Overview
- The Department of Homeland Security finalized the rule on Thursday, July 16, replacing the 1978 duration‑of‑status system with fixed admission periods for F, J and I visas.
- Under the rule, most students and exchange visitors will be admitted for up to four years and journalists for up to 240 days with a 90‑day limit for Chinese nationals.
- Anyone who needs to stay beyond the fixed period must apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services using a formal extension process that includes biometric collection, background checks and fraud screening.
- The policy cuts the F‑1 post‑completion grace period from 60 days to 30 days, tightens rules on transfers and program changes, and could force doctoral students and users of Optional Practical Training to seek federal approval mid‑program.
- The rule must be published in the Federal Register and will take effect 60 days after publication while it is subject to mandatory congressional review, and universities and advocacy groups say they are assessing legal challenges and warning of harms to U.S. enrollment and research competitiveness.