On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the publication of a final rule that officially eliminates the “duration of status” for nonimmigrant students (F visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and foreign media representatives (I visas). The new rule will limit the length of stay for F-1 and J-1 candidates for the length of their specific program, not to exceed a maximum period of four years.
By way of background, since 1978, foreign students have been admitted into the U.S. for an unspecified period, enabling thousands to become “forever students” by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid departure. The final rule ends this practice through several major reforms.
Fixed Admission Caps
F-1 and J-1 candidates will be admitted only for the length of their specific program, not to exceed a maximum period of four years.
Mandatory Federal Extensions
Visa holders requiring additional time to complete an academic program must formally apply for an Extension of Stay directly through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This transitions oversight from university staff back to federal authorities and subjects applicants to biometric vetting, background checks, and fraud screenings.
Reduced Departure Grace Period
The time allowed for F-1 students to prepare for departure, transfer schools, or change status following graduation is reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
Program Change Restrictions
The rule introduces strict limitations on academic changes.
The final rule will be published in the Federal Register in the next few days. The rule will go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Current nonimmigrant visa holders residing in the U.S. under the previous “duration of status” policy will transition to the new system automatically, with their authorized stay capped at a maximum of four years from the effective date of this rule. The agency said the change would address national security concerns connected to the student visa program. The rule is the latest Trump administration policy change buffeting the roughly 1.2 million international students pursuing degrees in the U.S.
Our team will continue to monitor changes in immigration policies related to international students. Please reach out to anyone on our legal team with questions.