Harvard issues advisory for international students ahead of US visa rule changes

Universities Advise Early Return Ahead of Visa Rule Change

Several American universities have asked international students to return to the US before September 15, when new immigration rules on fixed-term visas are due to come into effect, as reported by India Today. Institutions have issued advisories and held webinars and interactive sessions to explain how the rules will apply differently to those already in the country and those arriving after the deadline.

The new rule from the Department of Homeland Security will impose four-year limits and other restrictions on student visa status, according to India Today. Universities have told students, scholars and alumni on Optional Practical Training that their status, grace periods, and re-entry conditions could change depending on whether they are in the US before the rule takes effect.

Harvard's Guidance and the New Rules

According to India Today, the Harvard International Office recommends that J-1 scholars and F-1 and J-1 international students enrolled in on-campus programmes this fall should be in the US before the new rule starts. A university advisory cited by India Today states that students entering the US prior to September 15, 2026, or who are in the US on that date, retain D/S (Duration of Status) on their I-94 form, while those entering on or after that date will have a fixed AUD (Admit Until Date) on their arrival record.

Students already in the US when the rule takes effect can remain without filing for an extension until the later of their programme end date or the expiry of their post-completion work authorisation, up to a maximum of four years. However, current students who leave and return after September 15 become subject to the new rule, according to India Today. The advisory also warned that re-entering after the deadline may result in the Admit Until Date being matched to the programme end date, potentially affecting future extensions.

Changes to Grace Periods and Restrictions

India Today reports that existing grace periods are 60 days for F-1 visa holders and 30 days for J-1 visa holders, but under the new rule the F-1 grace period will be reduced to 30 days. ThePrint adds that under the new 2026 F-1 and J-1 visa policy, students receive a specific 'Admit Until' date on their I-94 form, which is an official arrival and departure record. Students hoping to remain in the United States beyond their authorized admission period will be required to file for an extension through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a change from the existing system where students could extend their programme dates through their universities without separately applying, according to The Crimson newsletter as cited by ThePrint.

Additionally, ThePrint notes that the new rules restrict students from transferring to another institution or changing their course of study.

Widening University Advisories

India Today reports that beyond Harvard, universities including Chicago, Georgetown, and Ohio State have sent advisories to students, PhD scholars, and alumni on Optional Curricular Practical Training (OPT). India Today also notes Columbia University recommends that all students return to New York City before the start of classes on September 8, 2026, because the final rule includes a 60-day implementation period.

Student Uncertainty and Institutional Response

ThePrint reports that these changes are seen as an attempt at better immigration monitoring under the current administration, but they have left students uncertain about how their visa applications could be affected. The Harvard International Office acknowledged that the rule change has been 'confusing and unsettling' for the higher education community, adding that they are fielding many questions and working with national higher education associations to gather more information, though clarity might not be fully available by the effective date of September 15, 2026.

Legal Opposition

The new rules are also facing litigation. According to ThePrint, Harvard is part of a coalition of higher education and labour unions that has filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to block the rule while the suit proceeds. This coalition includes the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Institutions of Higher Education in Massachusetts. India Today Indonesia: eight organisations have filed a lawsuit to block the rule before its start date, arguing that the Department of Homeland Security did not adequately consider the rule's impact.