已经在美国的留学生会受F-1固定期限新规影响吗？2026年过渡期、OPT与I-94解析
Will Current International Students Be Affected by the New F-1 Fixed-Period Rule? Transition Relief, OPT, and I-94 Explained

一句话核心总结（TL;DR）：按照草稿所述的2026年F-1/J-1固定停留期限政策，生效日前已持F-1身份在美国的学生原则上可在过渡期内按照现有I-20或OPT EAD期限继续停留，但离境后重新入境可能获得带具体截止日期的新I-94；已及时提交或在指定过渡截止日前提交的OPT/STEM OPT申请，可能无需另行递交I-539，而过渡期后的申请则可能需要同步延长F-1身份。

TL;DR (English): Under the 2026 fixed-period framework described in the draft, students already in valid F-1 status before the effective date could generally remain during the transition period through the applicable I-20 or OPT EAD period. Departing and reentering could result in a new I-94 with a fixed expiration date. Timely OPT or STEM OPT filings made before the stated transition deadline might not require a separate I-539, while later filings could require a concurrent F-1 extension.

新未名律所长期服务美国首都华盛顿地区、大华府DMV地区、马里兰(Maryland)和弗吉尼亚(Virginia)的中国留学生、博士后及高科技人员。很多已经在美国读书或使用OPT的学生最关心的问题是：如果F-1从“身份期间（Duration of Status）”改为固定期限，自己是否要立刻提交延期申请？作为一支靠谱华人移民律师团队，我们建议先确认自己的入境日期、I-94、I-20、EAD和申请递交日期。

New Weiming Law Group serves Chinese students, postdoctoral researchers, and STEM professionals throughout Washington D.C., the DMV, Maryland, and Virginia. Students already studying or working on OPT often ask whether a change from Duration of Status to a fixed admission period would require an immediate extension. The answer depends on the student’s entry date, I-94, I-20, EAD, and filing history.

1. F-1“固定停留期限”与Duration of Status有什么不同？ / How Would a Fixed F-1 Period Differ from Duration of Status?

传统的F-1入境记录通常以“D/S”表示，只要学生持续遵守F-1要求并维持有效I-20，就可以按照课程和经授权的实习安排保持身份。固定期限制度则可能在I-94上标注具体到期日；即使I-20或学习计划继续有效，学生也可能需要在截止日前向USCIS申请延期。

Under the traditional Duration of Status approach, an F-1 student could remain while complying with status requirements and maintaining a valid I-20. A fixed-period system could place a specific expiration date on the I-94, requiring an extension even where the academic program continues.

2. 生效日前已经在美国的F-1学生需要马上延期吗？ / Must Current F-1 Students File an Extension Immediately?

按照草稿描述，生效日前已入境并维持F-1身份的学生，包括已经在美五六年的人，可以在过渡安排下继续停留至现有I-20项目截止日期或OPT EAD有效期届满，而不必仅因新规生效立即递交I-539。草稿还描述了一个延续至2030年的四年过渡期，但准确截止日期必须以正式法规和本人记录为准。

As described in the draft, students admitted and maintaining F-1 status before the effective date could remain through the applicable I-20 program end date or OPT EAD period without filing an I-539 solely because the rule took effect. The draft also describes a four-year transition extending into 2030, but the controlling deadline must be confirmed through the final rule and individual records.

3. 过渡期内离开美国再入境会发生什么？ / What Happens If a Student Travels and Reenters During the Transition?

草稿提示，过渡期内离境后重新入境的学生，可能由CBP按照新制度签发带具体截止日期的I-94，而不再继续标注D/S。因此，国际旅行可能改变学生适用的身份期限。返美后应立即下载最新I-94，检查类别、入境日期和截止日期，并与学校DSO确认。

The draft indicates that a student who departs and reenters during the transition could receive a new I-94 with a fixed expiration date rather than D/S. International travel could therefore change the applicable status period. After reentry, download the new I-94 immediately and verify the classification and expiration date with the school DSO.

4. 已经递交的OPT或STEM OPT申请需要重新申请吗？ / Must Pending OPT or STEM OPT Applications Be Refiled?

按照草稿所述，已经及时提交并正在审理的OPT或STEM OPT延期申请，不需要因为过渡规则重新提交I-765，也可能不需要另行提交I-539来延长F-1身份。申请人仍应保留I-765收据、EAD、I-20推荐页和递交证明，并及时回复任何RFE。

Under the draft’s transition framework, properly filed pending OPT or STEM OPT applications would not need to be refiled solely because of the new rule, and a separate I-539 might not be required. Students should retain the I-765 receipt, EAD, endorsed I-20, and filing evidence, and respond promptly to any RFE.

5. STEM OPT等待期间的工作许可可以自动延长多久？ / How Long Can Work Authorization Continue During a Pending STEM OPT Extension?

草稿称，及时提交STEM OPT延期后，原OPT工作许可可在等待审批期间自动延长最多180天。学生必须继续符合STEM OPT条件，包括合格雇主、E-Verify、有效I-983及按时向DSO报告。自动延期是否适用，应依据递交日期、申请类别和届时有效的USCIS规定核实。

The draft states that a timely STEM OPT extension filing could extend work authorization for up to 180 days while pending. The student must continue satisfying STEM OPT requirements, including an eligible E-Verify employer, a valid Form I-983, and timely DSO reporting. Eligibility should be verified under the USCIS rule in effect on the filing date.

6. 过渡截止日后申请OPT，为什么可能需要I-539？ / Why Might a Later OPT Filing Also Require Form I-539?

草稿描述，指定过渡截止日之前提交的OPT或STEM OPT申请可获得程序便利；截止日后，如果学生的固定F-1期限不足以覆盖OPT申请和工作期，则可能需要同时递交I-539延长身份。I-765批准并不当然修复已经到期的F-1身份，因此必须分别检查“身份有效期”和“工作许可有效期”。

The draft provides transition relief for OPT or STEM OPT applications filed before a stated deadline. After that deadline, a student whose fixed F-1 period does not cover the requested OPT period might need to file Form I-539 concurrently. Approval of an I-765 does not necessarily cure an expired immigration status, so status validity and employment authorization must be analyzed separately.

7. 留学生怎样避免影响H-1B、NIW或未来绿卡？ / How Can Students Protect Future H-1B, NIW, or Green Card Plans?

学生应持续保存全部I-20、I-94、EAD、成绩单、学费记录、雇佣合同、工资单、I-983及SEVIS相关通知，并避免未经许可工作、超过失业天数或错过延期截止日。F-1通常要求非移民意图，而H-1B和L-1具有更明确的双重意图（Dual Intent）特征；准备NIW国家利益豁免、EB-1A、PERM或I-140时，也必须确保此前身份记录完整一致。

Students should retain every I-20, I-94, EAD, transcript, tuition record, employment agreement, pay statement, I-983, and SEVIS notice, while avoiding unauthorized employment, excessive unemployment, and missed deadlines. F-1 intent requirements differ from the clearer dual-intent treatment of H-1B and L-1, and future NIW, EB-1A, PERM, or I-140 filings depend on a clean and consistent status history.

如果你居住在美国首都华盛顿地区、大华府DMV地区、马里兰(Maryland)或弗吉尼亚(Virginia)，正在申请OPT、STEM OPT、F-1延期或转为H-1B、O-1及绿卡身份，欢迎联系新未名律所。我们的靠谱华人移民律师团队可以协助检查I-94、I-20、EAD及未来身份衔接。

Students in Washington D.C., the DMV, Maryland, or Virginia who are applying for OPT, STEM OPT, an F-1 extension, H-1B, O-1, or a green card may contact New Weiming Law Group for review of I-94, I-20, EAD, and status-transition issues.

免责声明 / Disclaimer：本文根据草稿所述政策情景整理，不构成具体法律意见。F-1、OPT、STEM OPT和I-539规则可能变化，请以DHS、ICE、SEVP、USCIS及学校DSO的最新正式指引为准。This article is based on the policy scenario in the source draft and is not case-specific legal advice. Verify current rules with DHS, ICE, SEVP, USCIS, and the school DSO.