The United States is moving closer to implementing a major change to its international student visa system, as a proposed rule restricting F-1 visa holders to fixed periods of stay has reached final review at the White House.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) submitted the final regulation to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on May 5, marking one of the final administrative steps before publication in the Federal Register.
If adopted largely as proposed, the rule would replace the long-standing “duration of status” framework, under which international students can remain in the US for as long as they maintain full-time academic enrollment. Instead, most F-1 students would be granted an initial stay period of up to four years, after which they would need to apply for an extension through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The policy was first introduced during President Donald Trump’s earlier administration but faced strong opposition from universities, professional associations, and healthcare institutions, which argued that it would create unnecessary bureaucracy and disrupt student progression.
Sector observers expect the final regulation to preserve most elements of the original proposal. According to international education association NAFSA, students pursuing academic pathways longer than four years—including many PhD candidates, medical trainees, and dual-degree participants—could face increased uncertainty and additional filing costs.
The proposal may also affect undergraduate students who extend their studies beyond the traditional four-year timeline, as well as those intending to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a post-study work scheme frequently used by international graduates.
Additional restrictions reportedly included in the proposed rule would limit graduate students’ ability to transfer institutions or academic programs, restrict undergraduate transfers during the first year of study, and reduce the grace period after program completion from 60 days to 30 days.
The regulation could also prevent F-1 students from enrolling in a second degree at the same or lower academic level after completing a program.
Alongside F-1 reforms, the DHS proposal contains changes affecting J-1 exchange visitors and foreign media visa holders.
The US government has framed the changes as measures to strengthen immigration oversight, improve tracking of nonimmigrant visa holders, and enhance national security.
However, critics argue that the new framework may further complicate an already challenging visa environment for international students. Institutions have warned of increased administrative burdens, higher processing volumes, and additional delays in immigration adjudication.
The timing is particularly sensitive, as the US recorded a decline in international student enrollment after several years of recovery. Stakeholders have cautioned that additional visa uncertainty could weaken the country’s competitiveness against alternative destinations such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Following OMB clearance, the final rule is expected to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
- Log in to post comments