The record
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- The US Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule, effective September 15, replacing the 'duration of status' system for international students with a fixed tenure of stay.
- Students already in the US under D/S can stay until their programme end date or the end of approved OPT/STEM OPT, subject to an overall cap of four years.
- As a transition measure, eligible students who file for OPT or STEM OPT within six months of the rule taking effect do not need to file a separate Form I-539 to extend their status.
- About 1.4 lakh Indian students were undergoing OPT in 2024–25, making these transition provisions significant for them.
What to watch next
- Whether DHS extends the temporary I-539 filing exemption in additional six-month increments.
- Impact of the November 14, 2030 cap date on students with longer programmes.
- How international travel before filing Form I-765 affects students' OPT filing options under the new rule.
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Named United States · India · Abhinav Tripathi · Department of Homeland Security · Open Doors · Times of India
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