留学生身份新规已经生效：F、J签证取消「身份有效期」，改为固定期限
对在美留学生来说，今年有一项影响每个人的身份规则变化已经落地：美国国土安全部7月17日公布的最终规则已于9月15日生效，F类学生、J类交流访问者以及I类外国媒体代表入境时，不再按过去的「身份有效期」（duration of status）管理，而是改为固定的入境期限。
旧制度下，F-1学生只要保持全日制在读，身份就持续有效，没有一个写在纸面上的到期日。新规生效后，每位学生会拿到一个明确的停留期限；如果课程读不完、或要在毕业后申请实习许可（OPT）等需要更长时间的，必须在期限届满前向美国公民及移民服务局（USCIS）递交延期申请，获批后才能继续合法停留。
据国土安全部「留学美国」（Study in the States）项目说明，新规对生效前已在美的学生分阶段实施，细节以个人情况而定。学校方面，指定学校官员（DSO）的责任也更具体：每学期开学后30天内完成SEVIS注册，学生信息有变动须在21天内更新，并确保每名学生的项目结束日期在SEVIS系统与I-20表上准确无误。
留学生事务专家提醒，这项变化意味着「到期日管理」从此成为留学生的必修课：护照、I-20与入境记录上的日期要定期核对，需要延期时务必提前与学校国际学生办公室沟通，不要拖到期限临近才办理。如对新规如何适用于自己有疑问，应直接咨询本校DSO或移民律师。（来源：美国国土安全部）
New Rule in Effect: F and J Students Now Admitted for a Fixed Period Instead of 'Duration of Status'
A rule change affecting every international student in the United States is now in effect. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's final rule, published on July 17, 2026, took effect on Sept. 15: F students, J exchange visitors, and I foreign media representatives are no longer admitted for the open-ended 'duration of status,' but for a fixed time period instead.
Under the old system, an F-1 student remained in status as long as they pursued a full course of study, with no printed end date. Now each student receives a defined period of admission. Anyone who needs more time, whether to finish a program or to request post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), must file an extension-of-stay request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the period expires and be approved to remain lawfully.
According to DHS's Study in the States program, the rule is phased in for students who were in the United States before its effective date, and how it applies depends on individual circumstances. Schools' designated school officials (DSOs) also carry clearer duties: completing SEVIS registration no later than 30 days after the start of a session, updating records within 21 days of any change, and keeping each student's program end date accurate in SEVIS and on the Form I-20.
Advisers say deadline management is now an essential skill for international students: check the dates on your passport, I-20, and admission record regularly, and talk to your international student office well before any extension is due. Students unsure how the rule applies to them should consult their DSO or an immigration attorney. (Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
来源：美国国土安全部
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：大学生在校园里（资料图）。CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Students on a university campus (file photo). CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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