The United States is moving to limit how long international students can stay, replacing the open-ended “duration of status” system with a fixed admission period capped at four years.
The change comes from a Department of Homeland Security proposed rule.
As of June 2026 it is not yet in force, but the final version has cleared White House review and could take effect later this year.
What is changing
The rule ends “duration of status” (D/S) for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I-visa foreign media, giving them a fixed end date on their I-94 instead.
Per the proposed rule, the main changes are:
- Fixed admission period: Program length or four years, whichever is shorter.
- Formal extensions: Staying longer requires filing Form I-539 with USCIS, a fee, and biometrics.
- Shorter grace period: The post-study departure window drops from 60 days to 30 days.
- English-language cap: English-language training would be limited to 24 months total.
Students from China, India, and the Gulf — who make up much of the US student population — are among those affected.
PhD candidates and others in programs longer than four years would need a formal extension before finishing.
Where things stand
The rule is not final and not yet in effect. DHS published the proposal on 28 August 2025 and took comments through 29 September 2025, per the official DHS notice.
A final rule went to the White House Office of Management and Budget on 5 May 2026, and its regulatory review concluded on 17 June 2026 — the last step before publication in the Federal Register, per the OMB/OIRA review record and ICEF Monitor.
Once published, it would typically take effect around 60 days later, pointing to a possible effective date in late 2026.
What students should do
Nothing has changed yet, but a few habits will protect you if the rule takes effect:
- Track your I-94 date after every US entry, since admission would end on a fixed date.
- Plan extensions early if your program runs beyond four years.
- Depart within the grace period, which may shrink to 30 days.
- Confirm changes only through DHS and USCIS, not social media.
If you are booking travel around your studies, compare fares to US hubs like New York and Los Angeles, or track flights using the Wego flight tracker.
Sources
- DHS Study in the States — Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Fixed Time Period of Admission
- Federal Register — Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission (proposed rule)
- OMB/OIRA — Conclusion of EO 12866 Regulatory Review (RIN 1653-AA95, concluded 17 June 2026)
- NAFSA — DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status
- USCIS — Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- ICEF Monitor — US Moves to End Duration of Status for F, J, and I Visas
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
