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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has finalized a major overhaul of its immigration rules, ending the decades-old “duration of status” system for foreign students, exchange visitors and international media representatives.
Under the new policy, holders of F, J and I visas will no longer be allowed to stay in the United States for an open-ended period tied to their studies or work. Instead, they will receive fixed admission periods. Anyone who needs more time must file a formal Extension of Stay application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, and is set to take effect on Sept. 15, 2026, pending congressional review. It cleared White House review in mid-June before being approved for publication.
DHS Says Change Will Strengthen Security
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin described the move as a long-overdue security reform.
“For nearly half a century, the outdated ‘duration of status’ system has compromised national security and created an environment ripe for immigration fraud,” Mullin said.
He argued that the previous system allowed some foreign nationals to remain in the country indefinitely by repeatedly enrolling in new academic programs instead of leaving when their original studies ended.
DHS said researchers identified more than 2,000 people who entered the United States on F visas between 2000 and 2010 and were still listed as active F-1 students as recently as April. The department says those cases show how a visa intended for temporary education was sometimes used to extend residency for years.
Fixed Time Limits for Visa Holders
Under the new framework, F and J visa holders will generally be admitted for the length of their academic or exchange program, up to a maximum of four years, followed by a 30-day grace period. That cuts the previous 60-day grace period in half.
Journalists and other foreign media representatives holding I visas will generally be admitted for up to 240 days. Chinese journalists will face a shorter 90-day limit, although extensions will still be available regardless of nationality.
The rule also tightens academic flexibility for graduate students already studying in the United States. F-1 students enrolled in graduate programs generally won’t be allowed to change their field of study. Those who complete one degree may only begin another at a higher academic level while keeping their F-1 status. Moving to another school will also require prior approval instead of happening automatically.
USCIS Takes Over Extension Decisions
One of the biggest changes shifts authority away from university international offices and back to federal immigration officials.
Students and exchange visitors who need additional time must now apply directly to USCIS using Form I-539. The process includes application fees, biometric screening, background checks and fraud reviews. If an extension request is denied, the individual will have to leave the United States.
Critics Say Graduates Will Face New Pressure
The shorter grace period has drawn criticism from immigration advocates and policy researchers.
David J. Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, told Reuters:
“International students, many of whom will have spent years in the USA, will now have just 30 days to find an employer to sponsor them or immediately be turned into illegal immigrants. Have these people no understanding of how life works?”
Millions Could Be Affected
The new rule applies to a large share of temporary visitors to the United States.
According to DHS figures cited in earlier reports, more than 1.8 million student visa holders were in the country in 2024. They were joined by over 500,000 exchange visitors and more than 37,000 foreign journalists.
The department says monitoring compliance under the old system had become increasingly difficult because of the large number of people covered by the program.
Transition Period Before the New Rules Take Effect
People already admitted under the old duration-of-status system will generally be allowed to remain through their current program or for up to four additional years under transition provisions included in the rule.
Universities and exchange organizations are now preparing for the changes, including updates to SEVIS record-keeping and increased federal oversight of student enrollment, financial resources and visa compliance.
Unless Congress blocks the measure, the fixed-term visa system will take effect nationwide in mid-September.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah