2026年新政后F-1和J-1身份延期全解析：I-94截止日、I-539申请与关键风险 F-1 & J-1 Extension of Stay After the 2026 Rule Change: I-94 Deadlines, I-539 Filing & Critical Risks

一句话核心总结（TL;DR）：2026年9月15日新规生效后，F-1留学生和J-1访问学者将不再享有Duration of Status（D/S）——I-94上将出现明确的"Admit Until Date"截止日期。如果学业或项目未完成、或需要申请OPT，必须在I-94到期前向USCIS提交Form I-539延期申请（Extension of Stay），否则将开始累计非法滞留（Unlawful Presence）。延期最早可在到期前180天提交；I-539 pending期间通常允许合法等待，但被拒后没有宽限期。家属（F-2/J-2）可以一起申请。出境再入境是另一选项，但需提前完整规划，避免I-539被视为放弃。

TL;DR (English): After September 15, 2026, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will no longer have Duration of Status (D/S)—the I-94 will show an explicit "Admit Until Date." If studies or programs are not completed, or OPT is needed, applicants must file Form I-539 (Extension of Stay) with USCIS before the I-94 expires, or risk accruing unlawful presence. Filing may begin up to 180 days before expiration; a timely-filed I-539 generally allows continued lawful stay while pending, but denial carries no grace period. Dependents (F-2/J-2) may be included. Departing and re-entering is an alternative, but requires careful advance planning to avoid the I-539 being deemed abandoned.

这是美国留学生和访问学者身份管理方式数十年来最大的一次结构性变化。新未名律所立足美国首都华盛顿地区，服务大华府DMV地区、马里兰(Maryland)和弗吉尼亚(Virginia)的华人留学生、博士后和高科技/科研人员，以下是我们根据最终规则和实务经验整理的全面解析。

This is the most significant structural change to F and J status management in decades. New Weiming Law Group, based in Washington D.C. and serving the Chinese community across the DMV, Maryland, and Virginia, presents the following comprehensive analysis based on the final rule and practical experience.

1. Duration of Status取消后，F-1和J-1的停留期限怎么确定？ / How Will F-1 and J-1 Stay Periods Be Determined After D/S Is Eliminated?

过去：F-1留学生和J-1访问学者入境时，I-94上标注的是"D/S"（Duration of Status）。只要I-20表（F-1）或DS-2019表（J-1）有效，不需要因为项目延长而另外向USCIS申请延期。身份有效期由学校或交流项目决定，而不是I-94上的日期。

Previously: F-1 and J-1 holders received "D/S" on their I-94. As long as the I-20 or DS-2019 remained valid, no separate USCIS extension filing was required—the school or program controlled the status period.

2026年9月15日新规生效后：I-94上将出现一个明确的"Admit Until Date"（允许停留的截止日期）。这个日期——而不是I-20或DS-2019上的项目结束日期——将成为你在美国合法停留的法定截止日。即使学校延长了你的I-20，如果I-94到期了而你没有获得USCIS的延期批准，你的合法停留期就结束了。

After September 15, 2026: The I-94 will display a specific "Admit Until Date." This date—not the program end date on the I-20 or DS-2019—becomes the legal deadline for lawful stay. Even if the school extends your I-20, if the I-94 expires without a USCIS-approved extension, your authorized stay ends.

2. 如果I-94到期前学业或项目未完成，应该怎么办？ / What Should You Do If Your Program Is Not Finished Before the I-94 Expires?

你有两个选择：

• 选择一：在美国境内提交I-539延期申请（Extension of Stay）
  向USCIS提交Form I-539，申请延长在美停留期限。这是最常见的方案。
  Option 1: File Form I-539 with USCIS for Extension of Stay. This is the most common approach.
• 选择二：出境后凭更新的I-20/DS-2019重新申请入境
  离开美国，取得延长后的I-20或DS-2019，然后重新在入境口岸获取新的I-94。需要确保签证仍然有效，或者重新申请签证。
  Option 2: Depart the U.S., obtain an updated I-20/DS-2019, and re-enter with a new I-94. Ensure the visa stamp is still valid or apply for a new visa.

注意：这里说的延期是美国境内身份和合法停留期限的延期（Extension of Stay），不是护照上的签证页（visa stamp）。签证页是入境许可证，由使领馆签发；I-94是在美停留授权，由CBP或USCIS决定。两者是不同的概念。

Note: The extension discussed here is for in-country status and authorized stay (I-94 period), not the visa stamp in the passport. The visa stamp is an entry permit issued by a consulate; the I-94 is the stay authorization determined by CBP or USCIS—they are distinct concepts.

3. I-539延期申请的时间节点和关键规则是什么？ / What Are the Critical Timelines and Rules for I-539 Extension Filing?

• 最早提交时间：当前I-94到期前180天即可提交I-539。不要等到I-94快到期时才准备。
  Earliest filing: Up to 180 days before the current I-94 expiration. Do not wait until the last minute.
• 生物识别（指纹）：新的延期或转换身份申请一般需要到USCIS的Application Support Center (ASC)打指纹（biometrics appointment）。
  Biometrics: New extension or change-of-status filings generally require a biometrics appointment at a USCIS ASC.
• Timely Filing保护（及时提交保护）：如果I-539在当前I-94到期日之前被USCIS接收（received，非批准），即使案件在I-94到期后仍在审理中，申请人通常仍处于"authorized period of stay"（被允许等待审理的合法期间）。
  If I-539 is received by USCIS before the I-94 expires, the applicant is generally in an "authorized period of stay" while the case remains pending, even past the I-94 date.
• 但"等待"不等于"批准"：Timely filing保护意味着你不会立即开始累计unlawful presence，但这不代表延期已经批准，也不代表所有学习或工作授权都会自动延长。尤其涉及OPT工作授权的，应当另外确认EAD卡的有效期和相关授权状态。
  "Pending" does not mean "approved." Timely filing protects against unlawful presence accrual, but does not automatically extend study or work authorization—especially OPT. Confirm EAD validity and related authorizations separately.

4. I-539等待期间可以出境旅行吗？会不会导致申请作废？ / Can You Travel Outside the U.S. While I-539 Is Pending? Will It Abandon the Application?

这是一个极其重要且容易出错的问题。I-539等待期间出境离开美国，不代表申请就一定作废，但需要非常谨慎地规划：

This is a critically important and error-prone issue. Departing the U.S. while I-539 is pending does not automatically void the application, but careful planning is essential:

• 安全情形：如果申请人在原I-94停留期限届满前离境，又在原期限届满前返回美国，并且只要求获得原来剩余的停留时间——USCIS一般不会把I-539视为放弃（abandoned）。
  Safe scenario: If the applicant departs before the original I-94 expires, re-enters before it expires, and only requests the remaining original stay period, USCIS generally will not deem the I-539 abandoned.
• 风险情形：如果入境时出示新的I-20或DS-2019，并且在入境口岸获得了超过原I-94期限的新入境期限（即新的Admit Until Date），USCIS可能将境内等待的I-539视为已经放弃——因为新入境已经替代了旧的停留授权。
  Risky scenario: If re-entering with a new I-20/DS-2019 and receiving a new Admit Until Date beyond the original I-94, USCIS may deem the pending I-539 abandoned—the new admission supersedes the old authorization.

结论：究竟选择境内延期（I-539），还是出境重新入境，必须在旅行前作出完整规划。两种路径各有利弊和风险，不能临时决定。联系靠谱华人移民律师在出行前做全面评估。

Conclusion: Whether to extend in-country (I-539) or depart and re-enter must be planned comprehensively before travel. Each path carries distinct advantages and risks. Consult a qualified immigration attorney before making any travel decision.

5. F-2和J-2家属如何一起申请延期？有哪些注意事项？ / How Can F-2 and J-2 Dependents File for Extension Together? What Should They Watch For?

• 纸质邮寄（Paper Filing）：家属可以通过Form I-539A加入主申请人的I-539案件。一般不需要每人另外缴纳一份I-539申请费（co-applicants on I-539A share the primary filing fee）。
  Dependents may join the primary applicant's I-539 via Form I-539A; generally no separate fee is required per co-applicant.
• 网上提交（Online Filing）：家属通常需要各自分别提交I-539，并分别缴费。费用会更高。
  For online filing, each dependent typically must submit a separate I-539 and pay a separate fee.
• 护照有效期限制：如果某个家庭成员的护照较早过期（passport expiration date earlier than others），或者其允许停留期限较短，整个家庭获批的延期时间可能受到这个最短期限的限制。建议在申请前确保所有家庭成员的护照有效期足够长。
  If any family member's passport expires earlier, the entire family's approved extension may be limited to the shortest expiration date. Ensure all passports have sufficient validity before filing.
• F-2/J-2各自的身份限制不变：F-2不能工作也不能全日制学习（仅可part-time或recreational study）；J-2可以另外申请EAD工作卡。延期不改变这些基本规则。
  F-2 cannot work or study full-time; J-2 may apply for an EAD. Extension does not change these underlying rules.

6. 2026年9月15日当天已在美国的F/J/I身份持有人怎么办？ / What About F/J/I Holders Already in the U.S. on September 15, 2026?

如新未名律所此前分析的：对于在2026年9月15日新规生效当天已经持F、J或I身份留在美国的人，有专门的过渡规定（Transition Provisions）。这些人的处理方式与新规生效后首次入境的人不同，需要根据以下因素单独判断：

• 本人当时的I-94记录（是D/S还是已有截止日期）；
• 在新规生效后是否曾出境并重新入境；
• 项目预计结束日期（program end date on I-20/DS-2019）；
• OPT安排（是否已申请、是否已获批、EAD卡有效期）；
• 是否需要延长项目或转换身份。

这部分不能与新入境人员的规则混为一谈。过渡期的规定更加复杂，每个人的情况需要个案分析。建议在新规生效前就开始与律师一起评估和规划。

Transition rules must not be confused with rules for new entrants. The transitional provisions are more complex and require case-by-case analysis based on the individual's I-94, travel history, program dates, OPT status, and extension needs. Begin evaluation and planning with an attorney well before the rule takes effect.

2026年新政对每一位在美留学生和访问学者都将产生直接影响。无论你是即将面临I-94到期需要延期，还是需要在OPT、STEM OPT、H-1B抽签、J-1豁免、I-140/I-485优先日规划等方面做出决策，新未名律所的靠谱华人移民律师团队都可以为你提供专业评估。我们服务美国首都华盛顿地区、大华府DMV地区、马里兰(Maryland)、弗吉尼亚(Virginia)及全美的华人留学生、博士后和科研人员——从F-1/J-1身份维护到NIW/EB-1A绿卡申请，从PERM到I-485，我们帮你做完整的身份规划。

The 2026 rule change will directly affect every F-1 student and J-1 scholar in the United States. Whether you face an upcoming I-94 expiration requiring extension, or need to make decisions about OPT, STEM OPT, H-1B lottery, J-1 waiver, I-140/I-485 priority date planning, or other status transitions, New Weiming Law Group's team in Washington D.C., the DMV, Maryland, and Virginia provides professional assessments for Chinese students, postdocs, and researchers nationwide—from F-1/J-1 status maintenance to NIW/EB-1A green card applications, from PERM to I-485, we help you plan a complete immigration path.

免责声明 / Disclaimer：本文仅提供美国移民法的一般性信息和对2026年F/J身份新规的解读，不构成针对具体案件的法律意见，也不保证任何签证延期或身份转换结果。最终规则的实施细则、USCIS审批标准和过渡规定可能进一步调整，请以联邦公报（Federal Register）、USCIS官方指南及届时有效的规定为准，并咨询合格的美国移民律师。This article provides general U.S. immigration information and interpretation of the 2026 F/J rule change only. It is not case-specific legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome. Implementation details, USCIS standards, and transition provisions may be further refined; consult the Federal Register, official USCIS guidance, and a qualified attorney.