US student visa now limited to duration of programme effective September

The United States (US) student visas will now be limited to the duration of the programme, which is four years in most cases, while those enrolled in language programmes will be limited to 24 months unless they successfully apply for an extension.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalised this rule ending the long-standing Duration of Status (D/S) policy for international students on F and J visas, replacing it with fixed admission periods that will require many students to apply for extensions to complete their studies or access post-study work opportunities.

The change marks one of the most significant reforms to the US international student visa system in decades and is expected to create uncertainty for students whose programmes extend beyond four years or who intend to remain in the country for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.

The final rule will take effect on September 15, 2026, based on only minor changes to the proposal first released in August 2025, despite strong opposition from universities, scientific organisations, businesses, and education groups.

Students must apply for extensions

Students wishing to remain in the US beyond the date shown on their Form I-94 will now have to apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an extension of stay.

If an extension is refused, students and their dependants must leave the country immediately. Those who remain beyond the authorised period will begin accruing unlawful presence the following day, potentially triggering a three to ten-year ban on re-entering the United States.

Unlike the current system, there will be no grace period after an extension request is denied at the end of the initial four-year admission period.

NAFSA warns of uncertainty

As reported by ICEF Monitor, Fanta Aw, executive director and chief executive officer of NAFSA, criticised the policy, saying it would create unnecessary bureaucracy and discourage international students from choosing the US.

“DHS’s decision to end Duration of Status is a misguided and unnecessary policy shift that injects uncertainty, bureaucracy, and fear into a system that has long worked effectively. It is a solution in search of a problem.”

She noted that international students are already among the most closely monitored non-immigrant groups in the country through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and existing partnerships between educational institutions and the federal government.

“This rule introduces unnecessary government intrusion into academic decision-making. Requiring students and scholars to seek approval to extend their academic programme, change majors, or pursue the next level of study places life-changing educational decisions in the hands of an already overburdened immigration system rather than educators and institutions.”

She also warned that the policy could weaken the country’s ability to attract global talent.

“At a time when global competition for talent is intensifying, this policy sends exactly the wrong message. It tells the world’s brightest students and scholars that the United States is becoming less welcoming, less predictable, and less committed. This is not just bad for higher education; it is bad for American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.”

Impact on universities and students

According to NAFSA, students already in the US under the current Duration of Status system on September 15, 2026, will not immediately receive a date-specific admission period. However, they will still be required to apply for an extension before the earlier of their programme completion date or four years after the rule takes effect. Students who leave and re-enter the US after that date will receive a new I-94 with a fixed expiry date.

The changes may also discourage prospective international students from enrolling in US institutions, particularly those intending to use Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation or those pursuing postgraduate degrees that typically last longer than four years.

A 2025 survey by NAFSA and the Institute for Progress found that 54 per cent of international students would not have chosen the United States if the OPT pathway had not been available.

Many graduate students may need to apply for visa extensions before completing their studies, while those planning to transition to OPT will also require approval to remain in the country. If an extension is refused, they will be unable to complete their degree or begin post-study employment in the United States.

The rule also introduces new academic restrictions. Students on F and J visas will no longer be able to change academic programmes freely, while graduates wishing to begin another programme must enrol at a higher educational level.

This policy comes as USCIS faces record processing backlogs for immigration applications. Adding extension requests from hundreds of thousands of international students is expected to place further pressure on the system, potentially resulting in lengthy delays.