complete a course of study
- The required timing between the current program, transfer release, and next program start
- Whether the new program extends beyond the student's current authorized period of stay
A transfer may also require a USCIS Extension of Stay if the transfer-in program extends beyond the student's current authorized period.
Starting another program after completing a degree
The new rule also restricts what F-1 students may study after completing a program in the United States on or after September 15, 2026.
After completing a program at one educational level, an F-1 student generally may not maintain, obtain, or be admitted in F-1 status to pursue another program at the same or a lower educational level.
For example:
- Bachelor → Master: permitted
- Master → Doctorate: permitted
- Bachelor → another Bachelor: prohibited
- Master → another Master: prohibited
- Master → Bachelor: prohibited
Programs completed before September 15, 2026 do not trigger this new prohibition. Programs completed outside the United States also do not trigger it.
DHS has indicated that additional guidance may be necessary for less obvious educational-level comparisons, such as professional degrees or post-graduate certificates.
Academic planning is now an immigration issue
Before changing majors, accepting admission into another program, changing educational levels, or requesting a SEVIS transfer, contact IPO.
Whenever possible, students should discuss immigration implications before withdrawing from a program, accepting a new admission offer, changing academic programs, or committing to another school.