International Student Services

Whitworth University provides comprehensive international student services through formal admissions support, orientation, employment guidance, immigration advising and documentation, and campus programming.

Important New Regulation: DHS Ends "Duration of Status" (D/S)

Background

In fall 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a federal rule change that would impact various important elements of international student immigration. In particular, the proposed rule would end “duration of status” for individuals granted entry to the U.S. in F-1 status. F-1 is the status held by nearly all Whitworth international students.

"Duration of status" refers to the period of lawful stay a F-1 student is granted upon entry to the U.S. The DHS rule would replace "duration of status" with a fixed end date that aligns with the academic program length.

Current Status of New Regulation

• July 17, 2026: The DHS rule is officially published in the Federal Register.
• Sept. 15, 2026: The new DHS rule will go into effect on this date.

Summary of Rule Changes

• Replace “duration of status” (D/S) with a specific end date that aligns with the academic program length or four years, whichever is shorter.
• Require students to file formal Extension of Stay (EOS) application and pay filing fee to USCIS in order to extend lawful stay in the U.S.
• Shorten the current F-1 student grace period from 60 days to 30 days.
• F-1 undergraduate students would be restricted from changing their major/program or transferring to another U.S. institution during their first year.
• F-1 graduate students would be restricted from changing their program or transferring to another U.S. institution at any point in their studies.
• Prohibit F-1 students who have previously completed an academic program in the U.S. from pursuing another academic program at the same or lower education level.

What You Need to Know Now

• The current "duration of status" system remains in place until Sept. 15, 2026.
• Your existing immigration documents and any authorized employment (on-campus work, CPT, OPT) continue under the current rules.
• Review your current I-20 end date and make sure it is accurate. If you need more time to complete your degree, discuss your degree plan with your faculty advisor and the registrar's office.
• Review the major(s) currently listed on your I-20. If your major(s) is incorrect, or you plan to change your major, it is recommended you do so by Sept. 1, 2026. You must contact an international student advisor (see below) to change your major on your immigration record (I-20).
• Plan international travel carefully. If you intend to travel outside the U.S., review your documents carefully to ensure they are valid, you have a recent travel signature on your I-20, and you understand re-entry requirements. If U.S. federal policies change while you are outside the U.S., it could affect your re-entry to the U.S.

What to Expect from Whitworth

We are now in the transition period between the publishing of the new rule and the date in which it will take effect (Sept. 15, 2026). During this period, Whitworth will review the changes in detail to assess its impact on our students.

Once we have an accurate understanding of the policy changes, Whitworth will:

• Send an email update directly to all international students.
• Post detailed guidance on this international student services webpage.
• Hold in-person Q&A sessions starting this fall semester once students have returned to campus.

International Student Advisors

The following Whitworth officials are recognized by the U.S. government as Designated School Officials (DSO) and as such are the only administrators authorized to provide formal immigration guidance and documentation:

• Nick McKinney | Assistant Provost for Academic Administration
  • Office: McEachran Hall 219
  • Phone: 509.777.4596
• Trina Allen | Associate Director of International Admissions
  • Office: Undergraduate Admissions (Viren House)
  • Phone: 509.777.3385
• Kendra Guttridge | Assistant Director for International Students & Multicultural Programs
  • Office: Hendrick Hall 103
  • Phone: 509.777.3716

Resources

Current students are encouraged to utilize the following resource pages to learn more about key topics relevant to international students.