Transfer Your F-1 Status Before September 15, 2026 and Study Acting in Los Angeles for Up to Three Years
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Trump Administration Caps How Long International Students Can Stay in the United States
International students currently maintaining valid F-1 status may be eligible to transfer their active SEVIS records to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory before September 15, 2026.
Students accepted into an eligible program at our acting school in Los Angeles may pursue professional acting studies for up to three years, provided they continue to maintain lawful F-1 status, enroll in the required full course of study, make satisfactory academic progress, and comply with all federal immigration requirements.
Students often refer to this process as “transferring an F-1 visa.” Technically, however, the student transfers their SEVIS record from one SEVP-certified school to another. Federal guidance confirms that eligible F-1 students may transfer between SEVP-certified institutions.
Because students must first apply, receive acceptance, submit the required financial and immigration documents, and coordinate with the Designated School Official at their current school, anyone considering a transfer should begin the process well before September 15, 2026.
Contact International Admissions
Los Angeles Acting Conservatory
10820 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone and WhatsApp: +1 (310) 392-0815
What Are the New Rules for International Students?
The Trump administration has finalized a Department of Homeland Security rule that changes how F international students, J exchange visitors, and certain other nonimmigrants are admitted to the United States.
Under the previous system, many F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors were admitted for Duration of Status, commonly displayed as “D/S” on Form I-94.
The new rule replaces Duration of Status with a fixed period of admission and establishes an Extension of Stay procedure for students and exchange visitors who need additional time. The final rule was published on July 17, 2026, and is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
This means that many international students may receive a specific expiration date on Form I-94 rather than being admitted for as long as they continue to maintain student status.
How Long Can International Students Stay Under the New Rule?
For many F and J nonimmigrants, the authorized period of admission will be connected to the length of the approved academic or exchange program, subject to a maximum period established by the rule.
The widely discussed limit is generally no more than four years at a time.
However, four years is a maximum—not an automatic period granted to every international student.
A student’s actual authorized stay may depend on:
The length of the approved academic program
The dates listed on Form I-20
Passport validity
The student’s visa classification
The expiration date recorded on Form I-94
The student’s immigration history
The decision made at the port of entry
Other applicable restrictions
For example, a student accepted into a three-year acting program may receive an authorized period related to that program rather than automatically receiving four full years.
Why Is September 15, 2026 Important?
The final rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. It also includes transition provisions for individuals who are currently admitted for Duration of Status.
This date is especially important for international students considering:
Transferring to a different school
Starting a new academic program
Changing educational levels
Traveling internationally
Extending an academic program
Applying for practical training
Remaining beyond the date recorded on Form I-94
Students considering a transfer to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory should begin the admissions and transfer process early rather than waiting until the effective date.
Can I Transfer My F-1 Status Before September 15, 2026?
Eligible F-1 students may transfer between SEVP-certified schools after receiving acceptance from the new institution and completing the required SEVIS transfer process.
To transfer to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, a student will generally need to:
Apply to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory.
Meet the school’s admissions requirements.
Receive an official acceptance letter.
Submit passport and immigration documents.
Provide evidence of sufficient financial support.
Ask the current school’s DSO to transfer the SEVIS record.
Select an appropriate SEVIS transfer-release date.
Receive an updated or transfer-pending Form I-20.
Enroll in the required full course of study.
The exact transfer process may depend on the student’s SEVIS status, program dates, employment authorization, immigration history, and travel plans.
Why Should F-1 Students Start the Transfer Process Early?
An F-1 student generally cannot complete a SEVIS transfer until they have been accepted by the transfer-in school.
Beginning early provides enough time to:
Complete the admissions application
Submit academic records
Provide financial documentation
Review passport and immigration records
Receive an admissions decision
Coordinate with the current school’s DSO
Select the appropriate transfer-release date
Receive a new Form I-20
Prepare for the program start date
Waiting until September 15, 2026 may create complications involving admissions deadlines, SEVIS control, employment authorization, international travel, or the new program start date.
Can Accepted Students Study in Los Angeles for Up to Three Years?
Students accepted into an eligible Los Angeles Acting Conservatory program may pursue acting studies lasting up to three years.
To remain lawfully enrolled throughout the program, an F-1 student must continue to:
Maintain valid F-1 status
Enroll in a full course of study
Attend the school listed in SEVIS
Make satisfactory academic progress
Follow attendance requirements
Avoid unauthorized employment
Keep immigration documents valid
Comply with DHS, USCIS, SEVP, and school requirements
Acceptance into the school does not independently guarantee permission to remain in the United States for three years.
The student’s lawful stay depends on continued maintenance of F-1 status and the authorized admission period shown on Form I-94 and other immigration records.
What Was Duration of Status?
Under the previous system, many F-1 students were admitted for Duration of Status rather than until a specific calendar date.
Their Form I-94 commonly displayed “D/S.”
An eligible student could generally remain in the United States while the student:
Pursued an approved full course of study
Made normal progress toward program completion
Maintained an active SEVIS record
Followed F-1 employment restrictions
Participated only in authorized practical training
Otherwise maintained lawful status
The new rule replaces this structure with a fixed admission period and a formal Extension of Stay procedure.
What Is Form I-94 and Why Does It Matter?
Form I-94 is the official arrival and departure record showing a nonimmigrant’s authorized period of admission.
Under the former Duration of Status system, many F-1 students had “D/S” recorded on Form I-94.
Under the fixed-period system, affected students may receive a specific expiration date.
International students should therefore monitor both:
The program end date on Form I-20
The expiration date on Form I-94
These dates may not always be the same.
A school may update a qualifying student’s Form I-20 and SEVIS record, but students should not assume that this automatically extends the expiration date on Form I-94.
Will Schools Still Be Able to Extend a Student’s Program?
Schools do not issue or extend visas. F-1 visas are issued by U.S. embassies and consulates and are used to request admission to the United States.
Under the previous Duration of Status framework, a Designated School Official could extend an eligible student’s program end date in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I-20 when more time was academically necessary.
Under the fixed-admission system, a school may still be able to update qualifying academic and SEVIS information. However, that update may not independently extend the student’s authorized stay beyond the expiration date on Form I-94.
A student who needs additional time may also need to request an Extension of Stay directly from USCIS.
What Happens if a Student Needs More Time?
A student who cannot complete an academic program before the fixed admission period expires may need to apply to USCIS for an Extension of Stay.
Depending on the requirements and the student’s circumstances, the application may require:
A USCIS application
An updated Form I-20
Evidence of continued enrollment
Academic transcripts
Proof of satisfactory academic progress
Financial documentation
An explanation of why more time is necessary
Government filing fees
Additional supporting evidence
USCIS review and approval
Students should begin planning well before the expiration date on Form I-94.
Waiting until the last minute may place the student’s status, enrollment, employment authorization, or travel plans at risk.
Does the Four-Year Cap Mean Students Must Leave After Four Years?
Not necessarily.
The fixed admission period determines how long a student is initially authorized to remain. A student who needs more time may be able to apply for an Extension of Stay.
However, an extension is not automatic.
The student may need to demonstrate that:
The student maintained lawful F-1 status
The extension request is academically necessary
The delay was caused by qualifying circumstances
The student continues to make normal academic progress
The student has sufficient financial support
The request was filed within the applicable deadline
USCIS would determine whether additional time is approved.
How Could the Rule Affect Current F-1 Students?
The effect on students already in the United States will depend on the rule’s transition provisions and each student’s individual immigration circumstances.
Important factors may include:
The current program end date on Form I-20
The student’s most recent entry
The current Form I-94
A planned school transfer
A change in educational level
International travel
A program extension
CPT or OPT
An application to change status
Students should not assume that every current F-1 student will receive the same transition treatment or expiration date.
How Does an F-1 School Transfer Work?
The SEVIS transfer-release date determines when control of the student’s SEVIS record moves from the current school to the new school.
Before the transfer-release date, the current school generally controls the record. After that date, the transfer-in school can access the record and issue the appropriate Form I-20.
Federal guidance also states that transferring F-1 students must report to the transfer-in DSO no later than 15 days after the new program start date.
Students should coordinate carefully with both schools, particularly when travel or employment is involved.
Can an F-1 Transfer Affect Employment?
Yes. A school transfer may affect employment authorization connected to the student’s previous institution.
Federal guidance states that an F-1 student with qualifying authorization may generally work at the transfer-out school only until the SEVIS transfer-release date, not afterward. A student who needs off-campus employment after transferring may need authorization connected to the transfer-in school.
Students should speak with their DSO before transferring if they are participating in or considering:
On-campus employment
Curricular Practical Training
Optional Practical Training
Another type of employment authorization
Students should not continue working unless their employment remains properly authorized.
How Does the Rule Affect Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training may remain available to qualifying F-1 students, but the fixed-period system may require students to plan their immigration timelines more carefully.
Students considering OPT should monitor:
Their academic program end date
The OPT application window
Their requested employment dates
The OPT recommendation on Form I-20
Their Employment Authorization Document
The expiration date on Form I-94
Any required Extension of Stay application
A transfer may also affect practical training connected to the previous school.
How Does the Rule Affect J-1 Exchange Visitors?
The fixed-period rule also applies to J exchange visitors who were traditionally admitted for Duration of Status.
J-1 categories may include:
Professors
Research scholars
Physicians
Interns
Trainees
Specialists
Government visitors
Other approved exchange participants
J-1 visitors generally coordinate with their designated program sponsors rather than an F-1 school DSO.
SEVIS is used to track and monitor F, M, and J nonimmigrants and their dependents throughout approved participation in the United States.
What Should International Students Do Before September 15, 2026?
Review Your Form I-20
Confirm that your name, school, educational level, financial information, and program dates are accurate.
Check Your Form I-94
Review your electronic arrival record and determine whether it displays “D/S” or a specific expiration date.
Speak With Your DSO
Ask how the new rule could affect your transfer, program completion, employment, travel, or need for an extension.
Apply to the New School Early
A student must generally receive acceptance from the transfer-in institution before the SEVIS transfer can be completed.
Track Every Deadline
Monitor:
Program start and end dates
SEVIS transfer-release dates
Form I-94 expiration dates
Practical-training deadlines
Extension filing deadlines
Passport expiration
Visa expiration
Keep Copies of Your Immigration Records
Maintain copies of:
Every Form I-20
Passport identification page
F-1 visa
Form I-94
Acceptance letters
Academic transcripts
Financial evidence
Employment authorization documents
Communications with school officials
Why Transfer to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory?
The Los Angeles Acting Conservatory provides structured professional acting education for eligible international students who want to study in Los Angeles.
Students may receive training in:
Acting for Film and Television
Scene Study
Meisner Technique
Strasberg Method
Stella Adler Technique
Stanislavski Technique
Uta Hagen Technique
Improvisation
Voice and Speech
Movement
On-Camera Audition Technique
Cold Reading
Business of Acting
Professional Career Development
Our programs are designed for serious international actors who want to strengthen their craft and prepare for professional opportunities in film, television, theater, streaming, and digital media.
Why Study Acting in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles is one of the world’s leading centers for film, television, streaming, theater, commercials, and digital entertainment.
International acting students may benefit from:
Professional on-camera instruction
Film and television scene work
Audition preparation
Live performance opportunities
Industry-focused education
Professional portfolio development
Career preparation
Exposure to the Los Angeles entertainment community
Students can develop their acting craft in the same city where major entertainment projects are written, cast, produced, and filmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can international students stay under the new rule?
Many F and J nonimmigrants may be admitted for the length of their approved programs, subject to a maximum period established by the final rule. The actual authorized period may be shorter than four years.
When does the new rule take effect?
The final rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
Can I transfer my F-1 status before September 15, 2026?
Eligible F-1 students may transfer their SEVIS records to another SEVP-certified school after receiving acceptance and completing the required transfer process.
Can I transfer to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory?
Students who meet the school’s admissions requirements and remain eligible for an F-1 transfer may apply to transfer their active SEVIS records to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory.
Can accepted students study for up to three years?
Students accepted into an eligible acting program may study for up to three years, provided they maintain valid F-1 status and satisfy all academic and immigration requirements.
Does acceptance guarantee a three-year stay?
No. Acceptance permits an eligible student to begin enrollment and Form I-20 processing. Continued lawful stay depends on maintaining F-1 status and remaining within the authorized admission period.
Is transferring an F-1 visa the same as receiving a new visa?
No. A school transfer involves the student’s SEVIS record and an updated Form I-20. A visa is an entry document issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Can students request more time after four years?
Students who need additional time may be required to submit an Extension of Stay request to USCIS. Approval is not automatic.
Apply to Transfer Before September 15, 2026
International students interested in continuing their acting education in Los Angeles should begin the admissions and SEVIS transfer process now.
Accepted and eligible students may transfer their active SEVIS records to the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory and pursue an eligible acting program lasting up to three years while properly maintaining F-1 status.
Contact the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory
Los Angeles Acting Conservatory
10820 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone and WhatsApp: +1 (310) 392-0815
Contact our International Admissions Team for information about:
F-1 school transfers
International student admissions
Form I-20 requirements
Acting programs in Los Angeles
SEVIS transfer procedures
Contact Our International Admissions Team
If you're currently studying in the United States and would like to transfer your F-1 visa before September 15, 2026, we are here to help.
Los Angeles Acting Conservatory
10820 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Learn more about:
F-1 Visa Programs
Transfer Your F-1 Visa
Study Acting in Hollywood
International Student Admissions
Acting School in Los Angeles
Acting Programs for International Students
Learn more about:
F-1 Visa Acting Programs
International Student Admissions
Study Acting in Hollywood
Transfer Your F-1 Visa
Acting School in Los Angeles for International Students
Contact Our International Admissions Team-
If you're currently studying in the United States and would like to transfer your F-1 visa to a professional acting conservatory, we're here to help.
Los Angeles Acting Conservatory
10820 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Learn more about:
F-1 Visa Acting Programs
International Student Admissions
Study Acting in Hollywood
Transfer Your F-1 Visa
Acting School for International Students
International Students| study acting in Hollywood
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