New F-1 Visa Rule 2026 Pelican Programs Continue as Usual

Big immigration news for international students: on July 17, 2026 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule that ends the decades old "duration of status" framework for F-1 students. And the most important part for anyone planning flight training with us: Pelican Flight Training operates exactly as before.

What Is Changing

Starting September 15, 2026, F-1 students will be admitted for a fixed period based on their program length, up to a maximum of four years, instead of the open ended duration of status. Students already in the U.S. on duration of status can stay through the Program End Date on their I-20, or through the end of their OPT or STEM OPT, without filing an extension, up to the transition deadline set in the rule.

What Stays the Same at Pelican

• We remain SEVP certified and continue to issue both F-1 and M-1 Forms I-20.
• CPT and OPT remain available to F-1 students in the professional pilot program: the rule does not eliminate them.
• Our Full Professional Pilot Program runs 15 months, so the four year ceiling is not a constraint for our students. Under the new rule your admission period is tied to your program length, which means students who go on to post completion OPT will file an Extension of Stay with USCIS. Our Designated School Official handles that step with you.
• Enrollment, timelines and program structure are unchanged.

We have published a full plain English breakdown of the rule: what changed, the before and after comparison, CPT and OPT details, and answers to the most common questions. Read it here: New 2026 F-1 Student Visa Rule Explained and Why Nothing Changes at Pelican.

Planning your training or have questions about your specific situation? Our admissions team and Designated School Official will map your timeline around the new rules: apply now or contact us.